The Pigskin Drum

The Drum is a rowdy place. Just as you enter, one flatfoot, still in recognisable uniform, empties the contents of his stomach across the doorway. You step over the putrid puddle and into the taproom. Sawdust covers the floor and the smell of cheap booze and sweat hangs heavy in the air. There might be a kitchen in the back, some kind of fry-cock searing fish, eggs and meat, greasy over an open fire.

You order grog from a Spirited Waitress and scan the room. The Dicey Inspector sits alone, nursing a drink of her own. She recognises you and waves you over. ”Ah, First Officer, so glad you could make it. Don’t try the fish,” she says and pushes a half-eaten plate aside. Crisp, golden batter surrounds a lump of yellow meat. A limp fork sticks from the rubbery mass. ”Not until you had your fifth beer. Or tenth. Now, what can I do you for?”

{if Reputation = 3} When you broach the topic of your reputation – and her report – she only grins. ”Not here,” she whispers. ”And besides, the price’s gone up. 50 quid, and only cause I’m your best bud. But...” She takes a look around the Drum, as more and more flatfoots congregate inside the bar. ”But you might as well stand for a round. To say hello. And because someone like you always needs to make new friends.

{else} You are not sure, and you admit as much. She takes a look around the Drum, as more and more flatfoots congregate inside the bar. ”You might as well stand for a round. To say hello.” She smirks. ”A cheap way to make new friends, innit? To say nothing of keeping your old buddies happy – like yours truly.” {endif}

A few moments have passed

{if The Passage of Time > 95} Your Time in Barenhaven is running out {elseif The Passage of Time > 80} Your Time in Barenhaven is coming to a close {elseif The Passage of Time > 60} You have some Time left in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 50} Your Time in Barenhaven is half-way over {elseif The Passage of Time > 30} You have quite some Time left to spend in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 15} You have a lot of Time left to spend in Barenhaven {elseif The Passage of Time > 5} Your Time in Barehaven has just begun {else} You are now spending Time in Barenhaven {endif}

{if Favour: Greencoats = 1} The Dicey Inspector takes a sip from her mug and exhales. ”Speaking of yours truly. I owe you one, an’ I’ve not forgotten. So you’ve got friends when you need ‘em. Once. Or...” She traces the tip of her finger along the rim of her glass. ”Or we could bang it out.”

You raise an eyebrow.

”Not now. Not this scorenight, in fact. I’ve got – I’ve got nunya.” She swats the thought away. ”But it is an idea though, innit? A reward for good behaviour. Keep you on the straight ‘n’ narrow. Heh – straight and narrow.” She shakes her empty mug. ”Now how about that drink?” {else} The Dicey Inspector takes a sip and shakes her mug, now empty. ”So how about that drink?” {endif}