ON HOLD ... I started this mostly for AntoniaT, but she has just informed me she has to take some time off. And no one else has shown interest. So ... I am putting it on hold until she comes back.

Post from Mark Thomas

2016: A genetically re-engineered measles virus, originally created as a cure for cancer, goes into human testing.

2017: Preliminary results are spectacular. FDA approval results in worldwide distribution of the "cure".

2018:

• The "cure" mutates within the immunized, becoming a lethal, highly contagious virus.
• The new virus comes to be called "Rabies 2.0" because, after it kills 90% of those immunized, the remaining 10% turn into predatory cannibals.
• The Press comes to call these mutated survivors "Darkseekers" because sunshine -- specifically the ultraviolet light in it -- causes them intense pain and, with long enough exposure, can kill them.
• And the illness quickly spreading across almost the whole of the planet comes to be called the "Darkseeker Plague".

9 April 2018, 8pm: The Darkseeker Plague reaches Portland, Oregon (the center point of our story).

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Henry's Tavern and Brewery, (Google Map link)
NW 12th and W Burnside, Portland, Oregon

As the sun falls behind the West Hills that loom over the downtown area, Mark Thomas looks down on the streets below from the southwest corner of "Henry's Tavern". As owner/operator of the brewery, Mark had shut up the popular drinking and eating establishment even before the first cases of infection were announced. With no family in the area, he offered refuge to those employees and friends who didn't feel safe out there in the world. Most wanted to be with their families; and others simply wanted to away from the city; but 9 people did stay in the Tavern with Mark:

• Mimi Bryce: Mark's friend; "Henry's waitress; PSU student.
• (To be named here as the position is filled).
• (To be named here as the position is filled).
• (To be named here as the position is filled).
• (To be named here as the position is filled).
• (To be named here as the position is filled).
• (To be named here as the position is filled).
• (To be named here as the position is filled).
• (To be named here as the position is filled).

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

To Join:

• PM me. Please, do not post your interest in the three threads here (IC, OOC, Characters).
• We will discuss the role play's direction and your character's involvement.
• Don't worry about being in a hurry to join. We only have 2 members at this point, and we are in no hurry.

Reply by AntoniaT for Mimi Bryce:

(OOC: At the end of this 1st reply, I include my initial Character Profile for all to see.)



I can't believe this is happening.

I mean, I have seen a few bird flu epidemics; ans that Zika virus thing from 2016 was scary, until they found a cure for it.

But THIS thing!

Everyone is dying!

And those who aren't are becoming rabid cannibalistic maniacs who are eating everyone else!

Thank god for Mark. He has put me up in one of the store rooms on the top floor. I had enough time to pack a couple of bags. My father had given and taught me to use a 5 shot Lady Smith .38 Special pistol, so I am armed. I can consistently put 4 out 5 rounds into a human shaped target at 20 feet in 15 seconds, but -- of course -- I've never shot it at anything living before, let alone a person.

Mark has 9 of us closed up inside the tavern. I know all of them by face or name and most of them by both, though I am only very familiar with about half of them.

I go to Mark, thank him for the thousandth time, and ask "What can I do to help?"



Place in the story:

• Waitress, Henry's Tavern and Brewery.
• Student, Portland State University (Environmental Sciences)
• Single. (Bisexual, btw.)
• No local family.

Physical Description:

• 24 years old.
• 5'6", 120#; slim and athletic; 34B-24-34.
• Redhead, hazel eyes.

Possessions:

• Couple of suitcases of clothes and personal possessions.
• .38 Special 5 shot revolver and box of ammo.
• Sleeping bag, sleeping pad.
• More to come.

Post from Mark Thomas

9 April 2018, ~9pm:
Henry's Tavern and Brewery, (Google Map link)
NW 12th and W Burnside, Portland, Oregon

ACTION: I gather my 9 fellow survivors in the 1st floor brew pub, but the noise from the mayhem outside the barricaded doors is overwhelming. We move the gathering up to a 5th floor store room (where we are in the process of setting up a sort of "Command Room").

We talk for an hour or so about our current situation (as outlined in the actions below). I see such a wide variety of expressions and reactions amongst the 9 people with me: fear and anger, despair and determination, panic and clear thinking. In my mind and to myself, I don't blame those who fear that this is the end of their world ... that they, too, will die a horrific death just as those on the streets below have in the days leading up to this one and very well might in the days to come.

I am one of them, to be honest. I may have a plan and a seemingly secure place in which to execute it, but ... I know we're all gonna die here eventually. I don't tell anyone that, of course. One of my greatest qualities as a business owner and people manager is my ability to convey confidence and assurance. These 9 people will never see me falter, I can guarantee that.

ACTION: The following conversation starters from Mark occur during the hour I mentioned above.

• "The only way we get through this safe and secure ... alive ... is organization and cooperation ... team work."
• "We need a complete inventory of everything we have in the building and on the grounds." (See more about this below).
• "We need to check every potential access into this building, too. Windows, doors, sewer man holes, the top of the walls. We HAVE to make sure that these Darkseekers cannot get inside, or we are all dead."
• "We need to set up living quarters for all of us up here on the 5th and 6th floors. The fire doors will add to our security at night. And we need to organize a rotating watch ... maybe 2 people awake at all times ... I don't know ... does anyone have that kind of military or security experience, to organize something like that?"
• "And we need to see what kind of help is available to us from the outside ... the government, the army, the national guard, the cops ... whoever."

Everyone pitches in, and we begin.

ABOUT INVENTORY: The result of the inventory we take is as follows. (I am sure I will add more areas of inventory as they are suggested to me.)

• Food:
  
  • Because we are a tavern, brewery, and restaurant, we have LOTS of food.
  • Meals: 1,000 servings
  • Well balanced, for now.
  • We don't have lots of "canned" or "packaged" food because our menu was relatively local, green, and sustainable.
  • We have more perishable food than we can possibly eat before it goes bad, though. Any ideas?
  • We have a freezer full of various items, but -- like I said -- the menu didn't call for lots of long lasting food stuffs.
• Drink:
  
  • Beer: lots!
  • Wine and liquors: enough.
  • Fresh water: we are still getting water from the City, which goes through our filtering system. We're good for now.
  • Juices and such: lots!
• Weapons: We could get very detailed about models and calibers of weapons, but we won't.
  
  • Rifles: 5; 2 with a scope. Ammunition: 200 rounds.
  • Shotguns: 3. Ammunition: 60 rounds.
  • Pistols: 6. Ammunitions: 120.
  • Bows: 2. Arrows: 20.
• Vehicles (in the parking area inside the "secured" parking area):
  
  • Compact electric delivery cars, 2. Charged.
  • Compact hybrid delivery vans, 2. Charged.
  • Personal vehicles: 4 (yet to be described). Fueled.
• Fuel and energy:
  
  • Electricity: still getting power from the grid.
  • Emergency generator, diesel. Fuel: 200 gallons.
  • Gasoline (stored): none. (See vehicles above.)
• Sleeping needs:
  
  • Everyone brought their own sleeping bag(s), and most brought some sort of pad.
  • It would be nice to have some real mattresses.
  • Mark has a fully furnished bedroom (for late work nights).
• Flashlights: 18 (of various types). Batteries: insufficient, depending upon use.
• Tools: the Brewery has a small shop, but its just your basic repair tools.

Reply for Mimi Bryce:

As a waitress (or is it FORMER waitress?) for "Henry's", I naturally volunteer for food and drink inventory.

We have LOTS of food, of course. There had been some disruptions in deliveries because of the fear of the Darkseeker virus, but as most of Henry's suppliers were local, we weren't as bothered as were some big businesses that sell nationally and internationally provided goods and foods.

Action: I take one of my concerns to Mark: perishable food.

We have lots of fresh vegetables and fruits, milk, meat (which could be frozen assuming the power stays on), and other products that will go bad before the 10 of us can eat them.

I have a partial solution, though: preservation. Meats and fruits could be dried/dehydrated, milk could be turned into cheese (not that I have the SLIGHTEST idea how that is done), and more.

I suggest that we discuss this with the others during our next get together.

In the mean time, I am ready and prepared to do what ever needs to be done. (OOC: That's my way of saying you can advance the story as you feel necessary without thinking you're moving to fast. Mimi is just going to concentrate on work until some situation arises that affects her.)

(OOC: What about fuel and power? Gasoline or diesel in delivery trucks, if we have any; emergency generators; solar panels?)

(OOC: I added vehicles and fuel/energy.)

Post from Mark Thomas

10 April 2018 (the next day): midday.
Henry's Tavern and Brewery, (Google Map link)
NW 12th and W Burnside, Portland, Oregon

ACTIONS/RESULTS:

• Everyone is staying busy:
  
  
  
  • 4 are working on better securing the perimeter.
  • 2 (including Mimi) are preserving food as best we can. (It won't change the number of meals available, but it will reduce the loss that would have occurred due to spoilage. Good call, Antonia/Mimi.)
  • 2 are collecting and organizing other resources.
  • And I am coordinating and helping anywhere that is needed.
• There is still some despair and resulting loss of efficiency, but I am still happy with the amount of work taking place. Considering the circumstances, we are working well.
• Nothing spectacular or concerning happens today.