HT2004TrailsEnd
From Simreal
Trail's End
Location: Bus turnaround, Wild Basin (A)
Purpose
Transition group from the fun, easy cowboy theme into limbo. The "story" ends here, the trail is over.
The authorities are authoritative, the guides are depressed and concerned. The guests should be confused, disappointed, and perhaps worried. With any luck, the emergency lights will trigger some reflexive worry nerve, too.
Description
One or more guides, dressed in western costumes, as though the advertised plot had been intended to continue, milling about in the confusion or standing to one side getting a briefing or something.
A Men in Black feeling, with authorities in uniform managing everything. Key Point: The Authorities MUST come off as in COMPLETE control. We DO NOT want anyone to outright panic. They can wet themselves all they want, as long as they don't start a screaming riot.
Yellow emergency tape is blocking off the areas we don't want the group to go, such as the gravel driveway. Story circle will continue thusly:
- An introductory interaction to set things up.
- The actors at the Drop Point send Group A off immediately.
- The Guard at the Drop Point tell Group B and C the rules of the trail, modified to fit emergency feeling.
- The Extra Guide at the Drop Point tells Group C about the old stories about the Basin being an alien staging point, what the plot was going to be, stories of emergencies in the past, etc.
Intro Guests are hustled off the bus and off to one side.
The authorities aren't expecting the group. "Who forgot to send word back?" They move the incoming groups away from the bus and leaves them under guard. There should appear to be a meeting apart from the groups but within view and within hearing distance, argument/discussion ensues. Guides should be scattered around the edges of this meeting.
Dialogue concept: Weíre going to split you up so that youíll be safer. Weíve instructed the Haunted Trails staff members in what to do. You will trust them with your lives. They will take you to a safe place.
Group A A guide volunteers, but will only take six. Perhaps the guide is a reservist, convinces authority to let him do it. He pulls a rope, originally intended to be a Magic Lasso, out of a bucket/tub/whatever off to the side, "This will help us stay togther."
Work out best way to select the correct Group A from the mob.
Guard decides, "While we wait for him to come back for you, there are some basic things you should know about situations like this. <Insert Emergency-Modified Ruleset Here>."
Group B Wait for him to come back! He never does, but another guide appears/volunteers (late to the trail, lost, decides he can handle what the other guy couldn't, whatever).
Group C In the meantime, at least one extra guide should be on hand, mozies over to the remaining group to chat. Tells them about the intended plot (posse chasing demons), possibly stories of past emergencies. Foxfire: DUCK!
Details
Use crime tape on the rock driveway. Don't explain. If asked, the answer is, "What rock driveway? I don't know what you're talking about. Stay with your group." Guests are sent up the back trail instead.
Note that the exiting groups can also pass near/through this area... and add to the sense of a crowd.
Mention somewhere that the radios are not working correctly. This addresses why they don't inform the bus or call it back, and why they can't communicate with the building and other actors and security.
Our on-site security can be visible here when they aren't on the trail, the ambulance should be here, etc.
Guide Notes
Guides should be dressed in western gear but are no longer playing the part. Maybe try for a combination of nervous, confused, and frustrated. When cued, the next guide in the rotation should grab a rope and go up to the authority figure, where they point out that they know this area very well and volunteer to lead the group to the building.
Guides don't know anything about what is going on, other than rumours and wild guesses. As a guide, you weren't prepared for this! This is not what you expected, and you don't know what is going to happen.
We'll come up with a basic western plot that the guides can use as a framework to build upon, so they have something to talk about.
Actors
- (2..4) Authorities in Uniform
- (2..4) Authorities in lab coats (medical personnel)
- (1-X) Guard
- (1-X) Extra Guides/Cast members for Group C's story.
Note: This is a good place for small numbers of random extras for an evening. Jazz will be working with the people who should be military personnel to give them some ideas for realism - forcing the groups to stand together, in formations, buzz words, things like that.
Station
Required
- Rigged up to look like a crime scene with official vehicles, flashing lights, yellow tape, uniforms, and radios
- Porta-potty in turnaround for our incontinent guests. Don't make it stand out, but it should be available.
- Shelter (tent or otherwise) to fit about 50 people (packed like sardines)
- Sam's club: King Canopy, 10'x20' $150 or 12'x20' $160
- Stairs or Ramp to back trail
Desired
- White vehicles to act as visual blocks, barriers
- Suspicious covered lumps along driveway beyond crime tap
Props
Required
- All new ropes (100 8-foot ropes, at $0.40/ft = $320)
- Police-line tape, or other emergency tape
- Some portable chairs
Desired
- Hazmat and/or Medical Examiner magnetic signs
Effects
- Flashing Lights for vehicles
- Sawhorses with yellow construction lights (rent)
