The Spider Cliff Mysteries

The Spider Cliff Mysteries
   ▷ Story 2: The Mayor Misplaced
      ▷ Chapter 10: Self-discovery

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Transcript of this chapter:

barlow: This lack of sleep is really starting to catch up to me.
barlow: I... I can't feel my feet anymore. Maybe I should take a quick nap somewhere... yeah, I gotta find a place where no one will find me.
barlow: That's it... if I don't find Crystal in the next five seconds, I'm going to get some rest.
barlow: Oh, Crystal. I've been looking all over for... uh...
barlow: Whoa, you're not Crystal. You're not Crystal at all.
judge: Barlow Bean! Now is the time... the time to undo what hasn't been done!
barlow: I... I get it. I'm hallucinating from lack of sleep.
judge: Undo what hasn't been done!
barlow: You mean about the mayor's urn?
judge: No! I'm talking about what you haven't done! So many things that don't exist!
barlow: Oh. I was kind of hoping this was going to make sense.
barlow: I don't think you're really not real.
judge: I... um, I'm not...
judge: What you just said is more confusing than anything I was going to say.
barlow: So you are real.
judge: I'm a real phantom of your imagination. I'm real only in your mind at this precise time. That I'm standing here in reality is dependant on your mental state.
barlow: This is getting way too confusing.
judge: If your eyes betray you, pluck them out! If your arm betrays you, cut it off! If your passion betrays you...
barlow: Okay, I get the picture.
barlow: How do I undo something that hasn't been done?
judge: You can't undo it, so it will be undone for all time.
barlow: But I haven't done anything yet!
judge: Haven't you?
barlow: I know what this is about. Look at you... Crystal's body with the judge's head. Obviously, I'm supposed to come to a decision about her, like about letting her stay in town.
judge: Very good. And do you know why you must undo your indecision?
barlow: Um... no. Wait, I didn't quite catch that.
judge: If you fall in love with her, eventually you will need to kill her.
barlow: I don't get this! Why does everyone think I'm falling in love with her?! That hasn't even crossed my mind!
judge: No? And I'm not part of your subconscious?
barlow: Okay, if you're part of my subconscious, I want to ask you something.
judge: You may ask me one question.
barlow: So I'm in love with Crystal?
judge: Only you can answer that.
barlow: But... I can't. I'm not, I don't think.
judge: Then only you CANNOT answer it.
barlow: Oh, you're hurting my brain! It's way past my bedtime!
barlow: Who took the mayor's urn?
judge: I cannot answer that question, but I CAN tell you the key to solving the crime.
barlow: I'm listening.
judge: The key to solving the crime is... procrastination.
barlow: Oh, I'm good at that.
judge: The longer you wait, the better your chances.
barlow: Am I ever going to leave Spider Cliff?
judge: As long as you remain so self-centered, you will never journey farther than your own skin.
barlow: Oh, how deep... and at the same time completely meaningless!
barlow: Only one question?
judge: Yes. That counts as your question.
barlow: Shoot! I wasn't ready!
judge: Obviously you were, or you wouldn't have asked your question.
barlow: But I could've asked for something useful, like how to find the mayor.
judge: You will find the mayor by doing what you do best... procrastinating.
barlow: Can I have one more question? Please?
judge: No. There is no need. The judgment has been passed, and I've already said everything that needed to be said.
barlow: You didn't say anything useful!
barlow: The mayor's urn is somewhere in this town, and I've got to find it! I'd like to know exactly WHERE it is!
barlow: I think I'm more confused now than I was before you appeared. And how can I kill the demon if I don't love her yet?
crystal: Love me yet?
barlow: That's just what the judge said. She was here just now. She had your body.
crystal: Ookaaay...
barlow: I don't love you!
crystal: Okay. We're going to start this conversation over. And this time, let's make it a little less crazy.
barlow: I mean, I wouldn't love having to kill you. Uh... yeah!
crystal: No, I heard what you said.
barlow: I wasn't talking to you.
crystal: I'm the only one here.
barlow: I was talking to the judge.
crystal: The judge. Barlow, the judge is a fortune-telling machine.
barlow: Yeah, I know.
crystal: Okay, we're going to start this conversation over.
barlow: Apparently, I love you. At least that's what the judge just told me. She had your body. She said only I can't know if I'm in love with you.
crystal: Okay... I'd really like to talk to the Barlow that makes sense. Is he available?
barlow: He's available, and very very embarrassed.
crystal: I'd like to start this conversation over with THAT Barlow.

General information on The Spider Cliff Mysteries

To fully enjoy this mystery series, you might need the latest version of the Flash plug-in. This comic operates in a manner reminiscent of adventure games, although the gaming aspect is far over-shadowed by the story. Basically, you experience the mystery through the viewpoint of the two protagonists. You can press the spacebar or click on the little arrows to progress through the conversation. At several points in the conversation, you will have several options for progressing through the branching storyline. Important clues (and false leads) are indicated by a clue icon that appears in the corner. These clues might or might not be important, but if you are a registered member, your account will keep track of your clues and your progress through the mysteries. Take it at your own speed, and have fun!