Conversation · Blue door

You see a heavy steel door with a prominent dimple lock. It's painted blue.

"This door is connected to the one upstairs. But how do we get through?"

"Have you tried using the key?" The lieutenant nods toward the lock. "I suspect that will work."

"There must be a key somewhere," the lieutenant says. "Probably somewhere in the Whirling? It's not too important. We can get in and out using the roof door."

Try the 'Workshop Spare' key on the door.

The key fits the dimple lock. It takes a bit of effort to turn it after all these years, but then -- the lock clicks.

Dust rises before you like mist. A tomb? Haunted by regal spirits from distant ages...

No. Smells like engine grease and cut wood. A workshop.

The darkness before you smells like engine grease and cut wood...

The key fits the dimple lock. It takes a bit of effort to turn it after all these years, but then -- the lock clicks.

The key fits the dimple lock. It takes a bit of effort to turn it after all these years, but then -- the lock clicks.

[Leave.]

Touch the door.

The cobalt blue surface feels rough to touch. The stainless steel door is flush with its frame on every side.

Old cobalt paint. Rough on the fingers. Forty, fifty years since this was painted, maybe?

It leads to a side-building, adjacent to this one. The old building next to this, half ruined. Whatever is behind it must be older.

"I wonder where this door leads."

"So do I." The lieutenant touches the lock. "It's locked -- and sturdy. The paint job looks old. From before the cafeteria."

"We're not getting past it without a key. We should ask the bartender..." He corrects himself. "The cafeteria manager."

"You do?" The lieutenant regards you with patient scepticism. "It's a door in the back of the kitchen. Why do you care where it leads?"

The winch, outside, in the back yard. Remember? No? Your fingers do!

"There was a winch outside, on the roof. Like that of a small elevator."

"Hmm... Well, if there was a winch, I suppose we could look into it. As a... side-investigation."

It's hardly a side-investigation. You already have a name for it.

"The door and the main investigation will merge into a stereo-investigation."

"If you say so." He looks at the door, then you. "Garte is the person to ask about this -- the cafeteria manager."

"No, the door is a mega-investigation."

"Hardly." He looks at the door, then you. "Anyway, Garte is the person to ask about this -- the cafeteria manager."

"It's hardly worth a title..." He looks at the door, then you. "Anyway, Garte is the person to ask about this -- the cafeteria manager."

"Yes, a mini side-investigation."

He looks at you, then at the door. "Garte is the person to ask about this -- the cafeteria manager."

"Out of duty. We may find something pertinent to the investigation."

"Hmm... Yes, I suppose it's worth seeing if we can get in. Just to be thorough. As a... side-investigation."

"You're right. It's not important. Let's go."

The door stands silent, unmoved by your words. You still feel like you should look into it if you get the chance...

"I am drawn to its cobalt blue."

"It is quite pretty. I suppose we could look into it. As a... side-investigation."

"It's part of the Whirling-in-Rags. There's something about this place that makes me want to know."

"Eccentric. But okay, I suppose we could look into it. As a... side-investigation."

He's not bothered by your eccentricity. He seems genuinely intrigued himself.

Your words fail to even echo against the door's implacable steel.

"I'll be back, door. Mark my words." [Leave.]

The door stands silent, unmoved by your words.

Try to push on the door.

The door does not budge.

A challenge!

No, it's not.

You're right. The door looks positively immutable. You could never get it open using force.

Pull on the door -- hard.

The steel doesn't even tremble.

Put your weight into it.

Now you're hanging from the handle. The door remains immobile.

Okay -- it was a challenge and you failed. What now, loser?

Give up.

It could be connected to the barred door upstairs.

You immediately feel drawn to the colour. Blue is for mystery.