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Previous chapters of the Vista Falls story:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!
Last time, after finding another mysterious bouquet of red roses at Mr. Dinello’s house, Mr. Dinello called the local florist, Bette Trellis, to see who could have sent the flowers. Mr. Dinello explained to Mr. Jaquith that he wasn’t able to get any helpful information from Miss Trellis. They discussed what the strange messages attached to the flowers could mean and wondered who was trying to tell them something. Meanwhile, at the movie theatre, the teens (minus Kate and Lucy who had gone home) were waiting for the movie to start. Blaine Bauer, a student at Vista Falls Junior High, made some rude comments to Vera and asked about Kate, but Vera ignored him. Just as the previews were about to start, the film broke and the screen was bright with light. Suddenly, as the theatre filled with the strong scent of roses, a voice boomed over the loudspeaker. The people in the theater began to panic. What did the teens do? Here’s what you decided.
Chapter 5: Movie Scar
By Joseph Crisalli
“This afternoon’s entertainment,” a man’s voice boomed. “Is brought to you by the Red Rose Rascal!”
With that, the movie theatre began to fill with the heavy scent of roses.
Delia sneezed.
“What’s going on?” Rick sat up straight in his seat.
People all over the theater were beginning to talk loudly and get up out of their seats.
Ward and Vera stood up and squinted behind them into the projection booth. It was difficult to see because of the bright light of the projector.
“Something is very wrong here.” Vera said.
Delia sneezed again. “What are we going to do?” She asked in a raspy voice as the theatre continued to fill with the smell of roses.
“Come on, everyone!” Ward said to his friends. “Let’s go up there!” He pointed to the projection booth.
As the other movie-goers filed out of the theatre, the teens hurried up the aisle and around the corner to the doorway where the spiral stairs to the projection booth stood waiting.
Ward tried to the door handle. It wouldn’t budge.
“It’s locked,” Ward said.
“There’s another door near the exit on the other aisle,” Rick suggested. “I remember we walked by it when we came in. The door was wide open.”
“Good thinking,” TJ said as the hurried along the topmost row of the theatre to quickly get to the other aisle.
They all sharply turned the corner to find the door still wide open.
Ward put his finger to his lips as they climbed the spiral staircase to the projection booth.
The metal stairs creaked and groaned under the weight of the five teenagers. Ward went first. When they arrived at the top of the stairs, they were all stunned to see the projection booth was completely empty!
The room echoed with the sound of the broken film slapping against the projector. Ward looked closely at the projector to try to figure out how to turn it off.
“Well, whoever did this is gone now.” Vera sniffed, trying not to breathe in too deeply. The scent of roses was still very strong.
“I wonder how they got the smell in the theatre.” Delia muttered, looking for some sort of machine or contraption that could have been used to spray the scent in.
“It smells like the air freshener my grandmother uses.” TJ said.
“What was that all about anyway?” Vera sighed. “Who is the Red Rose Rascal?”
But, before they could say anything else, they were interrupted by angry footsteps clanking up the metal stairs.
“What’s going on here?” A balding man shouted at them.
“That’s what we were trying to figure out.” Rick answered.
“Sure, sure.” The man growled. “A likely story. How did you kids get in here?”
“The door was open, sir.” Ward answered.
“And so you thought you’d come in here and cause some trouble? Huh? Bored on your long weekend were you?” The man asked.
“No.” Vera answered. “We were in the theatre when that man’s voice came over the speakers and the room began to smell like roses. We came up here to see what was going on.”
“Right. As if I’d believe that.” The man said testily. “Look, when I find five teenagers in an unauthorized area of the theater after I’ve just had complaints about a major prank, I know who to blame.”
“We didn’t do anything, sir.” Vera said quickly.
“You can tell that to the police.” The man laughed rudely. “My name is William K. Francis. I’m the manager of this theatre. I’ll have you know I just called the cops. The Chief of Police himself is on his way.”
“Sir, we’re good friends with Chief Colbert.” Ward tried to explain.
“In fact we’re all going to be a part of his wedding tomorrow.” Vera explained. “I helped the bride pick out her dress and everything.”
“Sure, and I’m a famous star of stage and screen.” Mr. Francis said.
“I’m sure Chief Colbert will tell you that we didn’t have anything to do with this. We were just investigating…” Ward began.
“Trying to help.” Vera added.
“I’ve heard enough out of all of you.” The theatre manager stopped them.
“Well, now what?” Vera muttered to Delia.
What should they do?
Voting results for how the story continues:
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57.1%
28.6%
14.3%Go to next chapter!
