119. The Laboratory
Amy decides to check out the strange metal door in the rear of the hallway. “Surely,” she thinks to herself, “there must be something interesting behind such an anachronistic doorway!” As she walks toward it she notes that the keypad next to the door is now flashing green letters on its display. They read, “Unlocked.” When Amy is within a few feet of the door she peeks inside, revealing a dark staircase winding down into the dark. Amy gulps.
The thought strikes Amy that, if this were a horror movie and she were at home watching from the comfort of her living room, at this point she would be leaping off the couch and shouting, “No, you idiot! Don’t go down there! You’ll be horribly killed!” She pauses and closes her eyes for a moment so that she can rationalize her behavior.
“First, this isn’t a horror movie. It’s real life. Haunted houses and mad scientists don’t exist in real life. It’s just your imagination.” Then Amy remembers that tree outside and the demon knocker in the front door. “Okay, that was… unusual, to be sure. But talking trees and doors don’t mean crazy mad scientists exist. Besides, the modern touch here makes it seem like it’s been built and used recently, which makes it likely that somebody actually alive lives downstairs. Hopefully, someone more sane and less creepy than that butler upstairs. Maybe whoever is down there can help me.” Having satisfied herself that this is a smart move and that she is not at all behaving like a slasher flick bimbo, Amy creeps down the stairs.
Amy has a generally positive view of humanity and is fairly positive that anyone down there is more likely than not a lovely and helpful person. Still, no use being a damn fool about things. Better to be quiet and not make her presence known until she has a grasp of the situation. She walks slowly and quietly down the stairs, doing everything she can to minimize noise. She considers taking her boots off to creep more effectively, but decides the likelihood of the stairs being infested with rats, or some other even less savory vermin, is a bigger risk. The staircase is narrow and spirals gradually downward, with walls on either side lit by the occasional torch. The stonework is cold to the touch, but Amy keeps one hand on the wall at all times to steady herself; she wouldn’t want to fall down these stairs.
After about three full twists around the spiral she comes to an open doorway. Amy cautiously peers through the portal, then mentally kicks herself for having decided not ten minutes ago that mad scientists don't exist. Beyond the door is some sort of scientific testing laboratory. Strange electronic devices hum menacingly as arcs of electricity shoot between antennae. On one wooden table sit a variety of beakers filled with strangely colored liquids and powders. A number of metal tables are positioned against the wall, and Amy gasps noiselessly as she realizes that they have what appear to be manacles attached to them. In the corner, with his back turned to Amy, stands a man working on something and muttering to himself. He wears a dirty white lab coat and has a disheveled mop of white hair atop his head. In the middle of the room is a giant man with green skin, seemingly patched together from disparate body parts. Amy wonders if maybe this isn’t the best place for her to be…
What should Amy do?
Go back upstairs to the Grand Hallway