The Melaswen Paradox (Read 325,682 times)

[André DiMera]

Monday - 10/7

BLACK PATCH
John closed his laptop and stood up.
JOHN: Right, I’m out for the rest of the day. Got Tate’s last ball game of the season, then got that meeting we talked about.
STEVE: Sounds good, partner.
Steve stood, and he and John shook hands.
STEVE: Good luck.
JOHN: Hopefully I won’t need it, but we’ll see. Appreciate it all the same, partner.
STEVE: And good luck to Tate, as well. Go Lions.
JOHN: Go Lions. We’ll see you tomorrow, Patch.
John and Steve patted each other on the back as John left.

JADE’S APARTMENT
SHAWN-D: We don’t have all the details just yet, but it appears he died from a self-inflicted wound.
JADE: Self-inflicted?
SHAWN-D: That’s right.
Jade blinked.
JADE: I…I’m not so sure about that. Not only because I don’t think Dirk would do that, he thinks too highly of himself to consider doing that, but also because of this…
Jade picked up the paper and handed it to Shawn-D, who read it.
SHAWN-D: Jade, what does this mean?
JADE: I have no idea.
SHAWN-D: Well, when did you get it?
JADE: Just now. Like, maybe five or so minutes before you came, maybe less.
SHAWN-D: And do you have any reason to think this might be connected to what I’ve just told you?
JADE: I mean, it’d make sense. Not that I’ve seen or heard from him since he got put away, thank god, but Dirk was a huge problem for me.
SHAWN-D: Well, this shines a different light on things. Do you mind coming down to the station to answer a few questions?
JADE: Am I in trouble for something?
SHAWN-D: No, this is just to get your statement. With what happened to Dirk this morning, and now you get this paper, I have a couple questions, and it’d be easier to write them up at the station.
JADE: Okay. Sure, I guess. Just give me a sec, my daughter will be getting out of school soon, I’ll need to arrange to have someone pick her up.
SHAWN-D: I’ll wait.
Jade dialed a number into her phone.
JADE: Hey, sorry this is so short notice, something’s come up, do you think you can pick up Emmy from school and watch her for a little bit? I don’t know exactly, hopefully not long. I’ll fill you in later. Okay, thanks, Nicole.
She hung up.
JADE: All right, I’m ready.
Jade put on her shoes and coat and followed Shawn-D out of the apartment.

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
For the first minute, Johnny struggled, but whoever had him in their clutches had a strong grip.
VOICE: It’ll be easier for all involved if you don’t struggle.
JOHNNY: Yeah, like that’s gonna happen! Let me go!
VOICE: Up to you.
Because of the face covering, Johnny had no idea where he was, where he was being taken, or who had him. The person speaking to him sounded male.
JOHNNY: The hell’s going on here?
VOICE: You’ll see momentarily.
A few minutes later, Johnny was forcibly sat down in a chair. He could hear small scratching noises and footsteps. Then, several voices spoke at once.
VOICES: Bubo vide omnis!
This was followed by a chorus of hooting sounds. When the hooting died down, he heard a voice, different to the one he had heard earlier.
VOICE 2: Reveal him.
Someone took the covering off of Johnny’s face. He looked around in shock.
MAN: Who on earth is this?

[heroicmuse]

I wonder what this is about. It seems Johnny has stumbled onto a cult of some sort.

Bittersweet seeing John and know9ng Drake Hogestyn is gone.

I hope Shawn knows Jade didn't ask anyone to do something to Dirk

Great chapter André DiMera

[tghca]

Johnny has poked around in something he had no business poking around in and it has to do with that coin hence him being kidnapped


Whoever killed Dirk sent those anonymous notes to Jade basically saying they did her a favor...but the question is who? If Shawn is on this case, I wonder if the rest of the PD will be?


With Drake Hogestyn being gone, it begs the question of if you kill off John?

[Kpatch]

I'm terrified for Johnny. Did they kidnap the wrong guy?

I get the feeling that's the last time John and Steve will see each other.

[mae00]

I'm glad Nicole is close by and can help with Emmy on short notice. I'm really glad Jade told Shawn about the note. She doesn't need to have that kind of attention on her and Emmy.

I sure hope nothing happens to Johnny. It sounds like the wrong person was abducted but now he's seen faces.

I hope John makes it to Tate's game.

[André DiMera]

Tuesday - 10/8

SALEM HIGH SCHOOL
The baseball game had just ended a short time ago. After changing out of his gear, Tate ran over to a group of his family, which was made up of John, Belle, Claire and Brady, the four of whom had watched the whole game. All four had cheered when the game ended with the Salem High Lions winning, but John had cheered the loudest. .
TATE: Hey guys!
BELLE: Hey! Great job out there!
CLAIRE: Yeah, it’s awesome that you guys won the final game of the season!
TATE: Thanks! Not that it’s not awesome to see you guys, but what are you all doing here?
JOHN: I made a few calls. Wanted some of the family to be here for your last game of the season, see what I’ve seen since we started.
CLAIRE: And Mom and I were happy to come.
Belle nodded.
TATE: Well, thanks! I’m so glad you guys came! Brady.
BRADY: Tate. Great job out there.
TATE: Thanks. I’m, uh, I’m glad you came, actually.
BRADY: Yeah?
TATE: Yeah. You might not…you know, be him. But, I could see us possibly being friends.
BRADY: I’d like that.
Tate and Brady shook hands. Then, Tate heard his teammates calling his name. He turned and gave them a hand signal for 1 minute, then turned back to his family.
TATE: I wish I could stay, but the team and I are heading over to the Slicer to celebrate.
BELLE: Go enjoy yourself. We’re happy to have been able to see you play.
TATE: I really appreciate it! And thanks for everything this year, Grandpa.
JOHN: Of course, buddy. I’ll see you in a few days.
TATE: Sounds good.
Tate hugged Belle, Claire and then John.
TATE: Thanks again for all the help and advice.
JOHN: You got, kid. Keep swingin’ for the fences.
TATE: For sure.
Tate left to join his teammates.
BELLE: Thanks for inviting us to the game, Dad.
CLAIRE: Yeah, that was great!
JOHN: Well, I’m glad you two were able to come!
BELLE: The six of us are still on for dinner, right?
JOHN: That’s a fact. Got it in my calendar.
John hugged Belle, then Claire, then put his arm around Brady.
JOHN: And it is so good to see you and Tate getting closer. I know things are a bit awkward given your situation.
BRADY: Yeah, but he’s a good kid.
JOHN: That he is. And so are you.
John and Brady hugged.

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
Johnny looked around, somewhat in shock. He was in what looked to be a library. Not the Salem U library, this was more like the one at the boarding school Sami had sent him to during his first two years of high school. The architecture had a gothic look. Standing before him was a small group of people. Each was wearing an owl mask, so he couldn’t see any of their faces besides their mouths. Each was styled after a different type of owl.
GRAY: This isn’t the one!
There was only one boy, around Johnny’s age, the one who had made the circles over his eyes just before Johnny was kidnapped, that was unmasked.
BOY: He had the coin! The coin you told me about!
ELF: He did not receive the coin from us! We know nothing of this boy!
JOHNNY: Hey! I do have a name, you know!
BARN: It is of no matter! The test has not been passed.
SCREECH: That is not for you to decide, Brother Barn! It is up to the Great One to judge!
The tallest of the group stepped forward. He was wearing a mask that looked like a Great Horned Owl.
HORN: Sister Screech is quite right. Young Owlet, return to above. We shall contact you when the time is right.
The unmasked boy nodded and left through a doorway on the right side of the room. Horn walked over to Johnny and crouched down so his mask was eye-level with Johnny.
HORN: Who are you?
JOHNNY: Johnny DiMera. What is this place? Who are you?
SPOT: Somewhere you should not be!
Screech, who was one of the two girls in the room, made a hissing noise.
SCREECH: Remember your place, Brother Spot! Let Brother Horn speak to the boy if he deems it.
The boy in the Spotted Owl mask looked down.
HORN: Thank you, Sister Screech. To answer your question, young one, you are in Owl Cave. As to who we are, we are the Parliament of Owls!

[tghca]

This is just getting stranger and weirder...Johnny just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and now this cult has him as their prisoner. What is this Parliament of Owls going to do?

This might be the last time we all see John


I have a feeling John passes away in his sleep

[Kpatch]

Very strange.

It's nice that the whole family was there to support Tate.

[heroicmuse]

Yeah, this definitely feels like a cult. Very strange. It makes me think of Twin Peaks. "The owls are not what they seem."

I have a bad feeling about whether John will make it to dinner

Great chapter André DiMera.

[André DiMera]

Wednesday - 10/9

SALEM P.D.
Jade and Shawn-D sat in Shawn-D’s office.
SHAWN-D: You’re sure you don’t want a lawyer?
JADE: I haven’t done anything wrong, and I have nothing to hide. Besides, you said it was just a few questions.
SHAWN-D: Okay, so you received this letter about ten minutes before I showed up today?
JADE: Five or ten, yes. It was right before you showed up.
SHAWN-D: Great. And before today, when was the last time you heard anything about Stuart Dirk?
Jade thought for a moment.
JADE: His sentencing. Since he was my attacker, I wanted to be there to hear him get his sentence.
Shawn-D nodded and wrote something down.
SHAWN-D: That was 2020?
JADE: Yes.
SHAWN-D: So from that time until now, you haven’t had anything to do with him?
JADE: That’s right.
SHAWN-D: Have you spoken about him to anybody?
JADE: At all? Yeah. Only when he first got sentenced, and that was just me saying to Eric and Nicole that I was relieved he couldn’t hurt me or Emmy anymore. Other than that, I don’t recall ever mentioning him to anybody.

BRADY PUB
John and Bo were eating dinner together.
BO: Been a long time since we’ve done something like this.
JOHN: That’s a fact. I’ve missed it. How’re you doing, partner?
BO: Pretty good. Keeping busy with things on the force, and spending time with the kids when I can.
John nodded.
BO: What about you? How are you doing?
JOHN: Doin’ okay. Just came from Tate’s last baseball game of the season, which his team won.
BO: That’s awesome!
JOHN: Yes it is. Other than that, like you, keeping busy between work and the kids and grandkids.
BO: Speaking of your kids, how’s Brady?
JOHN: He’s good. He and Tate are starting to get closer.
BO: That’s good.
JOHN: Yeah.
BO: So I take it that this isn’t just a social visit.
John arched up an eyebrow.
JOHN: What makes you say that?
BO: ‘Cause I know you. I’ve known you for the last…must be 38 years. At one point, you were my brother. Hell, you still are, in every way that counts.
John smiled.
JOHN: I appreciate that, and I feel the same. And you’re right, I did come here for more than just the chowder and your company.
BO: What’ve you got?
JOHN: At the end of the month, Billie’s moving over to the ISA full time.
BO: That’s great for her, but I don’t see what that has to do with me.
JOHN: Come on, man. You’re one of the best on the force, you always have been. Steve, Shane and I have talked it over, and once Billie joins us full-time, we’d like you to be the ISA’s official police liaison.
Bo sighed.
JOHN: It’s not like you haven’t done it before.
BO: I know. And it’s not like I don’t miss it. Let me ask this, though, this offer, is it an offer, or one of those “you’re going to do it” offers?
JOHN: No, it’s a real offer. Offers you can’t say no to were Tarrington’s game, not Shane’s.
BO: Alright. Can I think about it?
JOHN: Sure. Just don’t wait too long, we’ll need a new liaison by the end of the month.
BO: I’ll keep that in mind.
JOHN: Well, now that we’ve got that outta the way, we can enjoy this lovely meal.
BO: You got it, partner.

[Kpatch]

I hope Bo says yes.

[tghca]

Bo said yes to the ISA before and look at what it cost him years ago...his marriage to Hope and he ended up being held captive by his own uncle Victor's brother Deimos and not to mention he ended up losing his mother Caroline and his father Victor on top of it...ended up in Megan's clutches brain tumor and all and then dying and that was all in part due to saying yes to the ISA

[heroicmuse]

I hope Bo agrees.

Still so bittersweet seeing John.

I hope Jade doesn't get in trouble.

Great chapter André DiMera

[mae00]

Sounds like John is making plans.

I love owls, but this cave and it's inhabitants sound really weird. I hope Johnny gets out of there.

[André DiMera]

Thursday - 10/10

SALEM P.D.
SHAWN-D: So you never asked anyone to do anything to Dirk, then?
JADE: Aside from asking the jury to give him a long sentence, no. I try not to think about Dirk unless I absolutely have to. Also, regardless of how much I loathe him, I wouldn’t ever wish for anyone to die. I’m not that person anymore.
Shawn-D put down his pen.
SHAWN-D: Alright. I think that’s all I need for now. I might have more questions at a later time, though.
JADE: Great. Like I said, I have nothing to hide.
SHAWN-D: That’s good.
JADE: So, do you think it’s connected? The letter and what happened to Dirk? I know you asked me that earlier, I just wanted to see what you think.
SHAWN-D: I have reason to believe that it might be. I’m going to look into it and get back to you.
JADE: Thanks.
SHAWN-D: Thank you for being so willing to come in and answer my questions.

UNDISCLOSED LOCATION
Johnny blinked.
JOHNNY: Am I supposed to know what that means?
Horn grinned smugly.
HORN: I should certainly hope not. That would rather ruin the secret. “There are more things in Heaven and Earth, Horatio…”
JOHNNY: “Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
HORN: You know it.
JOHNNY: Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Yeah, I’m familiar.
HORN: Good. “To reveal art and conceal the artist is art’s aim.”
JOHNNY: Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray.
HORN: Impressive. “I am the son and the heir of a shyness that is criminally vulgar.”
Johnny took a deep breath and considered.
JOHNNY: The Smiths, How Soon Is Now?
Horn gave a small clap.
HORN: Very good. Tell me, young one, how did you come about this coin?
Horn held up a coin identical to the one Johnny had.
JOHNNY: I found it on the ground outside of my dorm room.
HORN: And you picked it up?
JOHNNY: Yep.
Horn turned to Screech.
HORN: What say you, Sister?
Screech stepped forward.
SCREECH: The fact that he picked up the coin shows a natural curiosity. Also, he clearly has at least some interest in great literature and music.
HORN: Shall we test him?
JOHNNY: “A census taker tried to test me once. I ate his liver with a side of fava beans and a nice chianti.”
Horn chuckled.
HORN: Oh, I like this one. Hannibal Lecter, The Silence of the Lambs.
JOHNNY: One of Anthony Hopkins’ best performances. Though, of course, the creator of Lecter was Thomas Harris in 1981’s Red Dragon.
HORN: I do not disagree, on either count. So, what say you, young one? Do you have a thirst for knowledge? You certainly seem to be a learned individual. Would you like to join the Parliament?
JOHNNY: What does that entail?
HORN: A willingness to learn. A wish to pursue knowledge. To be open to ideas. But mostly, to enjoy and share knowledge that has been gained by reading, listening to and watching the great artists of our time. We meet once a week, every Friday night here in Owl Cave. Should you choose to join, there will be three tasks you must do before becoming an official member of the Parliament. If you turn down this offer, then you must promise to never speak of this again to anyone. You must forget all that you have seen and heard here today.
Johnny thought for a long moment.
JOHNNY: Okay, I’m in.
Horn smiled again, less smugly this time.
HORN: Excellent. Over the next three weeks, you shall be tested. These tests shall be random. You must expect them at all times, for you never know when the test might be. Bubo vide omnis, the owls see all. ‘Tis a rough translation, but it suffices. After these tests, you shall either join the Parliament, or not. We shall see. It is up to the Great One. Only Mother Owl can decide your fate. Rise, young owlet.
Screech undid the rope tying Johnny to the chair and allowed him to stand.
HORN: You shall return to the above now. Sister Screech shall guide you. Before you go, though, I have so enjoyed our little talk. Perhaps one more.
JOHNNY: Okay.
HORN: “Man’s attitude…man’s attitude goes some ways to the way his life will be. Is that something you might agree with?”
JOHNNY: The Cowboy, played by Monty Montgomery in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive.
HORN: Very good. Farewell for now, young owlet. Sister Screech.
Screech held out her arm to Johnny, who took it, and she guided him out of the Owl Cave, and back into the halls of Salem University. Johnny blinked.
JOHNNY: What? We’ve been at Salem U this whole time?
SCREECH: We have. Farewell, Johnny DiMera. I should hope to see you again.
Johnny looked over his shoulder. When he looked back, Screech was gone.

PENTHOUSE
Later that night, John and Marlena were getting ready for bed. John was telling Marlena all about Tate’s baseball game.
JOHN: You should’ve seen it, Doc. He scored the winning hit!
MARLENA: I’m so glad. I’ll have to come to more of his games next season.
JOHN: I’m sure he’d love that.
MARLENA: As I’m sure he loved having his grandfather there.
John smiled and nodded.
JOHN: I’m a lucky man, Doc. I’ve got two great kids, a bunch of great grandkids, two of the best friends a man could ask for, and the most amazing wife in the world.
Marlena put her arms around John.
MARLENA: And you are the most amazing husband in the world.
John and Marlena kissed.
JOHN: You know, for so long, I didn’t know who I was, but after finding my father last year*, and how close all of the family is now, I finally know who I am. Because of my family. I’m John Black, and that’s a fact.
MARLENA: You certainly are, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
John and Marlena got into bed.
MARLENA: Good night, my love.
JOHN: ‘Night, Doc.
They kissed again, then John turned out the light.

*AUTHOR’S NOTE: For the purposes of this story, John’s parentage is the same as it is on the real show, with his father being Timothy Robicheaux, as played by Dick Van Dyke.