Welcome to Night Vale, Dr. Watson...

Chapter 2: Wheat By-Product

Carlos was a tall, light skinned man with bright blue eyes the color of ice and hair like the sand of the dunes. He spoke with no accent, but he always seemed to have a concerned look on his face. He was wearing black pants, a lab coat, and thick glasses. Carlos’s mysterious companion was shrouded in a full- length trench coat, complete with green buttons and bulging pockets. Cecil thought he could see the outline of a pistol in the left pants pocket. Carlos spoke first, with a crystal clear voice that Cecil could only describe as angelic.

“I want to introduce you to someone.” At this point, the figure began to take off his trench coat and his gloves. “This is Sherlock.” Sherlock was not that much taller that Cecil, with dark eyes and messy hair. He had beautifully defined cheekbones and pale skin. He spoke in an accent that Cecil was unable to identify.

“Yes, my name is Sherlock. I’m a detective helping with the case of the wheat and the wheat by-product, which last month unexpectedly turned into three-foot-long snakes and then into obnoxious spirits, then mysteriously disappeared. I wanted to meet you. You're a wealth of information for the entire town." Cecil was embarrassed to hear a total stranger hand him praise, and then gained his ability to speak again.  

"I'm Cecil, obviously." Cecil grinned foolishly, and then composed himself. Sherlock didn't seem to be amused. "I'm just an employee here at Night Vale Community Radio. I would recommend talking to Station Management, but you really just have to yell through the door and hope they hear. They've only ever come out once or twice, and that was to yell at me for doing something wrong. I don't even remember what they look like." Sherlock frowned.

"Okay then," Sherlock responded, "we were wondering if you wanted to join us and the team of scientists for dinner tonight at Big Redd's."

Cecil's heart pounded. This attractive stranger wanted to know if he would go to dinner with him, and Carlos. Cecil was excited, even to the point of arousal. Carlos was good-looking and smart. Gah, thought Cecil. He's so beautiful.  "See you then?" asked Carlos.

"Definitely." Cecil was pumped. He couldn't wait for tonight. But first he was going to have to finish his radio broadcast. He snapped his headphones back on his head and switched the microphone on, and began to talk.

"Hello Listeners. Welcome... To Night Vale."