Night Vale Unsolved

41

"...So yeah." Carlos concluded his long winded explanation. "Time doesn't really work here in Night Vale."
Ryan and Shane stood, blankly, listening to his every word. They didn't say anything once Carlos had finished, though, and so Cecil began to worry a bit.
"Still with us?" He asked, waving his hand in front of their faces. It did the trick, snapping the two out of their stupor.
"Um, yeah. Sorry." Shane pinched the bridge of his nose, like he was trying to clear away a headache. It didn't seem to be working.
"Not sure what I really expected, to be honest," Ryan admitted.
Cecil shrugged, and Carlos gave them a half hearted grin.
"Now," Cecil announced, "I have to get to work. What do you guys have planned for today?"
Carlos glanced at Shane and Ryan. "I think I'm going to take them to see Dana. Maybe she can help them with the missing footage."
Cecil's smile faltered for a second, but he nodded. "That...sounds fun. Let me know how it goes, ok?"
With that, Cecil gave Carlos a quick kiss on the cheek and made his way to the station. Carlos led Ryan and Shane in the opposite direction, towards City Hall.
"So..." Ryan ventured, "You and Cecil?"
Carlos blushed. "Yeah."
"How long has that been going on?" Shane asked.
Carlos had to think for a second. "A while. Our first date was soon after I moved to Night Vale, and it just kept going. I moved in with him a while after, and now..."
"Now what?"
Sheepishly, Carlos held up his hand. He didn't draw attention to it, so neither Ryan nor Shane had noticed, but there on his ring finger was a golden band.
"Oh, wow!" Ryan exclaimed.
"Yeah, congrats, man!"
Carlos laughed. "It's been a few years, but thank you."
The three of them walked in comfortable silence for another few blocks, then Shane broached the subject of their trip.
"Who exactly is this Dana person, anyway?"
"Dana is the current Mayor of Night Vale." Carlos told them. "She's a good friend of Cecil's, and a very nice person. If she can help, she will."
"Can she help, though?" Ryan asked.
Carlos just shrugged. "I guess we'll find out," He said as they claimed the stone steps of City Hall.

The hallways were long and all looked the same. It gave Ryan a headache just trying to keep track of where they were going, so he decided not to.
"Hope there are no Librarians in here," He whispered to Sha e, who snorted. Carlos, who had heard him, turned back with a small smile.
"There aren't, but let's hope we don't run into the City Council."
Shane frowned, not sure he wanted to know what the scientist had meant.
He decided he didn't.

Finally, they arrived at the Mayor's office. The door didn't seem to have a handle, but Carlos got it open. Shane and Ryan didn't see how - their view was blocked - but Carlos wiped his finger on his dark pants as he held the door for them, and Ryan could have sworn he saw it leave a stain.
"Hello," Carlos greeted the receptionist, "Were here to see Mayor Cardinal."
"She'll see you in a minute." The receptionist replied in a flat, robotic voice.
The group took a seat on the couches on the far wall. After a minute or two, the receptionist spoke again.
"Mayor Cardinal will see you now."
Carlos stood up, and Ryan and Shane hurried to do the same. They went into Dana's office, where she greeted Carlos warmly.
"Carlos!" She exclaimed, "I can't tell you how happy I am to see you. How are you? How's Cecil? How- oh, hello."
Ryan tried a meek wave from behind Carlos. The scientist turned to them.
"Mayor Cardinal, this is Ryan and Shane. They are...from out of town."
"So you're the Interlopers." Dana mused.
Carlos blinked at her remark, but pushed on. "Um...yes. And they have a bit of a problem."
"Well, sit down and tell me about it!"
Dana ushered them into seats, and they delayed the entire story.
When they were done, Dana folded her hands under her chin and frowned.
"So...?" Carlos prompted.
"I can make a few calls," Dana offered, "Maybe figure out who took the footage. But..." She sighed. "If it really was the Secret Police or the Vague yet Menacing Government Agency, there's not really anything I can do."
Ryan deflated, and Shane frowned.
Carlos leaned in. "What about City Council? Maybe they can-"
"The City Council," Dana interrupted, with a pointed glance at Carlos, "Is currently in vacation."
"Ah."
"So...that's it?" Ryan asked. "You're mayor, and there's nothing you can do?"
"Ryan..." Shane tried, calming Ryan down.
Dana shook her head. "My powers aren't actually that great. I really am sorry, but I don't think there's any way to get your footage back."