Night Vale Unsolved

48

"Thanks again, Cecil."
"Oh, no problem."
The four stood in the now vacated hotel lobby, Shane and Ryan preparing to take their bags and go.
"You really should stay for a few more days," Carlos suggested.
They shared a look. "I'm not sure that's a good idea," Ryan replied.
"What, that mob?" Cecil asked. "No, they won't bother you again. Not like that, anyway. Maybe a dirty look. But nothing like that."
"Why not?" Shane decided. Ryan shot him a look, but he didn't change his mind. "At least one more night, alright?"
"Fine." Ryan sighed. "Maybe we can even figure out what to do about the video."
Carlos thought for a moment. "I think I might have an idea."

That afternoon, the four of them sat at the kitchen table in Cecil and Carlos' apartment. They had gotten pizza from Big Rico's (it was strange - the line that Carlos, Ryan, and Shane got stuck in had vanished, everyone who had been in it at the time no where to be found. Alex the intern was one of those people, which meant that Cecil now had to get a new intern. Again). Their plates were empty by now, and they chatted amiably.
Eventually, the topic came up.
"What are you guys planning on doing?" Cecil asked.
Shane and Ryan shared a look. "We talked about it," Shane said, "and we're going to stay for one more day."
"No sightseeing," Ryan jumped in, remembering their encounter in the library, "Just...I don't know, as weird as this town is, leaving doesn't..."
"I know what you mean." Carlos supplied, picking up from where Ryan trailed off. "Night Vale is a difficult place to come by, and it's even harder to leave. You two should be fine," he reassured them, "But the hesitation is probably part of it."
"Well, whatever it is, I'm still disappointed about the footage."
It was now Carlos and Cecil's turn to share a look. In the hours between the mob in the lobby and this dinner, the two had discussed Carlos' idea. When they were sure their new friends weren't listening to the radio, Cecil put out the request. It was nothing guaranteed, but they would know by tomorrow wether it had payed off.
"I'm sure it will work out." Carlos assured Ryan and Shane. "If anything, you certainly have enough stories of your own to tell."
"Yes, just be careful what you say. There is such thing as for-"
"Forbidden knowledge," Ryan finished with a smile, "Yeah, you've said."
"Not that anyone would believe any of this." Shane added.
The four laughed at that, and conversation moved on until eventually it got late enough for them all to turn in.

In various other residences around town, other citizens were making choices, decisions, and recordings.