CYOA: Thomas Asby and the Minimal Mastermind (Volume 1, Chapter 2)

Last Week's Winning Choice:

Head for Fitzgerald's right-hand man in Los Angeles

Chapter 2

Thomas Asby lowered the binoculars from his eyes and placed them on the passenger side seat. He tapped the fingers of his left hand on the steering wheel, grimacing and sighing deeply. The clock on the dashboard of his ’96 Toyota Camry read 4:37, meaning he had been sitting there for precisely two hours and twenty-three minutes.

He reached into the back seat for the manila file folder, flipped past the picture of Frederico Fitzgerald, and scanned the information about his right-hand man. His name was Deacon Derblint, and when not by Fitzgerald’s side he resided in Los Angeles. Asby intended to intercept Derblint and find out Fitzgerald’s location, sooner rather than later.

Asby’s car was currently parked at the intersection of 28th and Orchard, south of downtown Los Angeles, giving him a clear view of Derblint’s two-story shack a block away. Asby hoped Derblint would return soon; less than a day remained until Fitzgerald’s meeting with his fellow criminals.

Bored senseless, Asby stepped out of his car and walked a couple laps around it to stretch his legs. While his rundown vehicle fit the aesthetic of the squalid neighborhood, he himself did not, adorned as he was in a stylish tuxedo. He stopped to brush sand off the sole of his right loafer and then reentered his car.

Just as he became settled again a black sedan pulled up to Derblint’s residence and Fitzgerald’s second-hand man emerged from it with grocery bags in hand. Asby slowly exited his vehicle and crouched low, watching while Derblint crossed the sidewalk to his porch. Once he had mounted the patio Asby broke into a quick run. He turned up the walkway to the house as the door was being opened, and Derblint looked around to see the secret agent flying towards him, right leg outstretched.

Asby’s foot collided with Derblint’s nose, breaking it instantly. Blood as well as Derblint’s groceries went flying in all directions, and the man collapsed while Asby landed spryly on his feet. The secret agent grabbed Derblint by the ankles and dragged his struggling form across the living room floor into the kitchen area. He propped him up on a chair and set about finding material with which to bind his arms and legs. He rummaged through all the drawers in the kitchen, sifting through various culinary instruments before finding a spool of fishing line tucked away in one compartment. He turned back toward Derblint only to find that the man was gone from his seat.

BOOM.

A slug ripped past Asby’s ear and blew a six-inch hole in the wall behind him. Ears ringing, Asby ducked and hid behind a counter, pulling his own gun from a shoulder holster at the same time. Another shot tore overhead, and Asby leaned out quickly to see where Derblint was. He caught a glimpse of the man’s bloodstained persona and a massive Colt revolver before withdrawing to avoid Derblint’s third shot.

There was silence for a short while, each man waiting for the other to make the next move. Finally Asby took action and rolled across the opening between the kitchen and the living room, firing as he went. Derblint fired two shots in retaliation, one of which grazed Asby’s left shoulder as he tumbled by. Asby pulled up behind cover, touching the wound and wincing. If he calculated right, Derblint would have one shot left before reloading, so now was the perfect time to act.

He grabbed the fishing line and popped his head out for a split-second before withdrawing it. His plan worked perfectly, as Derblint fired off his last bullet in vain and began to reload. Asby emerged and flung himself across the living room, tackling Derblint to the floor and sending his revolver clattering into a corner. Asby began wailing on his victim, knocking him unconscious, and then set about tying his hands and feet together.

When he finished he stood up short of breath and began pondering his next move. Maybe he could convince Derblint to turn on Fitzgerald, but maybe not. His eyes began wandering about the room, landing on sets of pliers, a knife rack, and uneaten hot dogs. He had never tortured anybody before but maybe this would be a good time to start. He didn’t have much time.

What should Thomas Asby do next?

- Convince Derblint to betray Fitzgerald, appealing to the bad guy’s morality and sense of righteousness by saying “it’s the right thing to do.”

- Torture Derblint to get information on Fitzgerald’s whereabouts even though Asby has never tortured anybody before.

Vote for your choice in the poll on the right, and check in next Monday for the next installment of Thomas Asby and the Minimal Mastermind!