The Name's Oliver - Ben Oliver. Ch. 159: Duty vs Ethics, Pt. II

[RainBeau]

I was very concerned during the last chapter that Ben would succumb. I remembered that he has been hypnotised before but I forgot that crucial bit of information. What a relief! Now we know a bit more about why it was a 'coup' to get him there! As for me, I'm more inclined to trust Caroline and the other guests than that extremely dodgy nurse.

[Blayzen]

Aaaah, I see now that my worries about Dr. Freud were unfounded. I apologize, Schip for not trusting your favorite Doctor of Psychiatry. I should have realized you'd have some more tricks up your sleeve!!

I can't wait to see what clever plan Ben and his fellow inmates, uh patients, come up with to thwart the evilness of that truly diabolical room of what can only be described as torture! I just hope he's putting his trust in the right people. Forgive me for being the lone voice of dissent among the group but I happen to think that Sister Mercy is too suspiciously obvious to actually be the one to watch out for. This fairy (that'd be me, for those playing along at home,) thinks she may actually be the good guy!!

[Seabody]

Forgive me for being the lone voice of dissent among the group but I happen to think that Sister Mercy is too suspiciously obvious to actually be the one to watch out for. This fairy (that'd be me, for those playing along at home,) thinks she may actually be the good guy!!

I agree, and that is why my theory still stands.

[Schipperke]

The Long Road Back, Part X

Diary Entry

Elvis stepped up to Sister Mercy's desk.  "As you know, Sister Mercy, I'm new to the world of Sims.  I thought I'd better check into what I need to do to become a self-employed singer."

Sister Mercy told him, "Sims wishing to be self-employed need to register at City Hall."



Elvis looked at Adele and said, "I told you Sister Mercy would know all about it!"   Turning back to Sister Mercy, he said, "Yes, Ma'am.  When I went to City Hall yesterday they told me I needed to show proof of residency.  I'm sure you're aware of that rule.  The thing is, I don't have any identification papers or proof of residency.  They told me the only way around that would be for me to get four people that know me to come in and fill in affidavits attesting to my good character.  My friends here -" he gestured toward me and the other patients - "have kindly consented to come along and fill in the necessary paperwork."



Elvis was beaming at Sister Mercy.  He looked totally guileless.  The rest of the patients were clustered around Sister Mercy, waiting expectantly.  What could she say?  "Of course," she said "And Ronnie can come along too, in case you need him."

The six of us piled into a cab and headed off downtown.  The taxi dropped us off in the park across from City Hall.  Caroline came sidling up to me, saying "I told everyone you wanted to pick up a present for Sister Mercy!  But I didn't know she would send Ronnie along to snitch on us.  What do we do now, boss?"



I had been concerned about Ronnie too.  But it turned out we needn't have worried.  As soon as we arrived at the park, Ronnie made a beeline for a quiet corner and was soon engrossed in his latest comic book.



Several townspeople came running over to see Elvis, and I wondered again what his secret was.



The rest of our party were visiting and strolling in the park.  I pulled out my phone and called my commanding officer.

"Yes, Oliver, what is it?" De Luca asked.  "I'm on my way to an appointment at the spa, so I don't have much time."



Neither did I.  I told her about the brainwashing room and everything else.  I talked and talked. 



When I finished, De Luca exclaimed, "So that's how they've been doing it!"

I asked what she meant.

"We've known for some time that secrets were being leaked, but nobody could figure out how," De Luca said.  "In some cases the only people with access to the information were totally reliable, the sort that's pretty much above suspicion, and in any case they seemed as baffled by the leaks as anyone else.  Which would make sense if they were acting under a post-hypnotic suggestion."

When I checked in to the Sanatorium, Sister Mercy had said something about having treated other military people.  A great deal of care had gone into setting up that brainwashing room.  I wondered how long they'd been using it.  "But now we've got them!" I exclaimed to De Luca.  "We can arrest them -"

"Let's not be too hasty, Ben," De Luca interrupted.



She continued, "There may be a better way to handle it.  Talk to Carl, see if he has any ideas.  And now I need to go."  She rang off, and I dialled Carl's number.

[ladybug53]

Oh my....that was quite the scheme ! Caroline seems quite witty apart from other peoples' opinion of her . That was brilliant ! Awesome update . 

[Magz from Oz]

Great update Schipp.  I wouldn't discount Ronnie as innocent.  He's probably read that comic book dozens of times.  He may just use it as a cover and be listening to all that going on. 

[Schipperke]

The Long Road Back, Part XI

Diary Entry

Carl was home, and he was glad to hear from me.  "Ben!" he exclaimed, "Good to hear from you, and I'm glad to hear you sounding like your old self."



I felt a warm rush as I realized how fortunate I was to have a friend like Carl on my team.  I told him all about the brainwashing and the voice that had instructed me to get a copy of the list of all  the Federation's undercover agents in Llamastan. 

"Ye-es," Carl said thoughtfully.  "Of course they would want that, and you would be one of the few people who could get to see the list without arousing suspicion.  They must have been overjoyed when you walked into the Sanatorium!  No wonder Caroline heard them calling it a coup."

Yes, Caroline.  She had tried to tell me about the strange goings-on at the Sanatorium and I hadn't believed her.  I'd have to find some way to make it up to her.  But now there was more urgent business.  "What should we do?" I asked Carl.

             

"Did you know I've been studying cryptography?" Carl asked me.  "What time do you need to pick up the list - 3 o'clock?  Yes, that should give me time.  I'll make a list of fake names and encode it.  You can give them the encoded list.  It will seem authentic, and it will take them time to decode the list.  When they do, they'll have to try to find the people named in the list.  I think we can keep them busy for quite a while.  Leave it to me.  You just follow your instructions and pick up the list at 3."  He rang off.

To maintain the fiction that the purpose of the outing had been to get a present for Sister Mercy, I called my friend Flora Bunda who had a small florist's shop in Monte Vista.  She promised to have a fancy bouquet delivered to the Sanatorium.



At 3 o'clock I rose and left the Sanatorium. 



I identified myself to the sentries at the military base and was allowed to pass.



A short time later I emerged with the list in my pocket.  Carl had done a masterful job.  I had seen the encrypted list of names; the code he had used would keep Llamastan's code-breakers busy for quite some time.  And when they finally cracked the code, they would have the following list of  names:

William Mead
Harry Ream
Kia Reader
Jessica Warm
Pippa Dare
Hannah Red
Sullivan Armer
Gilbert Wearer
Zoey Reeve
Otis Derma
Ginger Waver
Fitz Edema
Elijah Dear
Fred Radar

As I drove back to the Sanatorium I laughed out loud, wondering what Llamastan's spies would make of that list of names.

Diary Entry Ends.

So where did Carl get that list of names?  Who are those people?  And why is Ben laughing when he thinks about the Llamastan spies tracking down the people on the list?  The mystery is in your hands, dear readers.  Can you solve it?

[Gwendy]

Well, for starters,

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

they're the names of famous dead people . . .

[Magz from Oz]

The only names I got that link in my mind were Gilbert and Sullivan.  So I'm guessing characters from a play?

[RaiaDraconis]

OH my gosh I do believe I figured it out! Don't want to spoil it though...I will PM you.

[Schipperke]

OH my gosh I do believe I figured it out! Don't want to spoil it though...I will PM you.

Raia gets an A+ for being the first one to figure it out.  And for not spilling the beans, she is hereby made a life time member of the Top Hush, Button Lip Organization. 

[batsrcool]

This is a great story, Schipperke, and I'm always glad to see another installment.
I think I'm on the right track with the puzzle. Could I PM you with what I have so you could tell me if I'm getting anywhere with this?

[Schipperke]

This is a great story, Schipperke, and I'm always glad to see another installment.
I think I'm on the right track with the puzzle. Could I PM you with what I have so you could tell me if I'm getting anywhere with this?

Thanks for the comment, batsrcool.  Sure, by all means send me your deduction. 

[batsrcool]

I think I've figured out the answer! I'll PM it to you.

[Blayzen]

Can I solve it?

NOPE. *waits patiently for those smarter than I to do the deducing*