4 VOICES ON RECORD
THREE PEOPLE SAW IT.
KNOWN AS · Gilded Bullion
“PURE CHAOS.”
He keeps the receipt for everything he has ever bought in the Smoke, filed, in a biscuit tin. The Smoke has a theory. The Smoke is wrong.
THE ACCOUNTS
The Lab asked around the Smoke about Gilded Bullion. Everyone had a version.
“He bought my company.”
“Then he gave it back with a note that said 'sorry, wrong one'.”
ACCOUNT #02 · a retired Bureau sergeant
“I'll tell you what he is known for: buying buildings to settle bets. Anything more, you'd have to ask him.”
EVIDENCE
STATEMENTS · TAKEN SEPARATELY
TAKEN SEPARATELY · FILED TOGETHER
A NEWSAGENT IN THE SMOKE ONCE THREW HIS RECEIPT AWAY FOR HIM.
A NEWSAGENT IN THE SMOKE ONCE THREW HIS RECEIPT AWAY FOR HIM.
A NEWSAGENT IN THE SMOKE ONCE THREW HIS RECEIPT AWAY FOR HIM. ALLEGEDLY.
2
ACCOUNT #03 · a landlady who asked not to be named
“The statements have the beginning right. Nobody wrote down the rest.” He fished it out of the bin, smoothed it flat on the counter, and thanked the newsagent for the thought.
THE LAB'S VERSION
He was a clerk at a bank in the Smoke, under the gas lamps that only work out of spite, until he noticed the bank was the only one making money. He reacts to everything as if it were the first time, including the third time. He is diversifying, he says, into things he won't name.
HE HAS A RECEIPT FOR EVERYTHING.
EXCEPT ONE THING.
ONE WITNESS CHANGED THEIR STORY.
WHAT THE RECEIPTS ARE FOR.
WITNESSES ON FILE2
PULL THE SEAL ALONG THE TAPE — OR BREAK IT.
PERSONAL ACCESS · CHANGES NOTHING IN THE ARCHIVE
“He owes half of the Smoke.”
“He doesn't owe anyone a coin. It's the other way round.”
END OF FILE