Torgo's Terror Tours
HowlSpace Quest 19: Slenderman On the Prowl – {Interface}: You have received a new message from Sherriff Bubba Barley.
Sherriff Bubba Barley: We have a code red alert!
Halt all road traffic immediately! {Go to Next Guest Options}
{Guest Options}:
· {Option 1} Why are you telling me this, Sherriff?
· {Option 2} What’s going on?
· {Option 3} Is there any way that I can help?
Sherriff Bubba Barley: {Option 1} Wait. Aren’t you
{Guest}? I am so sorry to bother you. I must have mixed up your number with the
station’s. Won’t happen again. I promise. {Return to Guest Options}
Sherriff Bubba Barley: {Option 2} There’s been
reports coming in from all over town about a tall, slender monster with a pale
face luring travelers into the forest. There’s no telling what it’ll do to
them. {Return to Guest Options}
Sherriff Bubba Barley: {Option 3} No need to
interfere, {Guest}. We’ll handle it ourselves. Maybe you should get yourself
something to eat over at the market. {Go to Objective Screen}
Objective Screen {from Option 3}: Go to Fang Fruit
Market. Due to the high level of foot traffic in this area, please exercise
caution while engaging in this activity.
Every spring, the local harvest comes to Howling Hollow to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to the hungry residents. This market, Fang Fruit Market, has since become a spring tradition for the people of Howling Hollow, with the wide selection of fruit and healthy beverages being the talk of the town. Soon, Fang Fruit Market was able to set up a permanent shop in a nearby empty storefront that soon brought a rotating stock of in-season fresh food to the town. But as tourists began to flood into town, the owners knew that they needed to expand even more. Now making their seasonal market stalls a permanent fixture on the street, this ever-expanding business is always ready to deliver that season's fruits and vegetables to a growing number of hungry customers.
{Guest} arrives at Fang Fruit Market and confirms.
{Interface}: You have received a new message from
Kappa Krane.
Kappa Krane: Hello. I’ve heard some news come
through the shop about your day. Do you mind helping me? {Go to Next Guest
Options}
{Guest Options}:
{Option 1} Who are you?
· {Option 2} What news?
· {Option 3} How can I help?
Kappa Krane: {Option 1} Oh, me? I’m Kappa Krane,
head technician for Torgo’s Terror Tours, an offering by Torgo’s Atlantic
Excursions. I know that took too long to type, but I have to say that. It’s in
the contract.
Since most people around here don’t know what a
Kappa is, we’re a species of Yokai from Japan that live in waterways. Most of
my kind attack swimmers, but I’m content attacking an unthreaded screw. {Return
to Guest Options}
Kappa Krane: {Option 2} You haven’t heard?
Everyone’s heard about what you’ve done today. The Daybreak Werewolf.
Manipulating time to talk to the dead. Helping with that pig in a shower.
Driving up the amount of supernatural activity around here…
Okay, so I may not agree with Mayor Tumblewolf’s
move to rescind your arrest warrant, but I’m just rolling with the punches. As
long as my bowl of water in my head doesn’t drain, I’m fine. {Return to Guest
Options}
Kappa Krane: {Option 3} Well, I’ve been trying to
get into contact with this TV show’s producer, a, uh, Ghost Files, U.S.A.,
about rumors of Slenderman running around for a few months. But now that it’s
actually running around and putting us all in jeopardy, I think I could use
your help to stop it. {Go to Next Guest Options}
{Guest Options}:
{Option 1} I’ve been working with Ghost Files, U.S.A.
· {Option 2} Are you sure?
· {Option 3} What do you need me to do?
Kappa Krane: {Option 1} You have? I guess that
helps me out a bit. Let them know that they haven’t responded to any of my
phone calls…oh, wait. That’s the phone number for the soap opera fan mail
hotline. Never mind. {Return to Guest Options}
Kappa Krane: {Option 2} Hmm. I have heard that the
police might be looking into it, but considering that the most interesting
thing to happen this month before today was arresting someone for spinning
around five times while moonwalking in a northward direction (we have weird
laws), I’m thinking you might be more suited for the job. {Return to Guest Options}
Kappa Krane: {Option 3} The last that anyone has
seen of Slenderman was just beyond the Lake of Despair, so head that way if you
want to stop it once and for all. Then again, going into the Forest of Fear
alone on foot is a death wish that not even Timmy “Howling” Phil has, so I have
a better idea.
Today, we’re offering free excursions on Torgo’s
Terror Tours, which should get you into the forest. Now, I can’t guarantee your
safety with Slenderman prowling around, but you might have a fighting chance.
{Go to Next Guest Options}
{Guest Options}:
{Option 1} Let’s do this.
· {Option 2} I don’t know about this. Maybe I’ll leave it to the police.
· {Option 3} There are no tours happening right now.
Kappa Krane: {Option 1} Glad to hear. Just join
the line that’s building outside of the Torgo’s Atlantic Excursions travel
office. I’ve got some repairs that I need to finish. {Go to Objective Screen}
Kappa Krane: {Option 2} Very well. I’ll keep tabs
with Sherriff Barley on Slenderman’s movements. Have a good day. {Go to Quest
Screen}
Kappa Krane: {Option 3} Yeah. We’re having trouble
with one of our autonomous tour carts. I’ve got to go and take care it, but
hang tight. We’ll be up and running in no time. {Go to Quest Screen}
Objective Screen {from Option 1}: Experience
Torgo’s Terror Tours. Please adhere to all safety requirements and restrictions
during this experience.
The experience begins when guests step into the
travel office for Torgo’s Atlantic Excursions, a travel firm that is uniquely
owned by a satyr and hosts cruises, tours, bus fleets, excursions, and most
recently, a “scary” tour known as Torgo’s Terror Tours. This experience is what
you have come to see today, but to get to the tour jeeps, you must first pass
through Torgo’s Howling Hollow travel offices.
These travel offices are perhaps the most
modern-looking interiors that you’ll find in the entire town, with minimalist
architecture, furniture, light fixtures, and music surrounding you. In the main
foyer, guests can see a map of the world, a shuttered store with instructions
to visit the larger location down the street (this location in question is Torgo’s
Travel Supplies), travel posters, reception desks, and monsters working in the
offices. However, guests need not worry as these are docile monsters who work
around the clock and would rather chat around the water cooler than maul
someone’s pet sheep when off of the clock. With that said, the conditions of
their new jobs have…gotten to some of them, such as this exchange between a
ghoul and a vampire.
(Vampire picks up stack of documents and hands
them to ghoul.)
Vampire:
Voward, I vant you to transver these vour convermations to the manager’s
ovvice.
Ghoul:
Gragh! You do that. Last paycheck bounced.
Vampire:
Are vou sure vou didn’t slice it avain vith vour vong claws? Like vour last
check? Vor the vone bevore?
Ghoul:
Me sure. HR won’t listen. Busy with tour group stuck in Vansyltrania.
Vampire:
Avain? Vumph. Ve alvays have vourists stuck vhere. Can’t vhey vuse vrotocol
vixteen? Like ve alvays vo?
Ghoul:
Me know. Until paycheck fixed, me playing Grand Theft Auto on clock.
(Vampire shrugs and retakes the documents.)
 |
| Torgo's Atlantic Excursions Company Logo. With this dynamic and colorful logo, I wanted to communicate a few things. First, in spite of the name, I wanted to show the variety of offerings that this company has, including excursions on land, at sea, and in the air. But it was more than just having a cruise ship, an airplane, and some mountains together. I wanted to also communicate movement and relaxation. To do this, I used dynamic shapes with few, if any, straight lines alongside a limited color palette of cool and calming colors. I'm pretty happy with the end result, and while I know the colors of the palm tree aren't realistic, I went in that direction to keep the whole piece unified. Fun fact: there is a version that does change the palm leaves to green, but it ended up not being used for ruining the color harmony. |
From there, the guests are invited into the inner
cubicle centers of the travel office, as today’s tours are complimentary as a
perk to encourage spending after the fact, and the rooms and halls are being
used to hold the waiting guests. To tide the guests over, posters of other
excursions on offer are available with pricing, which are as follows:
Brave Florida Sharks! Come dive into the warm
waters of south Florida with Torgo’s Atlantic Excursions and see sharks up
close! We ensure that your safety is our top priority and that all equipment is
provided day of. Book now for a low, low price of $59.99/person!
Live Your Own Orient Expedition! Come travel through Asia and retrace Johnny Thunder’s steps to recover the Golden Dragon! You’ll see the ancient wonders of India, Nepal, and China safely with your tour guide, Sandy the Sasquatch! This experience costs only $3,199.99/person!
California Dreamin’! Come cruise for a week to the
cool town of Paradisa Beach, where everyone’s work is play! Cruises include a
night stay in Paradisa Beach’s Country Club, a meal at either the Sand Dollar
Café or Cabana Bar & Grill, and water taxis to and from Dolphin Point!
Spend a week in paradise for only $299.99/person/day! *
*The Paradisa Beach city council asks all
cruisegoers to refrain from traveling into the town’s warehouse district,
residential areas, the business park, old town beyond main street, the House of
Gray Parrot, downtown closest to old town, county jail, and any slum that the
town definitely does not have.
Torgo’s Terror Tours! Scream in delight as you
come face-to-face with the horrors of the Forest of Fear from the comfort of an
AGV all-terrain tour rover! Let fear be your guide for just $24.99/person!
NOTICE: Today Only – FREE TOURS!
The Land of Pharaohs! Torgo’s Atlantic Excursions
is pleased to offer cruises down the Nile River, featuring ports of call in
Cairo, Luxor, Aswan, and more! Please contact our manager for Egypt operations,
Said Ahma, for pricing and travel dates.
Weird Islands Tour! Cruise into the Atlantic to
drop anchor at three oddly-shaped islands: Skull Island, Gopher Island, and
Elephant Island! Included with your cruise are exotic meals, on-island stays,
mosquito nets, and opportunities to dig for pirate treasure! * Make your next
date unforgettable with couples’ packages starting at $229.99/night!
*Pirate treasure being located on any of these
islands has not been confirmed and is very unlikely. A bag of plastic pirate
coins is available to purchase for an additional $9.99.
As guests weave through the cubicles, which are mostly
not being used today. One is occupied by a sleeping Boont, who snores VERY
loudly. He is occasionally woken up by the phone or other alert.
 |
| Boont Scene Color Sketch. Like I mentioned prior, I wanted to incorporate some very obscure cryptids into the land, so when I came across the tale of the boont, the fact that this creature is literally a bear with antlers screamed comic relief to me. So, I wasted no time in taking this cryptid and turning it into a gag for the queue for this attraction. When adding the colors to this sketch, I emphasized the fact that he's been slacking off by giving his fur the orange dusting of the Cheetos that are sitting on the floor. And while the cat video playing on the computer adds to the comedy, my favorite detail has to be the note attached by string to his antlers that reads, "Pull Here for Service." Nothing quite like quality customer service. |
(Phone rings; Boont snorts and wakes up and presses speaker button)
Boont:
Uh, hello?
Yowie Technician:
G’day, Boont. It’s Yowie with the mechanic team. I’ve been looking for my
cross-bar torque wrench, but I can’t find it. Have you seen it?
Boont:
Um, nope. I’m all alone here. Just me and—
(Boont turns around to see the guests. Boont’s
eyes widen in surprise)
Yowie Technician:
Uh, Boont?
(Boont turns arounds towards the phone)
Boont:
Umm, I haven’t seen it. Sorry. Goodbye.
(Boont presses a button on the receiver and
reclines in his chair. He is fast asleep.)
Above, televisions overhead display Torgo, who
introduces the ride’s plot.
Torgo: Hello, wonderful guests! Thank you for choosing Torgo’s Atlantic Excursions for your next vacation! I am Torgo, CEO and caretaker of this corporation. I help take care of things when the board of directors is away. We’re more than a cruise business, as we offer a variety of vacation packages, including several right here at our office in Howling Hollow. But you’re here on a very special day: our popular excursions known as Torgo’s Terror Tours are free for today only! Our guests love being scared by the sights and sounds of the Forest of Fear, and you can get that from the comfort of this: an AGV all-terrain tour rover, capable of off-road maneuvers never before seen by any unmanned vehicle. We’ve already set a pre-determined path through the forest to allow you to see the forest’s landmarks in a single trip, but should something happen, be assured that one of our technicians can perform a manual override and guide the vehicle back to the safety of this travel office. Shortly, you’ll be entering our vehicle boarding platform, but first, a word from our head technician Kappa Krane.
 |
| Costumes for any location affiliated with Torgo's Atlantic Excursions. What does business casual look like in a place like Howling Hollow? When I was working out the look of this costume, my aim was to make something that looks professional but also rustic and spooky. Blue and orange are complimentary colors that capture that feel, so that ended up being the colors of choice. Light pastel pink was chosen for the blazer mainly to contrast, but also to match the brand's background color. As a fun fact, I have a real-life practical version of this costume at home that I've used to test mobility and as a last-minute Halloween costume. |
Kappa Krane:
Hello. My name is Kappa Krane, and I am the lead technician for Torgo’s Terror
Tours. Before your tour begins, here are a few safety reminders to keep
yourselves and us monsters safe. Each rover can hold six guests in two rows of
three, so make sure to fill every available seat. Please remove all carry-on
items and place them in the under-seat compartment. When seated, pull the seat
belt up from your right and snap it into the buckle on your left. Keep arms and
legs clear of the left-hand doors as they close, unless you want to end up
looking like Siegfried the Zombie over here, and watch your little ones. Trust
me, as a Yokai, I can attest that the little ones can be scarier than the
monsters on your tour. Now, I’ve got to see my hair stylist about keeping the
bowl of water in my head from spilling again, so I hope you all enjoy your tour
of the Forest of Fear!
The line now leads out into the garage, where the
jeeps await. As they weave past the tools, equipment, and even an AGV that is
being serviced, guests may notice that one of the mechanics is obsessed over
what appear to be Slenderman sightings in the forest. Photos, newspaper
clippings, and an ad for the TV show Ghost Files, U.S.A. are strewn
about, with a note sitting next to the last to contact the hosts of the show.
It seems like superstition…except that if guests look out the back window of
the garage that faces towards the forest, Slenderman is standing in a cluster
of trees, just…waiting. Once at the station and onboard the rover, your tour begins.
(Vehicles dispatch in sets of four and approach
belt check)
Yowie Technician:
G’day, mates. May I have your attention please. Yowie Tech here. Please remain
seated with your seat belt buckled, keeping hands, arms, feet, and legs inside
at all times. And please supervise your children. Thank you, and enjoy your
tour.
La Chupacabra Technician:
Hola. Mei llamo es La Chupacabra. Permanezca sentado con el cinturón de
seguridad abrochado, manteniendo las manos, los brazos, los pies y las piernas
adentro en todo momento. Y por favor cuide a sus hijos. Gracias.
(Belts are checked. Each vehicle is dispatched
one-by-one.)
Yowie Technician:
La Chupacabra, initiate test sequence.
(AGV swerves around an overbanked turn and slows
down, rolling over some rocks. The AGV stops at a bridge.)
La Chupacabra Technician: Prueba
todo terreno despejada.
Yowie Technician:
Excellent. Let’s begin the tour.
(The AGV rolls over the bridge as the narration
begins.)
Narrator:
Welcome to the Forest of Fear! From the comfort of your vehicle, you can come
face-to-face with the horrors that lie within the forest, all the while
stopping by some of the local landmarks.
(AGV speeds off through the forest. The trees
envelope the vehicle as dark sounds surround the road.)
Narrator:
As we approach the approximate site of where Banjo Buffalo made his banjo with
his bare hands, which we cannot confirm factually, take a look deep into the
trees and you might spot something scary.
(AGV slows down next to gap between trees. Two
plywood drop bears swing out and crawl down trees – a very poor effect.)
Narrator:
Watch out! Those completely real drop bears from Australia almost got you! Many
folks say that the Australian people made up the story of the drop bear to
scare tourists or to punish children, but you now know the truth!
(AGV advances onward. Passing a gap between two
trees reveals – then hides – Slenderman, who watches the guests. AGV slows as
it nears a bush.)
Narrator:
They say that these woods are full of monsters!
(A Bigfoot stands up, cellphone in hand, talking
to someone.)
Bigfoot:
Hey, Marty. Can we talk later? I’m on the clock, and these tourists need to be
scared, okay? Bye.
(Bigfoot puts away the phone and turns around. His
element of surprise is blown.)
Bigfoot:
Uh, oh. Uh, roar. Oh, well. I’m getting paid either way.
(As the jeep rolls off, Slenderman appears and
disappears again. Bigfoot notices.)
Bigfoot: Hey,
I thought I saw—
(Bigfoot picks up his phone as the AGV advances
away.)
Bigfoot:
Central control? I have a situation by the lake.
(AGV rounds the corner to reveal a cabin by a
lake. No one is around.)
Narrator:
According to legend, the town of Howling Hollow used to fill the entire forest,
until mother nature took it upon herself to reclaim what is hers. Chilling reminders
of this past dot the forest, including Banjo Buffalo’s Cabin, which sits on the
edge of the Lake of Despair.
(AGV travels around the building.)
Narrator:
This lake is said to be home to a man-eating octopus, which can consume the
ill-fated in one bite! Watch out!
(A mannequin being held by a paper mâché tentacle
pops out from behind a tree. A stock scream plays from a rock speaker.)
(Speaker begins to crackle like radio
interference.)
Yowie Technician:
What’s going on?
Narrator:
But don’t worry. You have nothing to be afraid of, thanks to Torgo’s Atlantic
Excursions! Book a cruise to the Bahamas today!
(Narrator dialogue begins to crackle as AGV rounds
corner. Standing before the vehicle, completely still, is Slenderman. AGV
speeds up towards Slenderman, then goes around. Slenderman swipes at the
vehicle.)
Narrator:
But before you go book—
Yowie Technician:
Stay calm, mates! You have a Slenderman in your area! La Chupacabra, initiate
manual override.
La Chupacabra Technician: Si,
Yowie.
(The AGV lurches as it veers towards a service
road.)
Narrator: Manual
override engaged.
(Slenderman appears in the middle of the service
road. The AGV swerves away.)
Yowie Technician:
We had a close call there! Looks like we’re going on a sightseeing tour, mates!
(The AGV reaches a fork in the road. It follows
one of two roads through the forest. Because of this, two possible ride
experiences exist.)
Left Path: (AGV
sets off on left path and speeds down road.)
(AGV slows in a clearing. There is no one and
nothing around.
Yowie Technician:
No worries, folks. This may be the Werewolf Hunting Grounds, but activity in
this area declined after they all moved into town. Besides, as long as you
remain seated—
(Radio goes to static. Slenderman appears from
behind a tree.)
Yowie Technician:
Best be going, mates!
(AGV picks up speed and races back into the
forest. Ahead is a steep hill.)
(AGV races up the incline and leaps over the top
of the hill. On the other side of the hill, the vehicle rides around an
overbanked turn.)
(As the AGV slows down, a Halloween skeleton pops
out from behind a tree. A cheap speaker cackles and crackles.)
(A black tendril grabs the skeleton and yanks it
away. Slenderman glides into view. The AGV picks up speed.)
(The AGV reconnects with the main course.)
Right Path: (AGV
sets off on right path and speeds down road.)
Yowie Technician:
Hit the brakes, mate!
(The AGV grinds to a halt next to a giant puddle.
A tentacle rises out of the water as the jeep rolls backwards.)
(The AGV changes course and splashes through the
puddles. More tentacles rise out of the water.)
(Slenderman appears from behind a tree.)
Yowie Technician:
Best be going, mates!
(The AGV picks up speed again as it turns a corner
towards a tunnel.)
(The AGV comes to a stop in front of the tunnel
entrance.)
(Slenderman appears from behind a sign reading
“Historic Pointless Tunnel of Howling Hollow – Might be Haunted.”)
(The AGV accelerates through the tunnel as the
sounds of ghosts fills the air.)
(The AGV emerges from the opposite side and rides
into an overbanked turn.)
(The AGV reconnects with the main course.)
(Both versions rejoin the course here and continue
from this point forward.)
(The AGV rounds a corner in the course. The radio
crackles.)
Kappa Krane:
Hey! I heard from Bigfoot that we’re having issues?
(AGV slows at an incline. In a flash of light,
Slenderman stands in front of the vehicle.)
Yowie Technician:
Uh, nothing’s wrong, Mr. Krane!
(During this dialogue, the AGV backs up from
Slenderman and turns a corner. Coming into view is a long plantation house.)
Kappa Krane:
You sure? I got some odd feedback—
Yowie Technician:
Sorry! Bad connection, mate!
(During this dialogue, the AGV has sped up and is
racing through an overgrown cotton field towards the front door.)
(The AGV crashes through the front door and races
inside, smashing the walls as it goes.)
(The AGV bursts out into a covered garden, where
gnarled trees block the sun from view.)
(The AGV spins around and stops. The headlights
turn on, revealing Slenderman in front of the vehicle.)
Yowie Technician:
Back up! Back up!
La Chupacabra Technician: ¡Lo
estoy intentando! ¡Cállate!
(The AGV backs up away from Slenderman as light
begins to break through the trees. The AGV escapes from the grove back into the
forest. The AGV swerves and brakes, once again facing Slenderman.)
La Chupacabra Technician: ¡Aie,
yi, yi!
(The AGV swerves towards a river. The AGV slows
down and crosses a river. An octopus rises from the water.)
Yowie Technician:
The octopus! La Chupacabra, I have an idea! Take us to the boat shack!
La Chupacabra Technician: Si,
Yowie.
(AGV rides up onto the opposite bank and turns
towards a boathouse.)
(The AGV rolls inside, with a view of the river.)
(Slenderman materializes in front of the vehicle,
tendrils drifting. The AGV loudly honks its horn.)
(As Slenderman starts to reach out towards the
AGV, tentacles emerge from the water and grab Slenderman. The octopus drags
Slenderman towards the water.)
(The AGV backs up as Slenderman disappears into
the water and turns another corner.)
Yowie Technician:
That was ripper, mates! We defeated Slenderman and got you all out safely!
Reengage autopilot for the return home.
(The jeep lurches and rolls towards a well-worn
road leading toward the backside of some buildings.)
Narrator:
And give yourselves a hand! You have just survived Torgo’s Terror Tours!
(The AGV rolls back towards the garage, where an open
door grants the vehicle access.)
Narrator:
We hoped you enjoyed this completely authentic encounter with the horrors of
the Forest of Fear, so as we return, remain seated until the vehicle comes to a
full and complete stop. Then, gather your belongings and exit to your left.
Thank you for choosing Torgo’s Atlantic Excursions, and please give us a good
review. It helps us out a lot.
(AGV stops at unload, where doors open and guests
disembark.)
After surviving Torgo’s Terror Tours, guests exit the garage and step inside of the store Torgo’s Travel Supplies.
{Guest} rides Torgo’s Terror Tours and confirms.
{Interface}: You have received a new message from
Russel Spectre.
Russel Spectre: I…I can’t believe it! I’m getting
messages that YOU defeated Slenderman! Way to go! {Go to Next Guest Options}
{Guest Options}:
{Option 1} But doesn’t this mean that you don’t have a season premiere topic?
· {Option 2} Do you need anything else?
· {Option 3} It’s been nice talking to you.
Russel Spectre: {Option 1} Are you kidding? Even
if Slenderman is truly dead, which I doubt, that place is loaded with enough
ghost stories and monster tales to fill my three-season commitment!
Now that I think about it, maybe this is what
Jennifield was talking about earlier: learning about the unsung stories of all
of these spirits and finally put their stories out there. Maybe we could
culminate in a multi-episode arc about the town’s real history…Oh. Sorry. The
producer side of me got through. {Return to Guest Options}
Russel Spectre: {Option 2} Well, considering that
the spirits have calmed down and Slenderman should be gone, I think that’s about all
that I need. Now, I know us Hollywood types tend to be cold and callous when we
show gratitude, but I truly mean this from the bottom of my heart: thank you
for saving Howling Hollow and my show. {Return to Guest Options}
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