Fic: The Thing That Ate Chicago (8/8)
Title: The Thing That Ate Chicago (8/8)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Carter/Doris, Sam Cowley, Clarence Hurt, Hugh Clegg, J. Edgar Hoover
Fandom: Public Enemies
Genres: Challenge, Holiday, Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction
Rating: (this chapter): R
Warnings: Please note that this story will contain gore, violence and character deaths. Each chapter will have their individual warnings. This chapter: Implied gore
Spoilers: None
General Summary: On Halloween, the Bankers Building becomes a literal House of Horrors.
Chapter Summary: Doris reflects on the past and hopes for the future.
Date Of Completion: October 15, 2011
Date Of Posting: November 3, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Universal does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 947
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Notes: Written for my 2011 Guns_Fedoras Public Enemies Fic/Art Halloween Challenge. Option 1: (Elements of Halloween used set in or around Halloween: Pumpkins/Jack O’Lanterns, Black-And-Orange, Monsters).
All chapters can be found here.
VIII
SHOOTING STAR
And when the star
Breaks from the sky,
Falling, falling,
It lands, gently
With dust and fire
Shooting star.
Allison Wells
"Shooting Star"
1906 C.E.
October 30, 1938
Doris walked into the Bankers Building. The bustle of the morning was just like any day, and Doris could almost forget what had happened four years ago.
Almost.
She rode the elevator up to the nineteenth floor. When she had returned from Charles’ funeral in Texas, she had spent the next month at home. All the people who worked in the Bankers Building had to wait as it was scrubbed down after the bodies had been removed by the police.
Charles had been found on the top floor with the remains of the killer. Rumors whispered that it had been a giant tentacled creature, while others claimed it been much smaller, and still others had whispered that it was the remains of Frankenstein’s Monster, but there was no official word. While the businessmen had been willing to pool their resources to clean the building, the Government had swept in and taken over, shutting off all information, but Doris had her contacts after years in the business.
Half-a-dozen people quit their jobs, but with jobs so dear in Depression America, the rest stayed, even though some swore that the building was haunted. Wild rumors and speculation abounded about an alien invasion. Somehow back in 1934 word had gotten out about the crater in the North Woods. Professor Brankowitz apparently had not gotten the word about keeping quiet.
Doris disembarked from the elevator and headed for the door marked Federal Bureau Of Investigation (Chicago Office). There was no longer a need for the Dillinger Squad.
Doris smiled at Carter as he went to her desk. She had letters to type for her boss Sam Cowley. She sat down and began typing.
Mel had never been found, though Sam had said that there had not even been enough left for dental identification from the bones left after the murder spree. The missing agents were declared dead, Mel among them. Charles had been one of the lucky ones, a recognizable body still in one piece.
John Dillinger had disappeared that Halloween night, though some people insisted that he robbed banks in the following months though others claimed it couldn’t be Dillinger, because the man had both an eye patch and a scar. His gang had melted away, though underworld rumors swore that he had been seen with his gang in other states, and a few further swore that he was accompanied by a tall, thin man with large brown eyes, one witness even claiming that the man had only one arm while the gangster wore an eye patch and his handsome face sported a scar on his left cheek.
Doris looked at her Jack O’Lantern, reflecting on all the stories that swirled around that odd Halloween night four years ago. Aliens were just as likely as monsters from behind the veil separating the living from the dead, because no one could say for sure what had happened.
Isn’t this world scary enough with all the mess in Europe and Asia? People are saying that Europe’s headed for another war when we’ve barely recovered from the last one.
She shivered. Maybe the people who said this place was haunted were right. The office was draftier than it used to be.
Guess it’s the romantic in me, but I like to think that Mel and Johnny got away and are happy together somewhere.
When Sam, Clarence, and Hugh had come back on the morning after Halloween four years ago, they had found a ruined Bankers building and a decimated Dillinger Squad…
& & & & & &
November 1, 1934
The day after Halloween always was a bit of a let-down, the Jack O’Lanterns a bit soft and the ghost and Witch decorations a little forlorn.
The agents who had gone to East Chicago were shocked when they returned, Sam talking to Patrick as Doris and Carter tried to explain what had happened.
“What’s going on here?”
They all turned to see J. Edgar Hoover standing there, his bellow echoing out over the quiet street. The police still had it blocked off, but Hoover had easily gotten through the barricades.
They had tried to explain but Hoover yelled, “You’re all crazy! Where’s my men? Where’s Melvin?”
The doors were easily opened this morning and Hoover stalked in. When he had come out an hour later, he was sheet-white and declared that he was going back to Washington.
& & & & & &
The Present
Carter smiled as he handed Doris a cup of coffee. She took it and said, “Thanks, dear.”
“We still on for tomorrow night?”
“You bet.”
“Can’t wait to see your costume.”
“You’re going to like it.”
Carter smiled as he returned to his desk.
Doris was glad for a masquerade ball to distract her tomorrow night. Halloween was always a tough night to get through after…well, she was going to enjoy hot beef stew tonight while listening to Mercury Theatre and put the finishing touches on her costume. It was one of her favorite programs since Orson Welles had taken over the show, producing, writing and acting every week.
Tonight, a quiet evening at home. Tomorrow, Halloween.
& & & & & &
Later That Night
It was cold and clear the night before Halloween. Stars twinkled in the sky and one broke away, falling to Earth with a bright blazing light. The earth shook and dust and smoke rose up to blot out the stars, slowly dissipating as a red glow emanated from the deep crater in the North Woods.
Deep in the crater, a cylindrical object glowed, then the lid began to turn...
web tracker
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Orson Welles adapted H.G. Wells' The War Of The Worlds and it aired on Mercury Theatre on October 30, 1938, sparking a nation-wide panic as people thought the country was really being invaded. Jitters over the situation in Europe contributed to the paranoia. It was all just a radio show...wasn't it? ;)
Author: BradyGirl_12
Pairings/Characters: (this chapter): Carter/Doris, Sam Cowley, Clarence Hurt, Hugh Clegg, J. Edgar Hoover
Fandom: Public Enemies
Genres: Challenge, Holiday, Horror, Mystery, Science Fiction
Rating: (this chapter): R
Warnings: Please note that this story will contain gore, violence and character deaths. Each chapter will have their individual warnings. This chapter: Implied gore
Spoilers: None
General Summary: On Halloween, the Bankers Building becomes a literal House of Horrors.
Chapter Summary: Doris reflects on the past and hopes for the future.
Date Of Completion: October 15, 2011
Date Of Posting: November 3, 2011
Disclaimer: I don’t own ‘em, Universal does, more’s the pity.
Word Count: 947
Feedback welcome and appreciated.
Author’s Notes: Written for my 2011 Guns_Fedoras Public Enemies Fic/Art Halloween Challenge. Option 1: (Elements of Halloween used set in or around Halloween: Pumpkins/Jack O’Lanterns, Black-And-Orange, Monsters).
All chapters can be found here.
VIII
SHOOTING STAR
And when the star
Breaks from the sky,
Falling, falling,
It lands, gently
With dust and fire
Shooting star.
Allison Wells
"Shooting Star"
1906 C.E.
October 30, 1938
Doris walked into the Bankers Building. The bustle of the morning was just like any day, and Doris could almost forget what had happened four years ago.
Almost.
She rode the elevator up to the nineteenth floor. When she had returned from Charles’ funeral in Texas, she had spent the next month at home. All the people who worked in the Bankers Building had to wait as it was scrubbed down after the bodies had been removed by the police.
Charles had been found on the top floor with the remains of the killer. Rumors whispered that it had been a giant tentacled creature, while others claimed it been much smaller, and still others had whispered that it was the remains of Frankenstein’s Monster, but there was no official word. While the businessmen had been willing to pool their resources to clean the building, the Government had swept in and taken over, shutting off all information, but Doris had her contacts after years in the business.
Half-a-dozen people quit their jobs, but with jobs so dear in Depression America, the rest stayed, even though some swore that the building was haunted. Wild rumors and speculation abounded about an alien invasion. Somehow back in 1934 word had gotten out about the crater in the North Woods. Professor Brankowitz apparently had not gotten the word about keeping quiet.
Doris disembarked from the elevator and headed for the door marked Federal Bureau Of Investigation (Chicago Office). There was no longer a need for the Dillinger Squad.
Doris smiled at Carter as he went to her desk. She had letters to type for her boss Sam Cowley. She sat down and began typing.
Mel had never been found, though Sam had said that there had not even been enough left for dental identification from the bones left after the murder spree. The missing agents were declared dead, Mel among them. Charles had been one of the lucky ones, a recognizable body still in one piece.
John Dillinger had disappeared that Halloween night, though some people insisted that he robbed banks in the following months though others claimed it couldn’t be Dillinger, because the man had both an eye patch and a scar. His gang had melted away, though underworld rumors swore that he had been seen with his gang in other states, and a few further swore that he was accompanied by a tall, thin man with large brown eyes, one witness even claiming that the man had only one arm while the gangster wore an eye patch and his handsome face sported a scar on his left cheek.
Doris looked at her Jack O’Lantern, reflecting on all the stories that swirled around that odd Halloween night four years ago. Aliens were just as likely as monsters from behind the veil separating the living from the dead, because no one could say for sure what had happened.
Isn’t this world scary enough with all the mess in Europe and Asia? People are saying that Europe’s headed for another war when we’ve barely recovered from the last one.
She shivered. Maybe the people who said this place was haunted were right. The office was draftier than it used to be.
Guess it’s the romantic in me, but I like to think that Mel and Johnny got away and are happy together somewhere.
When Sam, Clarence, and Hugh had come back on the morning after Halloween four years ago, they had found a ruined Bankers building and a decimated Dillinger Squad…
& & & & & &
November 1, 1934
The day after Halloween always was a bit of a let-down, the Jack O’Lanterns a bit soft and the ghost and Witch decorations a little forlorn.
The agents who had gone to East Chicago were shocked when they returned, Sam talking to Patrick as Doris and Carter tried to explain what had happened.
“What’s going on here?”
They all turned to see J. Edgar Hoover standing there, his bellow echoing out over the quiet street. The police still had it blocked off, but Hoover had easily gotten through the barricades.
They had tried to explain but Hoover yelled, “You’re all crazy! Where’s my men? Where’s Melvin?”
The doors were easily opened this morning and Hoover stalked in. When he had come out an hour later, he was sheet-white and declared that he was going back to Washington.
& & & & & &
The Present
Carter smiled as he handed Doris a cup of coffee. She took it and said, “Thanks, dear.”
“We still on for tomorrow night?”
“You bet.”
“Can’t wait to see your costume.”
“You’re going to like it.”
Carter smiled as he returned to his desk.
Doris was glad for a masquerade ball to distract her tomorrow night. Halloween was always a tough night to get through after…well, she was going to enjoy hot beef stew tonight while listening to Mercury Theatre and put the finishing touches on her costume. It was one of her favorite programs since Orson Welles had taken over the show, producing, writing and acting every week.
Tonight, a quiet evening at home. Tomorrow, Halloween.
& & & & & &
Later That Night
It was cold and clear the night before Halloween. Stars twinkled in the sky and one broke away, falling to Earth with a bright blazing light. The earth shook and dust and smoke rose up to blot out the stars, slowly dissipating as a red glow emanated from the deep crater in the North Woods.
Deep in the crater, a cylindrical object glowed, then the lid began to turn...
web tracker
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Orson Welles adapted H.G. Wells' The War Of The Worlds and it aired on Mercury Theatre on October 30, 1938, sparking a nation-wide panic as people thought the country was really being invaded. Jitters over the situation in Europe contributed to the paranoia. It was all just a radio show...wasn't it? ;)