>>6040527"...go to sniff out more rumors, especially the ones about the lumberyard."
Millie tilts her head at you for a second.
"Yeah, I'll keep watch on Craig, then."
"Do tell me when he wakes up, alright?"
Hopefully when Craig does wake up, he'll have some bonding time with Millie; get himself out of his shell and just... be honest with her! You swear, he's too shy for his own good.
Anyways, on with the rumor gathering again. As usual, you hit the bar for them - but it seems that there's not much new gossip being told. It may be that you've heard all of Pinewatch's current gossip - still, you've gathered some ideas from the few new inferences the townsfolk made.
First, you've gotten a more complete view of Leon. Looks like he used to be a drifter that went from town to town before becoming a competent lumberjack - then he became overseer, a fact that is often overlooked due to his recent string of mismanagements. And yet, he still holds the overseer position... curious.
You've also gained a more thorough history of the lumber companies in Pinewatch. Seems that Stuart Co. is the first lumber company to set up business in Pinewatch, then followed closely by Funny Wood Products. Apparently, back then the two had reached a healthy rivalry due to low overlap - Stuart tends to stick to pure woodcutting, while FWP has lower gross wood production but makes up for it by also selling furniture. This was referred to as a 'golden age' by the elder lumberjacks. Then came the railroad, and soon afterwards came Chainsaw Inc. who claimed some areas that were formerly inaccessible and uses some Metal Men labor to offset their low employee count.
It was after Chainsaw Inc. came into the picture that the relations between FWP and Stuart Co. became strained - several suspicious accidents happened to all three lumber companies, and fingers were pointed. No doubt the latest issue that Jed Stuart hired you for is related to this... right?
Seems you've had enough to drink as you find yourself staggering back towards the hotel. Either that, or the fact that the last time you slept was back in Goblinton, about three or four days ago. In any case, you can't help but feel that there could be a connection between this lumber dispute and the Singularity cult - you just don't know what, yet. Maybe...?
(Cont.)
