Red Markets: The Grapevine – Episode 8

RPPR Tabletop Tales

As Tiburon reels from the events of Episode 7, a new horror of the Loss presents itself. One thing that we’ve seen in smaller doses is that the loss of Humanity leads to cracks and crumbles in sanity, but we’ve rarely seen the final break. In this episode, we see the effects of that break and the shockwaves it leaves among friends and family, coworkers and colleagues.

That said, we hope that you enjoy the final episode of Grapevine as our team pursues the Tontine. Toy Store!

David’s Notes: Thank you all for listening, and thank you for your kind attention. We all hope that you’ve enjoyed, and we’re going to do something a little different in the wrap-up- please consider this note to be your invitation to ask any questions to Tiburon Unlimited, the Market, or any Grapevine NPC’s (living or dead) and we will answer in the campaign wrap-up episode.

Also, here is the text of Cross’s final letter to Tiburon; we are sharing because it is far too good not to. Click below to read it:

Please keep in mind that 1) this is a game; we are roleplayers playing the role of broken, beaten people. 2) the topics discussed are a truly serious matter; if you find yourself at that ledge, please know that you are loved; dial 1-800-273-8255 rather than follow Cross’s example.

“I’m so sorry for doing this to you, but I have to leave. I joined you thinking that this time would be different, that I could push on long enough to escape this hell. I’ve been running for so long – Carlsbad, Fort Stockton, The Alamo, Waco, Grapevine – it never occurred to me that I’d become what I was running from. A few days ago I put a bullet in a man’s head and I didn’t even blink. Later on he told me his name was Grinder, and before the crash he had a family and they were going to SoCal so that he could accept his dream job. It’s ok, I’m not crazy, Dutch told me so. But it’s really hard talking to him with that hole in his forehead. He still blames me for that. Dumb bastard, didn’t give enough of a damn about himself or his kids to know when to get out of the damn way. Good think Lex is immune, maybe she’ll survive long enough to watch her heart get ripped out of her chest by… some… thing. I don’t know, it was stupid to think anything would change. Life isn’t fair, best you can do is try to tilt the odds in your favor. And now, even if we somehow made it to the end, I’ll still have these ghosts following me and reminding me what it cost. That’s what it comes down to right? How much is it worth? An arm here, a leg there. Prices I was ok with paying because I thought I could make a difference, that determination would win out. That ended when I pulled that trigger. I can no longer be the person Eevee needs to protect her. But I do have a way to get her out of here before it turns her into a monster too. One last score, and this time it isn’t a long shot either, it’s a sure thing. Just have to make one call, and Eevee won’t ever have to look over her shoulder again. She won’t ever have to become a killer. She won’t have to fuck up everything like I did. And maybe God will forgive me for my failures, for the lives I’ve taken, and all the lives I chose not to save.

Don’t follow me, don’t try to stop me. By the time you’ve read this, I’m already gone anyway. Maybe the rest of you can finish the job. Maybe I can help. God knows I’ve committed enough crimes, what’s the worst that one little wager could do? Any bounty that’s left after Eevee is out, I’m giving to Vicki, along with all my personal possessions, to be used by Tiburon as she wills. After all, she believed in me when no one else did, including myself. Call it a bet that you can’t finish the tontine and make it over the wall. If you win, you get to live out your lives in peace and luxury. If you lose, I guess I’ll see you on the other side. Take care of each other, and whatever victory looks like to you, make sure it’s worth the price.