WHO KILLED ROSCOE? NOGEO

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Who Killed Roscoe is a choice-based story, created in Twine, showcased at The College of New Jersey's 2024 Celebration of Student Achievement. The original story used geolocation to monitor the reader's location, encouraging visitors to visit several locations on the campus to progress the narrative. This version of the story has been edited to not require geolocation. [[START|Start]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/15LxDb1M/start.gif"></center> You stand outside a small building. The large glass window in front of you is branded with letters reading "ROSCOE'S DETECTIVE AGENCY". Today is //hopefully// the day you get a job here... but the detective has yet to arrive for your interview. As you prepare to cut your losses, a figure rushes to your side. [[NEXT|A1]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/25nCqrq4/hall3.gif"></center> <<set $body to true>>\ ROSCOE: Here he is... good ole Roscoe. Didn't even see it coming. YOU: I'm not sure I'm qualified to examine a dead body. ROSCOE: It'll be fine! YOU: Well, it looks like he has a bunch of stab wounds in his back... so he was attacked from behind. YOU: They're pretty shallow, too. Maybe made with a knife or dagger? ROSCOE: Possibly... YOU: I don't see any other cause of death here. ROSCOE: Seems like that's all to see here. [[RETURN|InvestHall]]

<<if $investigation is true>>\ ''CLUES:'' <</if>>\ <<if $knight is true>>\ KNIGHT'S TESTIMONY <</if>>\ <<if $body is true>>\ ROSCOE'S BODY <</if>>\ <<if $sword is true>>\ KNIGHT'S SWORD <</if>>\ <<if $tiger is true>>\ TIGER'S TESTIMONY <</if>>\ <<if $breaker is true>>\ THE BREAKER <</if>>\ <<if $knives is true>>\ KITCHEN KNIVES <</if>>\ <<if $bobcat is true>>\ BOBCAT'S TESTIMONY <</if>>\ <<if $tool is true>>\ ROSCOE'S MULTI-TOOL <</if>>\

<<set $investigation to false>>\ <<set $body to false>>\ <<set $knight to false>>\ <<set $sword to false>>\ <<set $tiger to false>>\ <<set $breaker to false>>\ <<set $knives to false>>\ <<set $bobcat to false>>\ <<set $tool to false>>\ <<set $weaponsword to false>>\ <<set $weaponknife to false>>\ <<set $weapontool to false>>\ <<set $accuseknight to false>>\ <<set $accusetiger to false>>\ <<set $accusebobcat to false>>\

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/wBYpYZW3/office2.gif"></center> ???: Sorry for keeping you waiting! ???: You're the applicant for the junior detective permission right? [[Yes!|A2]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/s2PRjm8m/office3.gif"></center> YOU: Yes! ROSCOE: Right! Well, I'm Roscoe! ROSCOE: Probably not the Roscoe you're familiar with... ROSCOE: Most people know me as Roscoe the Bed Bug Dog! I sniff out bed bugs for the humble residents of the tri-state area! ROSCOE: Well... I used to. Nowadays I sniff out crime! ROSCOE: Speaking of crime... there's been a change in plans for your interview... [[What's up?|A3]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/TwRvpmv6/office4.gif"></center> YOU: What's up? ROSCOE: I just got a call that the other Roscoe... TCNJ's classic lion mascot... ROSCOE: There was some sort of party happening today in his luxury mansion. Seems something really bad happened over there. ROSCOE: Normally I'd get to the bottom of this by myself... but I'm thinking that as a potential junior detective... you could use this case to figure out if you've got what it takes! ROSCOE: Waddya say? [[I'm in!|A4]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/G2qwY2bs/office5.gif"></center> YOU: I'm in! ROSCOE: Glad to hear it! ROSCOE: Our first stop will be the Grand Hall, the entrance of Roscoe's Mansion. Enter the [[Grand Hall]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/qvhJT84D/hall1.gif"></center> The entrance to Roscoe's Mansion is extravagant! He really lives a lavish life. Or... used to. At the center of the hall is none other than ROSCOE'S BODY! ROSCOE: Yikes... someone really did a number on him. ROSCOE: There's a few other mascots who were at this party... we'll have to question them. ROSCOE: They're all Roscoe's rvials... meaning they're the prime suspects in ROSCOE'S MURDER! ROSCOE: We better start investigating! [[BEGIN INVESTIGATION!|InvestHall][$investigation to true]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/htkSPfGD/hall2.gif"></center> ROSCOE: Here we are! Make sure to question whoever you see and look for murder weapons! Here you are in the Grand Hall of the late Roscoe's mansion. The Rutgers University Knight stands by Roscoe's body. <<if $body is true and $knight is true and $sword is true>>\ //I've investigated everything to see here!// [[NEXT|B1]] <<else>>\ [[Investigate Roscoe's Body|Roscoe Body]] [[Question Knight|Knight]] [[Investigate Knight's Sword|Sword]] <</if>>\

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/vBMbfk9C/hall4.gif"></center> <<set $knight to true>>\ KNIGHT: Halt! Doth mine eyes deceiveth me? Roscoe? Ye olde bed bug sniffing hound? KNIGHT: Why, I was just about to call upon thou! Our lion friend Roscoe hath been murdered! ROSCOE: Yes, yes, that's exactly why we're here! YOU: Did you see anything happen to him? KNIGHT: Ah, unfortunately I was not privvy to his cruel demise... You see I was having a wonderful conversation with him when the lights suddenly vanished, and the hall was cast into darkness! KNIGHT: Whence they returned, mine eyes were shocked to see Roscoe himself, dead in the center of the hall! KNIGHT: I was the only one with him in the Hall at the time... but I've been guarding his body ever since! YOU: I see... ROSCOE: The lights went out, huh? That's a classic murder scenario right there. ROSCOE: Unfortunately us dogs can't see in the dark so well.. YOU: Lions can though... maybe Roscoe saw his killer? YOU: Thank you for your testimony, Knight. KNIGHT: Of course! [[RETURN|InvestHall]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/7hZ4QzKV/hall6.gif"></center> ROSCOE: Hmmm... some interesting findings so far. ROSCOE: Seems we may have even found our killer! YOU: Huh? ROSCOE: The Rutgers Knight... he's got that bloody sword with him! Plus... he was the only one in the room! ROSCOE: There's a good chance he's the one who stabbed Roscoe! YOU: Those wounds were awfully shallow though... I think a sword would've gone all the way through. YOU: Plus, how could he attack him from behind if he was in front of Roscoe, talking to him? ROSCOE: Nevertheless, there's more suspects to question! Our next stop is the kitchen. Enter the [[Kitchen]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/GtgR0pN1/kitchen1.gif"></center> The mansion's kitchen. There's plenty of dishes and cuisine filling the shelves and trays of this room. Before the party came to an abrupt end, there was sure to be a great feast! The Princeton University Tiger is in here, chowing down on some of the unused food. <<if $tiger is true and $breaker is true and $knives is true>>\ //I've investigated everything to see here!// [[NEXT|C1]] <<else>>\ [[Question Tiger|Tiger]] [[Investigate Storage Closet|Closet]] [[Investigate Kitchen Knives|Knives]] <</if>>\

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/tRBpnrgm/kitchen2.gif"></center> <<set $tiger to true>>\ ROSCOE: Heh hem. Excuse us. TIGER: You're excused. ROSCOE: Look, we're investigating a murder here, pal! TIGER: I don't speak to detectives without a lawyer present. YOU: You're probably disrupting the crime scene... ROSCOE: Yeah! This place is a crime scene! TIGER: A crime scene? YOU: Roscoe the lion was murdered. ROSCOE: And you're a suspect! Unless you tell us what you saw! TIGER: I didn't see any crime... I've been in here since the party started. These hor d'oeuvres are to die for. TIGER: No pun intended. YOU: Did the lights go out in here? TIGER: Huh? No. TIGER: I did hear some clanging around towards the back of the kitchen... but I figured it must be a dishwasher or something. YOU: Maybe it was the Knight's armor? TIGER: No, his armor has a distinct sound... I would've known if he was in the kitchen. ROSCOE: Can't tigers see in the dark? You sure you didn't mosey into the grand hall and STAB ROSCOE when nobody could see? TIGER: Once again, not saying anything else without a lawyer. ROSCOE: Let's move on... this guy is clearly too preoccupied to talk. [[RETURN|Kitchen]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/52CVGbSZ/kitchen5.gif"></center> <<set $breaker to true>>\ The kitchen closet is pretty cramped with food and supplies. A lot of pots and pans have been thrown onto the floor. At the back of the closet is a breaker built into the wall! YOU: If somebody were to turn off the lights to a specific room, this is where they'd do it! ROSCOE: Great catch. So somebody would've had to go to the kitchen to turn off the lights... YOU: Let me see something... You press the hall's switch on the breaker. Interestingly, the light inside this closet turns off as well. The light in the actual kitchen stays on. After about 15 seconds, the breaker switches back to normal. YOU: The breaker is broken, and it made the light turned off in here... I wonder if the killer knew that would happen? Or did they get surprised? [[RETURN|Kitchen]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/FsqvD73y/kitchen4.gif"></center> ROSCOE: That Princeton Tiger guy is a real piece of work. Classic Ivy Leagues. I bet he's the one who did it, he could've turned off the lights and then grabbed a kitchen knife to stab him! YOU: I'm not so sure... YOU: He said he heard some clanging... I think if the killer had turned off the lights, when the closet light suddenly turned off they might've accidentally knocked things over in there. ROSCOE: Hmm... ROSCOE: Let's keep investigating. We should check out the Piano Room. Enter the [[Piano Room]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/0jjgCsNX/piano1.gif"></center> A fancy room with a grand piano at the center. The New York University Bobcat sits at the piano, messing with the keys, but the piano must be out of tune. <<if $bobcat is true and $tool is true>>\ //I've investigated everything to see here!// [[NEXT|D1]] <<else>>\ [[Question Bobcat|Bobcat]] [[Investigate Piano|Piano]] <</if>>\

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/4ySDLS7f/piano2.gif"></center> <<set $bobcat to true>>\ ROSCOE: Well, well, well... the NYU Bobcat. What made you come down here to Jersey? BOBCAT: It's a party for mascots... I'm guessing you're here to throw a tantrum over not being invited? ROSCOE: I'll have you know I am currently investigating a murder. BOBCAT: Don't tell me... did Roscoe...? ROSCOE: Stabbed to death. In the dark. BOBCAT: A classic murder scenario... YOU: Have you seen anything? BOBCAT: Honestly... I have no information to offer. I've been in this room since the party started. BOBCAT: But... It's truly hard to believe any of us would kill Roscoe. We all got along quite well, despite what you'd believe. BOBCAT: Other than that, I haven't seen a thing. YOU: Well, thanks anyways. [[RETURN|Piano Room]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/zXLZb86V/piano3.gif"></center> <<set $tool to true>>\ The grand piano is quite beautiful, but unfortunately out of tune. ROSCOE: Say... I have just the tool for this! Roscoe holds out his magnifying glass and presses a little button on the side a few times. The glass retracts into the handle, and cycles through various tools before out pops a long metal rod; a tuning lever. YOU: What is that? Some sort of multi-tool? ROSCOE: Yup! This thing's got over 42 different tools and gadgets inside it! ROSCOE: We can get this thing tuned in no time! Should take 2 hours max! YOU: I don't think that's a great use of our time. BOBCAT: Do you even know how to tune a piano? ROSCOE: Surely it can't be that hard... YOU: Let's just move on... [[RETURN|Piano Room]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/qBDHvzmP/piano4.gif"></center> ROSCOE: Hmmm... I don't think there's any other suspects to question... YOU: There's hardly much evidence... but I think some conclusions can be made now. ROSCOE: That's the spirit! ROSCOE: Say, let's gather all our suspects and have a classic murder mystery accusation showdown in the Grand Hall! ROSCOE: You'll love seeing the look on the killer's face when we catch 'em! YOU: Right... Return to the [[Grand Hall|FinalHall]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/BQwSkh91/finalhall.gif"></center> <<set $weaponsword to false>>\ <<set $weaponknife to false>>\ <<set $weapontool to false>>\ <<set $accuseknight to false>>\ <<set $accusetiger to false>>\ <<set $accusebobcat to false>>\ ROSCOE: This is it, buddy. If you get this right, you'll definitely be my junior detective! All the suspects gather around poor Roscoe's body, waiting to hear your accusation. [[REVIEW YOUR CLUES|Clues]] [[MAKE YOUR ACCUSATION|Accuse]]

You think over your clues one more time. ''KNIGHT'S TESTIMONY:'' The Knight said the ''lights went out'' in the Grand Hall for a few seconds, and when they came back on, Roscoe was dead. He was the ''only one with Roscoe'' at the time. According to the Tiger, the ''Knight never entered the Kitchen.'' ''ROSCOE'S BODY:'' The body has multiple ''shallow stab wounds'' in the back, they were most likely made by a ''small or short weapon''. Roscoe was most likely ''attacked from behind''. ''KNIGHT'S SWORD:'' The Knight always carries his ''broadsword'', which currently has some ''blood'' on it. The Knight said this is from ''slashing the killer'' in the dark. ''TIGER'S TESTIMONY:'' The Tiger said they were in the ''Kitchen'' the entire time, eating, and the ''lights didn't go off'' in the kitchen. The Tiger heard ''pots and pans clanging'' near the kitchen closet. The Tiger can ''see in the dark'', and possibly could've grabbed a kitchen knife. ''THE BREAKER:'' The killer went into the kitchen closet to ''turn off the lights'' in the Grand Hall, but the ''closet light would've turned off'', too. Based on the pots and pans on the floor, the killer may have been ''caught off guard by the lights suddenly turning off'' inside the closet. ''KITCHEN KNIVES:'' There's plenty of knives in the kitchen, but ''none look out of place or dirty''. ''BOBCAT'S TESTIMONY:'' The Bobcat said she was in the ''Piano Room'' the entire time, and hasn't seen anything. She mentioned that she ''couldn't believe any of the mascots would kill Roscoe''. ''ROSCOE'S MULTI-TOOL:'' Roscoe the Dog's magnifying glass is also a ''handheld multi-tool''. It has over ''42 different tools and gadgets'' inside. [[RETURN|FinalHall]]

First, the weapon... it must've been... [[THE KNIGHT'S SWORD|Accuse2][$weaponsword to true]] [[A KITCHEN KNIFE|Accuse2][$weaponknife to true]] [[ROSCOE'S MULTI-TOOL|Accuse2][$weapontool to true]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/mDwRwjyk/hall5.gif"></center> <<set $sword to true>>\ YOU: Do you mind if we take a look at your sword? KNIGHT: Ah, of course! KNIGHT: I must mention, during the darkness, I believe I heard Roscoe's killer! YOU: Really? KNIGHT: It's true, and of course, to protect mine friend, I slashed their way with my blade! KNIGHT: Alas, it wasn't enough to save poor Roscoe. ROSCOE: Suspicious... There's some blood on his sword... but is it from Roscoe or his killer? [[RETURN|InvestHall]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/VL51qjrs/kitchen3.gif"></center> <<set $knives to true>>\ There's plenty of different types of kitchen knives in here... it's totally possible that somebody could've grabbed one to stab Roscoe. None of the knives look particularly out of place or dirty, so you think it's unlikely any were used for murder. [[RETURN|Kitchen]]

And the killer must be... [[THE RUTGERS KNIGHT|Accuse3][$accuseknight to true]] [[THE PRINCETON TIGER|Accuse3][$accusetiger to true]] [[THE NYU BOBCAT|Accuse3][$accusebobcat to true]] [[ROSCOE THE BED BUG DOG|AccuseEnd][$accuseroscoe to true]]

<<if $accuseknight is true>>\ <center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/NjS09ddw/accuseknight.gif"></center> KNIGHT: Hast thee gone mad?! I would never hurt Roscoe! <<if $weaponsword is true>>\ KNIGHT: I swear upon mine blade, I only attacked Roscoe's killer! I could never backstab him... ROSCOE: Yeah right... you definitely walked right behind him and stabbed him! //The knight's sword is too long to have made those stabs... maybe I should approach this differently...// <</if>>\ <<if $weaponknife is true>>\ KNIGHT: I never went into the kitchen... I was with Roscoe the whole time! ROSCOE: Sure, sure... that's probably what all the clanging in the kitchen was before the murder! //A knife could've made those stabs, but the Knight never entered the Kitchen, according to the Tiger... Maybe I should think over it again?// <</if>>\ <<if $weapontool is true>>\ KNIGHT: How would I have access to a tool like that? ROSCOE: H-huh? Why are you dragging me into this?! //A multi-tool could've made those stabs, but the Knight probably wouldn't have been able to attack Roscoe from behind... Maybe I should think about the possible culprit again?// <</if>>\ <</if>>\ \ \ <<if $accusetiger is true>>\ <center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/9XbFtmLb/accusetiger.gif"></center> TIGER: Excuse me? You really think I'd do something like that? <<if $weaponsword is true>>\ TIGER: How in the world would I disarm the Knight to get his sword? ROSCOE: Probably some advanced Princeton tactics... //The knight's sword is too long to have made those stabs... maybe I should approach this differently...// <</if>>\ <<if $weaponknife is true>>\ TIGER: I never left the kitchen... but somebody definitely went into the closet. ROSCOE: Right, right... that person must've been you! //A knife could've made those stabs, but I think the killer must be someone who can't see in the dark like the Tiger can. Maybe I should think over it again?// <</if>>\ <<if $weapontool is true>>\ TIGER: Huh? I've never even touched that multi-tool. ROSCOE: H-huh? Why are you dragging me into this?! //A multi-tool could've made those stabs, but the Tiger wouldn't have access to it... Maybe I should think about the possible culprit again?// <</if>>\ <</if>>\ \ \ <<if $accusebobcat is true>>\ <center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/R0tZcwYJ/accusebobcat.gif"></center> BOBCAT: Oh please. Surely you're smarter than this. <<if $weaponsword is true>>\ BOBCAT: I doubt the Knight would give anyone his sword... ROSCOE: Well... maybe you wrestled it away from him! BOBCAT: Impossible. //The knight's sword is too long to have made those stabs anyways... maybe I should approach this differently...// <</if>>\ <<if $weaponknife is true>>\ BOBCAT: I was nowhere near the kitchen. ROSCOE: Well... maybe there's a secret tunnel from the Piano Room to the Kitchen! BOBCAT: Seriously? //A knife could've made those stabs, but all the kitchen knives were seemingly untouched. Maybe I should think over it again?// <</if>>\ <<if $weapontool is true>>\ BOBCAT: But... I think you're on the right track. ROSCOE: H-huh? Why are you dragging me into this?! //A multi-tool could've made those stabs, but the Bobcat wouldn't have access to it... Maybe I should think about the possible culprit again?// <</if>>\ <</if>>\ ROSCOE: Heh, well, anyways this all sounds good to me! Let's get 'em to prison straight away! ROSCOE: Good work, my faithful junior detective. Let's not think anymore about the details of this case. YOU: ... //I think I have to [[go back and rethink things...|FinalHall]]//

<<if $weaponknife is true>>\ <center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/d1mQfwwq/accuseroscoe.gif"></center> ROSCOE: H-huh?! Me?! ROSCOE: Those knives were sparkly clean! There's no way that was the murder weapon! ROSCOE: Clearly I made a mistake in taking you on this case... //I just need another second to [[think about the weapon.|FinalHall]]// <</if>>\ <<if $weaponsword is true>>\ <center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/d1mQfwwq/accuseroscoe.gif"></center> ROSCOE: H-huh?! Me?! ROSCOE: There's no way the Knight's sword could make stabs like that! ROSCOE: Clearly I made a mistake in taking you on this case... //I just need another second to [[think about the weapon.|FinalHall]]// <</if>>\ <<if $weapontool is true>>\ <center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/gJPk4n9S/accuseroscoe2.gif"></center> ROSCOE: H-huh?! Me?! ROSCOE: My multi-tool it.... ROSCOE: It only has a few tools inside... nothing that could stab someone!!! BOBCAT: You're saying a //multi-tool// wouldn't contain a pocket knife? The most common part of a multi-tool? ROSCOE: Ummm... yes? YOU: It has to be you, Roscoe... YOU: I don't know the specifics but... nobody else could've done it, and no other weapon could've been used. YOU: You can't see in the dark. You must've turned off the lights in the kitchen, and gotten scared in the dark and knocked over those pots and pans. ROSCOE: Well... how would I find him if the lights were off? Dogs can't see that well in the dark! TIGER: You're the Bed Bug Sniffing Dog... you could've sniffed him out. ROSCOE: ... YOU: And you had to have stabbed him from behind, he would've seen you in the dark if you didn't. YOU: But the Knight had been talking to him... I bet you have a cut from the Knight attacking you, don't you? ROSCOE: ... YOU: And after all that... YOU: You hurried back to your detective agency while the lights were off. You were late to our meeting. You knew something bad happened to Roscoe even though you never got a call! KNIGHT: It's true... I hadn't called him yet. YOU: You knew where to find all the mascots during the investigation because you were already here today! YOU: This all proves that ROSCOE KILLED ROSCOE. ROSCOE: You... [[NEXT|E1]] <</if>>\

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/2ykjRMSn/accuseroscoe3.gif"></center> ROSCOE: Ya got me. ROSCOE: I'm the one who killed Roscoe. ROSCOE: How would you feel? Sharing a name with some hotshot college mascot? Who doesn't even invite you to mascot parties?! ROSCOE: People only know me from a bedbug commercial! ROSCOE: If I could kill Roscoe... then I could be the most important Roscoe in the tri-state area! ROSCOE: And I figured if I let my newbie potential junior detective help, they'd probably mess it up along the way... ROSCOE: But... I guess that's not the case. ROSCOE: Clearly you're a better detective than I expected. [[CUFF 'EM, BOYS.|E2]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/J0pr1xsv/end1.gif"></center> You and the mascots watch as Roscoe the Bed Bug Dog is taken away in a police car. TIGER: Now he'll be Roscoe the Convicted Murderer. KNIGHT: Such a shame things ended this way... TIGER: Roscoe will get justice, don't worry about it. BOBCAT: Say, new detective, what do you plan on doing now? YOU: Well, the police said that according to some old New Jersey law, I now own Roscoe's Detective Agency? BOBCAT: Way to go. YOU: It'd feel wrong running that place though. Knowing some murderer was in charge of it. TIGER: At least you know it's bed bug-free. BOBCAT: I say you should run the place. You earned it. Plus, you could always just rebrand. YOU: ... [[Maybe I will.|THE END]]

<center><img src="https://i.postimg.cc/L6s4xc7p/end2.gif"></center> To honor beloved Roscoe... he'll make a great new detective agency mascot. ''THE END''