Grimmbrook has caught the eye of the nation with its more recent homicide case, a shockingly gruesome one for a town with almost 20,000 inhabitants. The Grimm Chronicles, along with many other smaller newspapers and magazines have been following Little Red’s mysterious case, as well as the murderer’s video leak. However, with the recent disaster taking on the news coverage, the crime-ridden town is overflowing with news and updates ranging from natural disasters to petty theft. Can you keep up?
TASK 3 - EVERYBODY’S BUSINESS
For this task, we would like you to write an article for the next issue of the Grimm Chronicles. The purpose of this task is world building, and we expect members to focus on topics that present information on recent events (that may or may not be related to your character’s storyline, for example: recent robbery committed by a thief character), or that offer plotting opportunities (for example, a piece on an upcoming street fair or auction).
Below you will find a few newspaper sections and what to write for them, as well as how many points you’ll get for writing that particular type of article.
LOCAL NEWS (45 pts)
News Reports: these are found at the front of a newspaper. They inform readers about things that are happening in the world or in the local area. They will be full of facts, like names, dates and places, as well as points of view, eg “Local opinion is still divided over plans to open a new shopping centre.” Reports tend to have a more formal, neutral tone. (These would be factual reports on bigger topics, such as Madison’s case, the Earthquake disaster, measures to deal with the recent disaster, etc.) (somewhere between 200 and 300 words)
Feature articles: these explore the issues raised by news stories in more depth. For example, a report about young children left home alone could inspire a feature article on the difficulties of finding childcare providers in the local area. A feature article tends to be more opinionated and less formal than a report, often taking a personal point of view. (You can team up with a player who’s writing a news report to write a feature article related to it! Don’t do it with more than one person, however, as we would like some variety in the issue.) (no more than 200 words)
ENTERTAINMENT (30 pts)
Editorials, columns and opinion pieces: these are pieces by 'personality' writers, often celebrities in other fields. They might be there to inform (because the writer's expert opinion is valued), or they might be there to entertain (because the writer has a comic or interesting way of describing everyday life). Columnists develop a style of their own – for example, polemical or sarcastic. They create this style through vocabulary choices and rhetorical devices. They might use informal language to convey their idiolect. This individual style appeals to their audience. (If your character has a following or some type of expert career and is the type to seek exposition, feel free to write this as they would have. If not, use this for plotting purposes. For example, writing an opinion piece on the way the community is coming together to overcome the recent earthquake; or criticism on the decision to hold a street fair so close after the last festival’s fiasco, etc.) (no more than 150 words)
ADVERTISEMENTS (15 pts)
Classified advertisements: a small advertisement that you put in a newspaper or a magazine, usually because you want to sell or buy something or to find or offer a job. (It can be related to your character’s business, or be something completely unrelated, that hints at a recent event or presents a new plotting opportunity.) (no more than 100 words)
DEADLINE: MAY 6TH
Be sure to submit your article to the main by 5/6 so it can be added to the next newspaper post. If you need an example as to how to write your article, here is a news report example, a feature article example and an opinion piece example.
“I’M GOING TO ASK YOU A FEW QUESTIONS REGARDING MADISON REDDING’S DISAPPEARANCE. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?” Detective Mickey asks, cool and calm. He keeps his eyes on the paperwork with information about the case, even though he has it committed to memory. He’ll start off slow but deep down he’s almost expecting a confession right out the gate.
Chelsea Cheshire entered the dismal little room with her usual swagger and un-troubled attitude. Was this whole ordeal an annoyance to her day? Yes. Was she impressed by how quickly they managed to track her down? Also yes... The girl slowly crossed her legs in her chair and looked the detective in the eyes, her tongue already dripping with lies. “Alright Miss Cheshire I’ll get right to it,” said Detective Mickey as he opened a file, “you’ve got a reputation and I’ve got a whole town of people to question, so I won’t tolerate any funny business got it?” Chelsea’s signature grin danced upon her lips, “Strictly serious, sir,” she cooed with a lazy salute.
The detective nodded, electing to ignore her action, “Good, so Chelsea, what was your relationship to Madison Redding?” The brunette rolled her eyes, “Ooh detective, relationship is a pretty heavy label don’t you think? That would imply I had any history with the girl at all. Sure Grimmbrook is Grimmbrook and we’ve crossed paths before but unfortunately that’s as far as our little relationship goes. You’re pretty bold to be so assumptive,” she smirked.
In truth, Chelsea was lying through her teeth. She met Madison out of chance one night-- The little red-head was low on cheer and high in her needs for drama and attention. People in Madison’s position are easy targets for Chelsea, and are very fun to toy with. So, Chelsea took Madison under her wing for a night, sprinkled a bit of Pixie Dust, and the two bounced around Grimmbrook’s night-life excursions. After that, Madison would occasionally seek Chelsea out for an escape from reality until the girl started to grow her desire for power and control. When that happened, Chelsea lost interest in Madison. Control was boring to the brunette— she saw it as a far less exciting way to live. Still, Madison started to seek out Chelsea as one of her methods to get information on her fathers new girlfriend as well as gossip for her blog. Chelsea, of course, usually never gave Madison the whole truth when it came to gossip, but it was a useful exchange that kept Chelsea off of Little Red’s blog to maintain her mysterious profile that she loved ever so much.
Detective Mickey rolled his eyes, “It’s my job to be assumptive, not yours. Now, where were you on the night of February 28th and March 5th?” Chelsea ran a hand through her hair and scratched her head as she calculated an answer that didn’t have to do with her everyday illegal activities. “Both nights I was at work at The Royal Flush,” she said confidently. Her answer wasn’t a total lie, and she knew enough people could confirm in the short time that she indeed was at the casino, “a girl’s got to make a living, right?”
With a swift dance of his pen, the detective nodded and returned his attention to her, “Alright Miss Cheshire, last question from me and then you’ll be free to go. When was the last time you saw or spoke to Madison?” Chelsea pursed her lips and ran a finger over them in thought, genuinely thinking about the question this time. “Hmmm,” she purred, “Definitely well before the 28th. If I’m correct, and I usually have a pretty stellar memory, I'm pretty sure I saw her at the bar at the Midnight Pub on the... 21st? It was late... must have been about two in the morning. So perhaps technically it was the 22nd then. And before you ask why I was out so late might you consider that some people in this town still know how to have a good time?”
1. 7 rings by ariana grande // lashes and diamonds. atm machines. buy myself all of my favourite things. been through some bad shit i should be a sad bitch. who would have thought it’d turn me to a savage.
2. smile by maisie peters // it's my party. my body. my business. it's my town and my crown on my hitlist. it's my world and you're just living in it
3. the man by taylor swift // they'd say i hustled. put in the work. they wouldn't shake their heads. and question how much of this i deserve. what i was wearing, if i was rude. could all be separated from my good ideas and power moves
4. born without a heart by faouzia // i wasn't born like this. hurt people, hurt people. i'd rather be heartless. than have my heart in pieces
5. mother’s daughter by miley cyrus // oh my God, she got the power. oh, look at her, she got the power. so-so, so don't fuck with my freedom
6. own me by bulow // 'cause like, you love having the power. you think I'm such a flower. my petals are poison that you smoke on 'em. fuck that, let you choke on 'em
7. world burn by mean girls cast // i am a massive deal. i will grind you to sand
beneath my louboutin heel
8. empty by olivia o’brien // or maybe i've just had too much. to drink, to smoke, to swallow. i’m drowning up my sorrows. there's rules i'll never follow. pretend there's no tomorrow. i wish there was no tomorrow.
9. material girl by madonna // you know that we are living in a material world
and i am a material girl
10. stained glass by madison beer // my life's just a faded memory of one i can't have. and everything 'round me is starting to fade into black, mm. but black and white is so much better. i'm learning how to hide my colors
“What was your relationship with Madison Redding?”
The question rang in Winifred’s ear as she studied the table in front of her. What was her relationship with Little Red? It had been non-existent prior to her father’s death. No – murder.
But, as far as Detective Mickey knew, it had been non-existent until Madison’s untimely death. No – murder.
Because, as opposed to many people in town, Winnie hadn’t actually wanted her dead. Hadn’t actually wanted any of this to happen. In fact, it would’ve served her more if Madison was alive and well, doing exactly what she always did. Sticking her nose where no one wanted it.
But she was gone now. And so, one more resource was also gone. That alone was why Winifred had her guesses as to who had killed the Redding girl. The one person who’d have lost more if Madison had followed through their deal.
Now, Winifred would neer know what she found. What she’d discovered about her father’s death. She’d have to find another way. Madison and her had had a business arrangement but if Montgomery had taught her anything, it was never to invest everything in one venture. She’d learned that well at least.
“I didn’t really know her,” she replied, looking at Detective Mickey directly, “I only heard about her around town, saw her a few times but we ran in different circles. I spend most of my time between work at the Red Apple and charities and, well,” Madison wasn’t someone anyone would associate with charity.
He studied her and Winnie looked back, impassive as ever until he nodded and spoke again.
“Where were you on the night of February 28th and March 5th?”
She shot him a look, brows raised as her shoulders followed suit, “I was at The Red Apple –– you can check the video cameras if you like.” It wouldn’t show much, just Winnie moving from the front of house to back of house, through the kitchens and the break room, making her usual rounds on a busy evening.
“We’ll be sure to do that. Thank you for the offer. I just have one last question before you go, Ms. Snow –– when was the last time you saw or spoke to Madison?”
Winnie sat up straighter, hands on the table between them, “I saw her at The Red Apple one night before she disappeared. I don’t remember the day but I’m sure we have some sort of receipt or stub that has her name. Or, again, the security cameras.” She stood up then, grabbing her bag and slinging her coat across her arm, “I understand the need to be thorough,” she said, pushing the chair back in place, “it's horrible that she’s dead. It’s terrible no one knows who did it –– but that’s why we’re all here, isn’t it? You think one of us might’ve had a motive?” If only he knew that Winifred had more motive to keep her alive. But admitting as much would be admitting to more crimes than she’d like to.
He gave a haphazard smile, light and barely there as he held the door open, not answering her question. “Thank you for your time, Winifred –– you’re free to go.”
Alice was by far more uncomfortable than she’d ever been in her life. She’d always had a problem with authority, that was no secret. She’d been scolded many times by the police in town, but they never managed to catch her doing anything illegal. Yet here she was, sitting down in what she guess was an interrogation room. She was alone for a few minutes before a man walked in.
“Hi, Ms. Summer. My name is Detective Mickey. I’m just gonna ask you a few questions about Madison Redding’s disappearance. Is that okay?” he asked her as he sat down across from her. He laid out papers onto the table in front of him and looked at Alice.
“Do I really have a choice?” she murmured with a sarcastic laugh. He didn’t seem to think this situation was funny and Alice quickly quieted down.
“Did you know Ms. Redding?”
She looked at him strangely. “Everyone knew Madison, what kinda stupid question is that?” He seemed nonplussed by her attitude and continued.
“What was your relationship to her?”
Alice played with her hair nervously. “We were kinda friends, I guess. We hung out to drink and stuff,” she explained.
“You don’t seem that upset by her disappearance. Did something happen?” he pressed as he jotted down some notes on his notepad. Alice could feel the hair on the back of her neck stand up as she remembered the last time she and Madison spoke.
“No. We weren’t that close. Plus is anyone surprised about her going missing?” she defended herself. “What’s this really about? She’s probably off ruining another town.”
“Ms. Redding was found dead today,” the detective replied coolly.
“Dead?” Alice isn’t too surprised, that was her first thought when it was announced that she was missing. The woman had made a lot of enemies. Detective Mickey nodded at her. He looked down at his notes.
“Where were you on the nights of February 28th and March 5th?” he leaned back in his chair and looked at Alice as if he were studying her.
“Um, February 28th was a Friday, right?” She waited for the detective’s nod. “So, I was probably out partying. But I can’t really be sure. The days tend to blend together.”
“Is there anyone who could verify that?” he asked.
“Maybe Poppy Bell? I party with her a lot. Like I said, I’m not totally sure if I was out with her or not. Could have been out by myself,” Alice explained. She knew it wasn’t sounding good, but really who could remember what they were doing more than two weeks ago. Alice could barely remember what she did last night!
“And the 5th?”
“Um, I was probably at home. I don’t really go out on school nights. I live alone so there’s no way you could verify that, sorry.” She waited while the detective wrote some things down. Alice was beginning to sweat, she desperately wanted out of this place as soon as possible.
“When’s the last time you saw Ms. Redding?” And god, if Alice wasn’t already freaking out, she was now. She knew that she couldn’t be truthful or it’d look very bad. She hesitated before speaking, thinking up exactly what she was going to say.
“We hung out the the night of the 27th. I went over to her place and got pretty drunk. I ended up spending the night and leaving really early the next day,” she said.
“Did anything happen that day?” Detective Mickey asked.
It was like she was there again. Despite how drunk she was, she still remembers much of that night. She remembered singing loudly to songs on the radio. And she definitely remembers confessing to Madison that Alice might like girls and that she might be developing a crush on Poppy. “No. We just hung out like usual,” she spoke finally.
The detective nodded and started gathering up his papers. “I think that’s all for today, Ms. Summer. If we need anything else, we’ll get in touch.” He stood up from the table and Alice couldn’t help but release a sigh of relief. “Stay out of trouble. I’d hate to see you back at the station for a different reason.” Alice chose not to reply and stood up as well. He walked her through the station before parting ways.
Luke didn’t know why he’d been called in, and the familiar cold sweat he associated with the police station broke out along his spine. He’d figured the fact that he knew Brandon, was crashing on the man’s couch, would make him exempt from questioning. He’d never met Madison in person, and had never really wanted to, but he hoped that was enough to keep him from ever having to come back here again.
Sliding into the chair across from the detective, he let out a low sigh, and dug his hands further into his jacket pockets so he wouldn’t pick at the already fraying skin of his nails. A nervous habit he hadn’t been able to break himself of since childhood.
“What was your relationship with Madison Redding?”
Luke raised his brows in surprise at the question, but he figured it must be the general question they asked of everyone who came in. “I don’t..have one?” Luke shrugged and sighed when the detective only seemed to stare, causing him to slump further into his chair, “I’ve never met Madison Redding, and never really felt the need to. That good enough?”
“Where you on the night of February 28th and March 5th?”
Luke honestly had to think about that one for a bit. Life certainly started to blend together without an actual schedule to keep him on task, and with a low murmur he answered, “The 28th I was at--the Blue Caterpillar? And the 5th I was at the Midnight Pub.” When there wasn’t a reason to do anything, or people to share his evenings with other than an already irate Sheriff he felt he was imposing on, Luke spent most of his nights at the bars in town. Nursing the same drink for hours and waiting till it was late enough he could slink back to Brandon’s and fall asleep without having to deal with the man’s stare.
“When was the last time you saw or spoke to Madison?”
“Like I said. I’ve...never talked with her. Like, ever.” Luke frowned, wondering why that seemed to be such a foreign concept to them. He wasn’t exactly a social butterfly, and he could count the number of friends he had of his own merits on one hand. The rest of the people he knew were by proxy through his siblings, and that was fine with him. Even if most of those people chose either Sam or Dani’s side--Luke was fine. Because he had to be fine. He didn’t have a choice. “Is that all?”
usually when he’s at the station it’s for one of two reasons, to bail harrison out or to rage against the lack of evidence that the police have come up with about his mothers murder. neither endeavour is overly pleasant, and having been called in here to discuss one of his least favourite people is even less so. he knows they’re making him wait because of all the trouble he’s caused them, and he supposes it’s only fair. though tit for tat is a little childish for a statutory institution. he sighs tapping his fingers on the table, sitting up a little taller when his interviewer enters the room.
he doesn’t react as the detective stares him down, he doesn’t really remember yelling at this particular member of the force. but he knows it’s perfectly possibly and it’s not like he has a particularly stellar reputation around town even if this cop doesn’t know him from any of his many outbursts.
“i imagine you already know what you’re here to discuss the disappearance of madison redding.” is the opening statement, and it’s missing the most important fact about madisons disappearance. that she’s lying in pieces somewhere in a morgue. guy has no idea if they’re trying to keep that little detail a secret, but since the rumour has spread like a stench over town it’s a bit late for it now.
“ask me anything you want, though i do hope that you’ll be putting as much work into all of your other cases as you are into investigating miss reddings ‘disappearance’ or perhaps you save a full scale investigation only for the towns very worst people?” guy snaps, unable to stomach how the police seemed to be dragging themselves all over this case and leaving others to rot in the earth like fruit.
“if you’re going to be hostile mr locksley i’m more than happy to detain you for a few hours until you’re willing to be civil.” comes the threatening response, and guy rolls his eyes. he’d sue them for every penny of their measly budget if they tried anything like that. however he does want to get out of here as fast as possible, so he gestures for the detective to continue. “what was your relationship with madison redding?”
guy scoffs a little. “she published heinous libellous shit about my dead mother, and i’m the process of suing her for every fucking penny she’s worth. other than that i avoid her like the plague.” if it was up to him madison redding would have had to stay 100 foot away from him at all times but unfortunately she’d been a regular customer of the sherwood since before his time, and he couldn’t quite turn down the money that she paid for her special room despite his hatred for her. god he hoped her credit card would continue to be billed even now that she was dead, he’d take the money as reparations.
“so you wouldn’t categorise your relationship with miss redding as a friendly one then?” the detective presses and guy has to hold back from rolling his eyes. he didn’t think that madison had any friends in this town beyond her aunt, most other people would be glad to hear that they wouldn’t have to live in fear of her anymore.
“no. though i don’t think i’m a particular outlier in that sense. that blog of hers was a cesspool of lies. i’m surprised you guys didn’t have her in here to make her accountable for all the lives she ruined.” guy challenges, remembering smashing a chair against his wall after that bitch had the audacity to ask him for money not to publish that crock of shit about his mother.
“alright mr locksley, where were you on the night of february 28th and of march the 5th?” neither dates were anything special so guy has to whip out his phone to find out.
“on the 28th of february i was at the hotel in a strategy meeting about our next quarters renovations and on the 5th of march i was at dinner at the red apple restaurant with a friend, i’m sure i could provide evidence of both occasions should you need it.” guy drawls, hoping that this will be over soon and he can stop thinking about madison all together.
“no problem, just one more question mr locksley, when was the last time you spoke to madison redding.”
his blood boils again, as he remembers the smug smile painted on her face the night that she told him what she was going to publish. it makes him want to flip the whole fucking table right now, to smash his fist into the face of the fucker across from him and tell him how glad he was that the bitch was dead. instead he just clenches his fists.
“in person, when she checked into my hotel, and i wished her a pleasant stay. though i had a lawsuit served to her that contained my dissatisfaction at the article she published about my mother soon after.” he responds and then waits to be dismissed. as soon as he is he stands and briskly makes his way to his car throwing everything on the front seat as hard as he can at the backseat before driving off hoping to leave madison behind him forever.
