View source for C-ASG01 (Sep 1, 1995)

<span style="font-size: 40px;"><strong><center>C-ASG01</center></strong></span>
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<h1>Puzzle</h1>
<p style="text-align:center;font-size: 20px">
“Deep in what hollow do the stern gods keep their bitter silence?”<br>
Owner Trivia | 1 Word</p>
<h1>Clue</h1>
<span style="font-size: 20px"><strong>Hover over the clues if you require!</strong></span><br>
<span style="font-size: 20px">Clue 1: <span class="spoiler-text">The Owner likes some poetry in his free time.</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: 20px">Clue 2: <span class="spoiler-text">From which collection does this come from?</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: 20px">Clue 3: <span class="spoiler-text">John Gray would know more about this.</span></span><br>

<h1>Answer and Explanation</h1>
<span style="font-size: 20px">Answer: <span class="spoiler-text">Silverpoints</span></span><br>
<span style="font-size: 20px">Explanation: <span class="spoiler-text">The clue is from a poem called Summer Past, which is, itself, from a collection called Silverpoints, penned by John Gray.</span></span>
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<span style="font-size: 20px; color:orange"><strong><center>⚠️BEWARE: THIS IS DECLASSIFIED INFORMATION. WARY EYES ONLY. ENTER AT OWN RISK.⚠️</center></strong></span><br>
<h1>Summary of Receipt</h1>
<span style="font-size: 20px">The Owner remarks on how interesting it is that Satan moves in as Lucifer, the CaD’s former co-owner, leaves. He then plans to track down Dorian Gray, and explains Satan's organisation: There are 3 tiers. The highest consists of people such as Pleasant and Umbra, and, rarely, a boogeyman. The second consists of the other boogeymen Satan has. Lastly, the bottom tier is his ‘consorts’ - either romantic or otherwise. Basically, those Satan has an interest in. While they’re not that powerful or influential, some consorts do get certain insights and gifts, such as Dorian Gray’s portrait. The painting allows Gray to travel between the Otherside and the Flipside freely.</span>
<h1>Transcript</h1>
<span>RECEIPT #001<br>
FILED UNDER: CAFE-ASG<br>
DATE: 09/01/95<br>
THE OWNER<br>
Well, it's been almost a year now since our co-owner Lucy Fireald left us. I wish I could say we've been doing just fine without her, but you all know some days are more trying than others. What I wouldn't give to go back to that summer once again. Well, perhaps I do know what I would give. The question is, would it have been worth it? Not to mention the Big Bad elephant in the room, Padre. Seems too coincidental that he would show up once she has left. He's making some sort of play he could only make without Lucy around. I wonder... if there were others like Lucy around, would he still feel so bold? Well, no reason to ponder hypotheticals. We must focus on the here and now, yes? 

And for us, the here and now seems to be Mr. Dorian Gray. A consort of Padre. As I understand it, Padre's little cadre has three tiers. At the highest is his Court, comprised of various high-profile customers such as Mrs. Pleasant and the odd terpsichorean customer. Then below that are the rest of his terpsichorean friends. Think of them more like workers in his operation. He makes contracts with each and every one of them, outlining what he will give them and what they can and cannot do. This is actually a power all six of his siblings share with him, but he is the only one who seems to indulge. Well, I say that, but I know of one of his brothers who also enjoys a good binding contract. There I go again, talking off the cuff. You'll have to excuse me. Finally, at his lowest tier are his many consorts. Husbands, wives, boy-toys, friends, jesters, and muses of Padre Santos. His consorts, romantic and otherwise, are simply people he finds interesting. They are not granted the same titles as his Court or dancers, but they tend to soak up many secrets hanging around Padre's house. That, and they tend to receive many strange gifts from Padre. Strange gifts like a portrait that contains Mr. Gray's eternal youth. 

Speaking of Mr. Gray, some of you must be wondering, is Dorian Gray not a fictional character? Well, that is true, but sometimes fiction is more than meets the eye. While it isn't my place to say who he was really in life, I know that our Mr. Gray was a contemporary of Oscar Wilde who took on the titular name of Dorian Gray in death. I don't know the exact details of whether Padre's portrait came first, or the nickname did, but functionally the character is similar to the real-life counterpart. I also heard Gray had a falling-out of sorts with Padre, about what I couldn't say. Perhaps it is tied to this whole church thing he has going on. 

Now about Gray's portrait. It was painted by Padre himself if you can believe that Padre is anything of an artist. The portrait allows Gray to traverse between Canada and America relatively freely, although it requires a certain amount of "sin" to stay youthful. It has a symbiotic relationship with Mr. Gray. The worse he is in America, the more powerful his painting becomes in Canada. The more powerful his painting is, the more youthful and American he appears. Of course, any harm done to the painting also harms Gray. Spoilers for Wilde's novel.

So now it is a question of where we can find Mr. Gray or his legendary portrait. Either one could be in Canada or America, but as I understand it, they can't be in the same country at the same time. I'll have Secret see if any of his connections know anything of his whereabouts. And to our new employees, keep your eyes and ears out. You'd be surprised how many people drink coffee around these parts.</span>