TEA-AOC03 (May 26, 2020)
Puzzle
“No. 0’s 21st Century Conflict of Interest.”
Research | Knowledge | 6 Words
Clue
Hover over the clues if you require!
Clue 1: Ignore the Research for now. What 'conflict of interest' does Jean-Marc have?
Clue 2: Ever since the end of the 15th Sphere, in fact.
Clue 3: Who is the current owner of the Cafe and Diner? Who did Jean-Marc use to work under in the 15th Sphere? Once you've got that, it's Research time.
Clue 4: Serving Mammon and God, huh?
Answer and Explanation
Answer: Ye Cannot Serve God And Mammon
Explanation: Jean-Marc had a 'conflict of interest' in the sense that, while working under the Bird (that is, God), he struck a deal with Mammon, Demon Prince of Greed. This is reminiscent of the Bible verse Matthew 6:24 (though 'mammon' there merely refers to money).
Summary of Receipt
Summary
Transcript
DATE: 5-26-2020
MANAGER NO. 7
FILE REFERENCE: TEA-AOC03
TOTAL: TEA
I wasn’t expecting Mammon to actually show up, but like, I guess he would want to collect his precious Antekey, right? Also, thanks, Victoria, for putting this on me. I love talking to creepy megalomaniac demon lords. He didn’t really say much, but not because I think he was trying to hide anything… he’s just… very self-absorbed.
S.O.T.
No. 7: Hey—uhm, Mr. Muldra, do you mind if I ask you some questions?
No. 2: Mr. Muld-oh, right, that’s me. That’s what you guys call me. Weird. Eh, better than being called owner or uncle, I guess. What’s up, kiddo?
No. 7: Uh, well, I was just wondering… why do you want these Antekeys anyway?
No. 2: Did Jean-Marc fail to fill you in? Ugh, what good is he anyhow? To seal the End, duh.
No. 7: Oh, no, I… got that. I think. The End… what is it?
No. 2: Are you serious? It’s the End.
No. 7: But what is—
No. 2: Look, this whole Otherworld thing is a huge mess. I don’t expect you to understand, but it’s like a big nasty parasite leeching off of the Otherside. So, naturally, I want that to stop. Right? No one likes parasites.
No. 7: So the End would destroy the Otherworld?
No. 2: Destroy? No, no—it’ll just put it to an… end. It’ll shut the book and put it up nicely on the shelf.
No. 7: Oh, okay. So, you’re trying to save the Otherside?
No. 2: Just Infernus, really. I couldn’t possibly care less what happens to my siblings Planes. Which is why, unlike them, I have been actively refuting this whole Otherworld nonsense.
No. 7: I see. But the other Planes…?
No. 2: Will be saved too? Sure. Whatever. Hell—I think once the Otherworld comes to an end, everything will be much, much better.
No. 7: Well, we’ve got one Antekey down—
No. 2: Three to go! How exciting. And how fortunate you ended up exactly where you needed to be.
No. 7: What do you mean?
No. 2: Well, I imagine this would all be so much more troublesome if we didn’t have a link to the Otherworld.
No. 7: I’m… a link to the Otherworld?
No. 2: Yeah, or something like that. Hey, I’ve gotta go, kiddo. The Flipside makes my bones itch. But! Speaking of you linking things, do you think you could link the fragments back together for me?
No. 7: I… can give it a try?
No. 2: Perfect, perfect. Keep up the work!
E.O.T.