This Old Neon Forum

While Edward is reaching for the socks, Oleg is immediately going back in for the screwdriver.

This should support springing that sparkling scrap from the scummy sinkhole!

Oleg starts unscrewing. I'll tell you that I rolled a 5 and you can decide whether that succeeds a non-asskicking roll or fails an asskicking roll.

Edward holds in his hands the most uninteresting tube socks in the world. Even by tube sock standards, these are unremarkable. They are of middling quality, but shouldn't fall apart without some effort.

Meanwhile Oleg triumphantly raises his arm, hoisting a disgusting brown screw like a trophy. He won this battle, but will he win the war? [There is a second screw]

Barry's been looking pretty dejected after his big whiff and seems a bit lost in his own head. Someone needs to snap him out of it.

Barry, not for the first time in his life, questions his masculinity.

Looking for some way to proof himself to these two strangers, notices a second screw needs to be unscrewed.

Barry walks up to Oleg and takes the screwdriver from him. "Let me help you with that lad". Barry attempts to unscrew the second screw. [Rolls a 9]

Barry does his best to look in control as he fumbles to match the flathead up with the slot of the screw. He mumbles something under his breath about the superiority of Robertson screws. When he finally gains purchase he torques down with a growl and promptly removes the handle from the screwdriver.

[The screwdriver is now useless for its original intent and the screw remains firmly in place.]
[Barry -1 bubblegum]

Despite Barry's many gaffes, Oleg is still intimidated enough by his appearance that he refrains from being too snarky. Nodding at the plenitude of stick & poke tattoos on Barry's arm:

You look like an art lover. Maybe you'd have a better time admiring that painting on the wall over there?

Meanwhile, Oleg deftly picks up the now handleless screwdriver shaft and goes back to retrieve the inanimate carbon rod that used to be a lamp.

Alright, one screw down should be enough to pry this little drain up.

Oleg hooks the flat end of the screwdriver shaft under the loose side of the drain like a makeshift crowbar and slides the lamp rod over it to give it some extra length and leverage. Putting his weight on top of it, he attempts to pry the drain cover up enough to twist out of the way, rolling a 5.

The old brass is no match for the hardened steel, and it bends easily. Better still, the second screw was little more than rust and it pops free under the pressure. Luckily, the key hasn't fallen in too deeply, clogged as it is, but it will take some care to retrieve it without knocking it loose and potentially losing it forever.

All that stands between the key and the abyss is a mass of slimy hair. Who's gonna volunteer?

The drain is too narrow to fit your hands, and just a bit too deep to reach with your fingers. This will be a non-asskicking roll (presumably, it's your game ).

Barry walks over to pick up a spoon he was admiring earlier on (rolls a 9).

Barry fumbles with the spoon and it slides between his fingers. Barry is not having a good day.

"Oy chaps, perhaps we could use the spoon to scoop up the key?"

[We done here? What's the scoop? I lost touch too.]