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The Dresden Files => DF Spoilers => Topic started by: Con on December 14, 2017, 12:01:41 AM

Title: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Con on December 14, 2017, 12:01:41 AM
I'm sure none of the Alpha's are stupid enough to sell drugs or do any stupid illegal profit shit that could get them sent to prison. However cops would have noticed the downturn in crime in the radius of the Campus. WOuld they assume those long term academics run the campus and make sure no hard shit goes down. and therefore would they assume the Alpha's are a gang to be kept an eye on?

Possibly run by one Harry Dresden an independent contractor who sometimes works for Gentlemen Johnny Marcone sometimes against him.

Harry Dresden is protected by former cop Karrin Murphy who has a dodgy reputation on the police force.

*shrug* from what I know of Chicago culture it seems a pretty accurate representation of the socio economic system.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on December 14, 2017, 12:08:12 AM
I dare say that your more cynical than me.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: forumghost on December 14, 2017, 03:31:47 AM
I think that the campus has a very well trained and discerning pack of wild dogs, and that as long as the only people being attacked are would-be muggers, the police find themselves remarkably indifferent to the situation.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Con on December 14, 2017, 05:05:30 AM
Hmmm yeah na cops get nervous when dogs wild or trained start attacking people.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on December 14, 2017, 09:26:24 AM
I am sure there are conversations like this:

Chief: I need to say something to the media people.
Snyder: So?
Chief: So? You want the usual story? Gang-related? PCP?
Snyder: What'd you have in mind? The truth?
Chief: Right. Gang-related. PCP.

Buffy-School Hard episode.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Snark Knight on December 14, 2017, 03:27:24 PM
I'm not sure the police would have noticed much. The Alphas were mostly targeting low-level supernatural threats. SI might possibly notice a decrease in weird stuff happening in their territory, but they're probably too overworked to look a gift horse in the mouth. I think they had a bit of a sideline in suppressing mundane street crime, but it's not like the gangsters they did run into are going to file a complaint to the cops about a pack of wolves running them off their turf.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Smaug with OCD on December 14, 2017, 06:19:36 PM
This is actually a really, really interesting question. Frankly, after everything we've seen so far, I'd be surprised if the normies haven't noticed what's going on. But, we don't get things from that angle. So, we can't know until it's revealed(probably around the BAT).
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Mr. Death on December 14, 2017, 06:39:07 PM
Yeah, I don't think the cops think anything of the Alphas, because they're just plain not aware of the Alphas.

Do you think the vampires they turn away are going to report to the cops?

Do you think muggers are going to be like, "Yeah, I pulled out my knife on this couple, then a dog bit me!"

Who do you think is going to be telling the cops that their attempts to rob/kill/eat people are being disrupted by dogs?
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Mr. Death on December 14, 2017, 07:11:49 PM
Probably the most "attention" the Alphas get is some coed on Yik Yak posts, "OMG, I was on my way home from a party, kinda drunk, and this guy tried to mug me! Then out of nowhere, a bunch of dogs ran him off. God is watching! #blessed" followed by a chorus of, "Right, that happened, sure."

If anyone does start reporting about dogs breaking up crimes on campus, that's just a weird enough story to get shunted over to Special Investigations, where Murphy promptly doesn't do a damn thing about it except tell Billy to try not to get caught on camera.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on December 15, 2017, 12:06:45 AM
Better the odd police report than the incident with supernatural fleas.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wyltok on December 15, 2017, 06:14:37 PM
I wonder how the general perception of the Alphas has changed in the post-Changes world? In Ghost Story, we see that Murphy seems to be using Will and his friends in a "Brute Squad" fashion, as it were, up to and including using them to scare people.

Between that, the fact that Marcone is funding the Justice League, and Murphy being out of the force, I imagine it's possible Will and Co. have picked up an... interesting reputation among the cops.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on December 16, 2017, 12:09:54 AM
Given the precinct attack that occurred in BK2 that was probably rumored around to other stations. And, the other on-screen public appearances of the Alphas. Cops talk to other cops same as soldiers talk to other soldiers. Word gets around.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Mr. Death on December 16, 2017, 01:47:34 AM
You know what happens to cops that go on about werewolf attacks?

They get bumped down to SI and their careers die there.

I think you guys are really overestimating how much chatter there's going to be about the Alphas.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: groinkick on December 16, 2017, 05:16:08 AM
(https://moviesfilmsandflix.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/wolfcop-beer.jpg)
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on December 16, 2017, 08:39:50 AM
What movie or tv show was this from?
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: groinkick on December 16, 2017, 07:05:29 PM
What movie or tv show was this from?

lol I think it's from a movie called Wolfcop
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on December 17, 2017, 02:31:18 AM
Looks cheesy enough to watch while drinking.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Kindler on December 20, 2017, 04:42:28 PM
lol I think it's from a movie called Wolfcop

I don't need to know if the movie is good or bad, because it doesn't matter. This is a thing that exists, and I know what I'm watching tonight.

Oh my God, the lead character's name is Lou Garou.

On topic, I'm sure that the cops are aware of them, but I don't think they particularly care. Crime is down.

Animal control, on the other hand, have very likely responded to many panicked phone calls, only to find nothing. I would actually love that short story, with some kind of obsessed animal control officer with a map of Chicago and pins stuck in it, desperately trying to reconcile wolf sightings with no evidence of a wolf den anywhere in the city.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Paviel on December 20, 2017, 05:38:43 PM
Wolves look a lot like huskies, don't they? And I can't imagine any of the Alphas letting any vanilla mortal get close enough to their wolf forms to tell the difference.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: forumghost on December 20, 2017, 05:54:43 PM
Animal control, on the other hand, have very likely responded to many panicked phone calls, only to find nothing. I would actually love that short story, with some kind of obsessed animal control officer with a map of Chicago and pins stuck in it, desperately trying to reconcile wolf sightings with no evidence of a wolf den anywhere in the city.

Every time he thinks he's cornered them, he finds Will and Georgia entangled together in the bushes. Eventually, he comes to the only logical conclusion:

"No no, you don't understand! They're Werewolves!"
"Of course they are Officer. You just come along now"
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Mr. Death on December 20, 2017, 07:15:31 PM
Wolves look a lot like huskies, don't they? And I can't imagine any of the Alphas letting any vanilla mortal get close enough to their wolf forms to tell the difference.
I'm not sure about a "lot," but probably close enough for government work if they're only being seen at night while they're moving quickly and in-and-out of bushes.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on December 21, 2017, 12:03:42 PM
Bumpus's dogs are running wild again.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Kindler on December 21, 2017, 03:55:26 PM
Wolves look a lot like huskies, don't they? And I can't imagine any of the Alphas letting any vanilla mortal get close enough to their wolf forms to tell the difference.

Wolves are much, much bigger than huskies. On the low end of the bell curve, male gray wolves are about 70 pounds—a bit heavier than the biggest huskies. Wolves can grow to 180 pounds. They're a bit taller, and about eight-ten inches longer, which is significant. They also have heads that are a lot bigger in relation to body size.

In short, just from pictures, you can confuse a husky with a wolf, but if you see a big one in person, there's no mistaking them. And you'll also likely need a fresh pair of underwear.

Add to that Harry's insistence that the Alphas are bigger than natural wolves—not as big as the hexenwulfen, but still beyond what you'd find in nature—and I don't see how anyone could see an Alpha and not crap themselves. Also, I'm constantly disappointed that Mouse and the Alphas have still yet to really hang out.

As for the Alphas not being seen at all, well, I can only speculate that it's unlikely they haven't been spotted enough times to attract attention over the last ten or fifteen years. They've been involved in too many crime scenes for their pawprints, for instance, not to have been noticed.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Mr. Death on December 21, 2017, 04:12:57 PM
"Sir, I found some paw prints at the site of that mugging."
"So? It was in a park. People walk their dogs. Don't waste my time."
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Rasins on December 21, 2017, 07:18:38 PM
Yeah, I don't think the police are really aware of them.  Then I thought of the Animal Control angle.  Though I like the thought of an obsessed AC officer with pins in a map.  That's funny.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on December 21, 2017, 11:06:18 PM
Especially if alot of pins are near pizza places and comic book stores.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Independent George on December 30, 2017, 01:34:19 AM
Honestly? The cops probably don't care enough to notice. The crime rate has gone down within the precincts, so brass get to take credit for doing a great job, the sergeants probably notice but won't stick their necks out, and the beat cops are just relieved they have less chance of getting stabbed on the job. Maybe a detective or two might notice seeing the same faces around, but unless they're getting paid overtime (which they aren't, on account of the lower crime rate), they're not going to poke their noses into it.

Whatever the investigative instincts of individual cops, the bureaucracy functions the same everywhere.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: groinkick on December 30, 2017, 01:39:05 AM
"Sir, I found some paw prints at the site of that mugging."
"So? It was in a park. People walk their dogs. Don't waste my time."

"Sir, according to our animal expert the paw prints belonged to a wolf estimated weight of 200 pounds.  Bigger than any wolf ever discovered"
"Get Karren Murphy on the phone"
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Mr. Death on December 30, 2017, 02:14:01 AM
"Sir, according to our animal expert the paw prints belonged to a wolf estimated weight of 200 pounds.  Bigger than any wolf ever discovered"
"Get Karren Murphy on the phone"
More likely,

"Jackson, I told you not to bother me with that crap anymore. Who cares if someone had a big dog there? Now get me something we can work with, or I'm busting your ass down to SI."

Seriously, unless you were in SI and served directly under Murphy, chances are you considered SI and her a laughing stock, a dumping ground for crappy detectives and people who couldn't hack it.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: groinkick on December 30, 2017, 06:11:46 AM
More likely,

"Jackson, I told you not to bother me with that crap anymore. Who cares if someone had a big dog there? Now get me something we can work with, or I'm busting your ass down to SI."

Seriously, unless you were in SI and served directly under Murphy, chances are you considered SI and her a laughing stock, a dumping ground for crappy detectives and people who couldn't hack it.

(http://www.reactiongifs.com/r/2013/08/dr-mccoy-and-captain-kirk-approve.gif)
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on December 30, 2017, 07:46:54 PM
I like that gif.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: groinkick on December 30, 2017, 11:03:19 PM
I like that gif.

lol thanks
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Independent George on January 02, 2018, 04:16:32 PM
Followup question: how does Murphy look to her FBI ex-husband/brother-in-law?

She was booted from the CPD under mysterious circumstances at the same time as a major assault on the local FBI office, followed by the disappearance of Harry Dresden (her known associate and target of a bombing). She's spent about two years openly working with known members of Marcone's organization (whom Dresden is also rumored to work for). As of Skin Game, she's just gotten severely injured during the same week as a massive gun battle at the site of one of Marcone's banks.

Under the circumstances, she looks like a crooked cop who had been on Marcone's payroll for years.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on January 02, 2018, 05:12:06 PM
Well, Murphy's ex has a bit of a jerky feel to him; so, he might have thought alot of bad things about Murphy.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: groinkick on January 02, 2018, 06:06:37 PM
Followup question: how does Murphy look to her FBI ex-husband/brother-in-law?

She was booted from the CPD under mysterious circumstances at the same time as a major assault on the local FBI office, followed by the disappearance of Harry Dresden (her known associate and target of a bombing). She's spent about two years openly working with known members of Marcone's organization (whom Dresden is also rumored to work for). As of Skin Game, she's just gotten severely injured during the same week as a massive gun battle at the site of one of Marcone's banks.

Under the circumstances, she looks like a crooked cop who had been on Marcone's payroll for years.

A part of the story I feel left a massive hole in the overall series...  Changes really did change everything including what appears to have been an interesting story arch.  It's like the series went from a who done it, to an action movie.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on January 02, 2018, 07:10:46 PM
Yeah, I really hope that PT is similar to a murder mysteryy dinner party. There is a body and a roomful of suspects.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Mr. Death on January 02, 2018, 07:20:20 PM
Yeah, I really hope that PT is similar to a murder mysteryy dinner party. There is a body and a roomful of suspects.
Or Clue.

Now I really want to see the last quarter of the book being Dresden hastily reenacting the rest of the book single-handedly.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on January 02, 2018, 07:32:41 PM
I loved when Tim Curry did that. I was, also, weirdly attracted to Madeline Kahn's Mrs. White.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Rasins on January 04, 2018, 07:15:31 PM
I so need to watch that movie again.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: wardenferry419 on January 05, 2018, 12:12:32 AM
Everybody should be required to watch it once a year. It is that good.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Rasins on January 05, 2018, 05:05:48 PM
I think the last time I saw it was when it came out in theaters.
Title: Re: To the cops of Chicago do the Alpha's seem like a gang?
Post by: Kindler on January 08, 2018, 02:25:35 PM
1. I do watch Clue once or twice a year. The timing in that movie is incredible. I've referred to it as my favorite comedy a few times, but then I usually remember Animal House.

2. You're right in that someone would have to be motivated to even look for paw prints in the first place. It's unlikely, but I also desperately want short stories about this very thing happening, mostly because I feel the absence of the Alphas heavily.

3. Since Changes, it certainly does feel more actiony. Part of that is the scope of the conflict has dramatically increased; reality is now at stake, rather than just Chicago. Skin Game was different, with reduced stakes, and felt more personal, but nearly every scene devolved into a fight sequence. I enjoy it, because I like the mechanical stuff, but I do miss the mystery aspect. Peace Talks and Mirror, Mirror are unlikely to be small-scale mysteries, but I think Fight Night (or whatever it is truly called) will be a more straightforward, noir-style whodunnit.