Collateral Echoes of Events

Shelly’s Restaurant Review - 5/5

Dated - 13.04.2025

The food is great for a fast-food joint, especially considering it was almost 2 AM. The banana cake was amazing, fluffy and tender. The fish fingers served with their in-house sauce: chef’s kiss. The waitress looked overworked and tired, but she was trying her best. Poor thing, she kept forgetting the order. I hope she is compensated well.

Shelly’s Restaurant Review - 3/5

Dated - 03.05.2025

The in-house sauce was amazing, goes with almost anything. The service can be better. The waitress kept forgetting our order. There was also a lingering smell, a gas leak perhaps.

Shelly’s Restaurant Review - 1/5

Dated - 28.05.2025

Bad! The waitress was dozing off during orders. I’m pretty sure I smelled gas.

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HighTrust Electrical Wiring(copper) - 1/5

Dated - 14.06.2025

Don’t believe in the 5-star ratings. It cost me twice to replace these wires because they couldn’t handle a puny overload. It almost burned down my house.

Comments:

1. Cheap out on anything else but electrical components.

2. Why would you buy these after the restaurant incident?

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Dated - 10.06.2025

“I understand that you used company funds to get new CCTV cameras for,” a glance at the computer screen, “The Grimm area branch?” asked Pho Hailey, the accountant for Shelly’s Restaurant chain in the Grimm District.

“Yes!” replied Havier Esquella, the Grimm Area restaurant branch manager.

“But the existing CCTV cameras are in working condition. Why do you need more?”

“Well, the existing ones are of low quality and extremely dated. I thought we needed an upgrade to enhance our security, given that we are in a secluded area of the town and remain open till late.”

“Is there a security concern that you want to report?”

“No. Not particularly. No.”

Hailey was not convinced. “We have been running that branch without major issues for 18 years. In those 18 years, you have been the manager for the last–” he checked the computer again, “11 years?” Hailey asked.

“Give or take, yes.”

“In those 11 years, you never raised any such requests. So, why now? If there is no security risks, why did you spend close to 200k Units for new cameras?”

“Like I said, it’s just a security measure.”

Hailey was uncomfortably shifting in his chair. He just wanted to get it done with. “At least tell me why you chose this model so that I can justify the purchase.”

“Well, it’s a good piece of tech. Good resolution, 16MP wide-angled lenses, Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, good dynamic range for daylight, long IR range for better night vision, what else?”

“I meant, which particular feature?”

“Oh! I needed something with good night vision.”

“Why?”

“I found one of the cooks to be suspicious.”

Hailey knew that Havier was not a particularly bright fellow. That’s why they could manipulate him into keeping the same position for 11 years without any significant raise in his paycheck. “Why did it seem so?”

“Well, he always carries a huge bag with him, and doesn’t allow anyone to touch it. He fights for the late-night shifts, always insists on closing up after everyone. I suspected he was into nefarious activities post his work hours.”

“So, did the new cameras help?

“Absolutely. The decision to go for a good night vision camera was bang-on. You can write that in your report.”

“But what exactly did you find?”

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Woofer, E Series - 10/10

Dated - 01.05.2025

I purchased this woofer for my dance studio because my old speakers sounded horrible during recordings and streaming, especially when played at loud volumes. With the E-Series, I can play as loud as possible without losing quality. It also syncs seamlessly to my phone and watch, so I don’t have to physically go to my pc or pull out my phone during dance sessions. I’m so impressed.

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Calm Set Earbuds Pro 2 - 3/5

Dated - 05.05.2025

I’m usually not very particular about sound quality because I use earphones mostly for calls and meetings. But this one intrigued me because of the 15mm driver and the Sony collaboration. After a month of daily driving this, I can safely say that while the sound quality is great with good bass, I was extremely disappointed with the noise cancellation. I have an annoying neighbor who plays loud music, and these earphones are not helping. They promised noise cancellation under extremely loud conditions and didn’t deliver. But, it’s good for calls, even when outside. Avoid noisy areas!

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Dated - 12.05.2025

From: team.nseal@email.com

To: esquela.havier@gmail.com

Subject: Note of appreciation.

Greetings, Mr. Esquela,

Thank you for choosing our Fix-Anything line of products from N-Seal. We strive to deliver the best to our customers. If you liked our product, kindly leave us a positive review and a five-star rating. We will compensate you for your efforts by returning 30% of the purchase price. Kindly forward your details whenever convenient.

Regards,

Team N-Seal

N-Seal Putty - 5/5

Dated - 12.05.2025

I recently bought this for my workplace to fix a gas leak. It works like a charm. It’s easy to mix the two-part epoxy putty and apply it. It took only minutes to harden, and the leakage was gone. Like, seriously! I work at a fast-food joint and cannot emphasize enough the importance of a working gas connection. I wouldn’t buy this product if it weren't good. I recommend this.

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Dated - 28.05.2025

“The plaintiff may now make their opening statement.”

"Your Honor, this case is not about faulty bicycles; it's about false accusations and the very real damage they inflict. This case is about accountability. It's about protecting a reputable business from baseless attacks that undermine consumer trust and unfairly harm its livelihood.

On 4th May, 2025, the defendant, Bill Joseph, purchased one of our flagship models. It features a robust carbon fiber frame for unmatched durability and lightness, a meticulously tuned full suspension system that absorbs every impact, and most crucially, a top-of-the-line hydraulic disc brake system – universally recognized as the safest and most responsive braking technology. Our bikes undergo rigorous quality control, exceeding industry standards, to ensure every component, especially critical safety features like the brakes, performs flawlessly.

Furthermore, Ranger Pedal prides itself on its exemplary customer service. We invest heavily in training our support staff and maintaining a comprehensive support system designed to assist every customer promptly and effectively.

The defendant claims their bike's brake 'gave out' and that our customer service 'refused to look into it.' We will present evidence that will directly contradict these claims. We will show that our hydraulic brake systems are engineered with multiple redundancies, making a catastrophic failure as described by the defendant virtually impossible. We will also demonstrate through our detailed service logs and communication records that Ranger Pedal's customer service acted in full accordance with our publicly available policies and user agreement, providing professional guidance based on the information provided."

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RisingSun News - 1/5

Dated - 08.06.2025

Fake news alert. I am a resident of the Grimm Area. What these guys are reporting about the restaurant incident is untrue. There was no gas leak. It was an electrical wiring issue. There was a transformer overload in the area on that particular day. The lights were out in my entire block. I’m pretty sure that was the real issue. I just cancelled my subscription. Not paying any more for fake news.

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Comfy Sleeping Rag - 5/5

Dated - 07.05.2025

Comfortable, easy to carry around, and most importantly, keeps you warm at night.

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Bailey Dance Studio - 5/10

Dated - 28.04.2025

I spend sleepless nights and work extra hours just to afford these classes for my daughter, because she loves you and, in her words, wants to learn every bit of your intricate contemporary dance routine and fluid move-set so that one day she can become like you and inspire people like you do. But I am quite disappointed by the lack of transparency on your end, with no regard for responsibility or accountability. Classes are riddled with technical issues, and they get cancelled without prior notice. There is also no rescheduling to compensate for the missed classes. I have emailed you and your team multiple times, but have received no response. Please rectify this.

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Easy Stain - 5/5

Dated - 21.05.2025

Works like a wonder, even on older stains. It got rid of a very adamant coffee stain from a white colored shirt without harming the fabric.

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Ranger Pedal - 5/5

Dated - 04.05.2025

HOLY SHIT guys. I just got this bike and like…it’s not even a bike, it’s a legit jet engine, I swear I almost flew. The electronic shifting is butter smooth, instant gear change. Plus, it’s got the super lightweight carbon fiber frame, so it feels like nothing to pedal. It looks so sick, everyone’s been staring at it like ‘whoa, where’d you get that?!’ #nocap #bikelife

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Dated - 12.06.2025

“Do you know why you’re here, Bronco?” asks Detective Rory, seated on the opposite side of the table in a dimly lit room.

“I guess,” replied Bronco and stared at the detective.

“Judging by your nonchalant demeanor, I can also guess you’ve been in interrogation rooms before.”

Bronco doesn’t respond and continues to stare at Rory.

Rory continues, “Well, in that case, lemme get to the point. How do you know Nate Bison?”

“He was a client.”

“Care to elaborate?”

“Sure! He hired me to find dirt on his wife.”

“For reasons?”

“She kicked him out of the house. She suspected he was cheating on her with the waitress at the restaurant.”

“And was he cheating?”

“I don't know. Didn't bother.”

“Come on, Bronco.”

Bronco sighed, regretting taking Bison’s case. “He wasn't. He wanted to, I guess. He was hell bent on helping the waitress at the restaurant. The kind of piece of shit he was, I can’t imagine anything else. Anyway, she wanted extra shifts, something about dance classes, I don’t know. I didn’t look into it. No cooks were willing to work that late. So he stepped in.”

“And this made his wife believe that he was cheating, and he was kicked out of his own house?”

“Yup! He started sleeping in the restaurant. I helped him buy a sleeping bag.”

Rory jotted down the information and asked, “What about the wife?”

“What about her?”

“Well, since you were watching her, do you think she could’ve orchestrated the restaurant incident?”

“I don’t think so. She hated Nate, but she’s not the kind who takes lives.”

“Anything else before we let you go, Bronco?”

“She has a nasty coffee addiction, an expensive one too. They frequently fought over–”

“Okay, Bronco,” interrupts Rory, realising Bronco had nothing more to offer but jokes. “Thanks for your time.”

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RisingSun News - 1/5

Dated - 09.06.2025

I am a long-time viewer of your channel, so I can say that you guys can do better. Every report you gave of the restaurant incident was riddled with inconsistencies and unverified claims. Sometimes it’s a gas leak, sometimes it’s faulty wiring. No mention of the tragic loss of lives. As a local who often visits the restaurant, I am quite offended. Please do better! Some people still trust you.

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Ranger Pedal - 1/5(Updated)

Dated - 13.05.2025

I had a pretty nasty fall because the unfailable ‘hydraulic disc brakes’ totally gave out on me. The service center straight-up refused to even look at it, something about a clause in the user agreement about ‘wear and tear’ not being covered, even though I literally just got it. Like, seriously? A total rip-off. Be careful, ya’ll out there.

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Dated - 13.06.2025

“Mr.Joseph, I’ve got bigger things to deal with. So why don’t we get this over with, huh?

Joseph had nothing to say.

“Come on, Mr.Joseph. You’re not a criminal. Whatever circumstance led you here, you gotta tell us. I wanna help you out of this mess with the best possible deal. But you gotta give me something.”

Joseph knew he was fucked. There was nothing more he could do other than confess. But he could still negotiate some sort of a deal, like Detective Rory just said.

“Can you guarantee no jail time?” asks Joseph.

“We’re way past that, Mr.Joseph. You know that. I can only guarantee the least possible jail time, 3 minimum. With good behaviour, you can be out in 2.”

“That’s not good enough. Who will take care of my son when I’m gone?”

“Child Services will step in and take care–”

“No, no! Fuck that,” interrupts Joseph. “I’m not gonna let that happen.”

“You don’t have a choice, Mr.Joseph. Either you confess and serve for 3 years. Or you can go to court, where it’s guaranteed you’ll be found guilty; 7 years minimum. Think about that.”

Joseph breaks down, “Fine. I did it all right. I took the circuit breaker.”

Detective Rory pulls out his notepad. “Can you start from the beginning?”

“Well, I needed money. I had to pay my son’s lawyer.”

“The bike case?”

Joseph nods.

“Right. So you sold the component, the circuit breaker. And then?”

“I sold the 33kV VCB and replaced it with an 11kV. But I swear, the overload wasn’t my fault. I checked the plans. They were not supposed to connect anything more to it. That’s why the overload happened.”

Rory was confused, “What overload? Was there another?”

“What? No, not that I am aware of.”

“And who’s ‘they’?”

“The company I work for, or maybe the Mayor of our town. Look, I don’t know, okay. I don’t know who makes these decisions.”

Rory was still trying to make sense of the situation. “Did you steal and replace the circuit breaker on the same day?”

“Yeah. 5th June, 2025.”

“And you’re sure about that. 5th June, 2025?”

“5th June, 2025. Yes. I’m positive.”

Rory looked at the Restaurant incident report and checked the date: June 5th, 2025. When he sat down to interrogate Joseph, he didn’t know the two cases were connected. There were more questions now than answers. Two people died. Who is responsible? Joseph? ‘They’?

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Dated - 07.05.2025

“How long?” asks Rita.

“Jeez! Can you lay it off for a second?” responds Mace, annoyed at Rita.

“Hey, you wanted to tag along. Now keep up.”

Rita and Mace were members of a hacker group specializing in communication disruption devices. They were out in the field, testing a new piece of tech. If it worked, it could dynamically and precisely identify one specific human-audible sound source in a complex environment, isolate it, and then install a virus wirelessly just by pointing a transmitter at the source in real-time. Once the virus is planted, the device can be accessed from anywhere within a 10 km radius as long as the source has an internet connection.

“It’s done,” confirms Mace. “Ready when you are.”

“Powering up. Confirm full level on main array.”

“Confirmed. Solid reading, 100%”

“Fail-safes are engaged. Ready for activation.”

They sit silently observing the crowd from their van, through the camera, waiting for a potential target. Mace gasped suddenly, “Ooh! Daddy!”

“Mace! Focus.”

“What? He’s hot! Maybe we can target him.” She shoves Rita and grabs the lens, zooming in on the man. “Oh look, he got the new pair of Calm Set Earbuds.”

Rita couldn’t help but agree with Mace. He was good-looking for sure. Certainly her type, a well-dressed, rugged-looking man. He was pacing around, speaking to someone over the phone. Then she notices a lady in a shiny white shirt burst out of the coffee shop about 100 meters behind him. She had a large cup in her hand, walking swiftly, speaking to someone on her phone. Rita thought she would be the perfect candidate. She liked drama, and the lady looked agitated, ready to blow. “Mace. Hurry. The lady behind the guy. Point the transmitter at her.”

Mace was disappointed but followed her instructions. She pointed the transmitter and flipped on the switch, and the receiver came to life.

“Please don’t do that, honey. I have nowhere to go. I got no money,” begged the man on the other end, clearly in distress.

“Go ask that bitch! She’ll have her bed ready for you,” screamed the woman.

“Please, honey. Listen to me. This is a misunderstanding.”

Rita was intrigued by the ensuing drama, but she had a job to do. The receiver successfully isolated the signal with a crisp quality as if they were on the call with her. It was time for the transmission. “Planting the virus,” announces Rita softly.

Then they both stare at the video feed. The woman suddenly stopped in her tracks and looked at her phone.

“Did it work?” asked Mace.

Rita wondered the same. “Let me try disrupting her signal.”

In the audio feed, both the man's and the woman’s voices were audible, but they struggled to hear one another. Rita and Mace looked at each other and exchanged smiles; their tech was working. Rita tried increasing the disruptor signal, but it wasn’t making any difference.

“Maybe we need a signal boost. Should I get out of the van and try?” asks Mace.

Rita nodes. Mace grabbed the transmitter and was about to exit the van when they heard a scream. They immediately looked at the camera. The woman collided with the hot guy and spilled coffee on both. Rita imagined herself in the woman’s shoes for a second. Would he find her attractive, she wondered. Her thoughts were interrupted by Mace nudging her and gesturing, asking her what to do. “Get outside. We’ll find someone else,” replies Rita.

Mace opens the front passenger seat door, but before she can step out, a teenager on a bicycle, probably distracted by the commotion outside, comes in hard and slams against the open door, flying off his bike and landing face-first on the ground.

***