Hunting 101 - Wednesday

[6buckstohisname.livejournal.com]

There was an assortment of items on the table at the front of the class, neatly laid out so everything was visible.

"Today we're gonna talk about the tools of the trade," Dean said. "Aside from a can do attitude and moderate death wish."

Hunting: fun for all the girls and boys. Just like a slinky!

"If it exists, there's a way to kill it. These things are the most basic items you can use on a majority of the crap out there."

Sam shot Dean a dirty look in the hope that he could discourage him from mentioning death wishes and, you know, scaring their students. "Salt is great because you can find it just about anywhere, and it can be used to guard yourself against evil spirits, and to keep them in place if you can get a circle of it around them fast enough."

Bitch, please. Dean was made to scare students. "Works on demons too. Won't stop 'em for long, but a face full of salt will sure ruin their day. And we know what you're thinkin'. Salt? Really? It's an old school purifying agent. Think of it as nature's response to the freaky shit in the world. Which would lead us into another old school purifier... fire."

"The only way to really get rid of a ghost or spirit is to burn whatever's keeping them tied to here. Usually it's their bones but sometimes you have to get creative," Sam said. "You also have to be careful--salt won't hurt you if you use it wrong, but fire... well, you know."

"Don't set your own ass on fire." Thanks for the clarification that they didn't need, Dean. He cleared his throat, picking up the iron poker on the table. "Iron also works on ghosts. Hit 'em with it and they can't hold themselves together for a little while. It's a handy club if dealing with other monsters too."

"Holy water... okay, that's probably a little harder to get unless you go to church a lot and bring a flask with you, and it's probably not something most people have on hand, but hey, that's what this class is all about," Sam said with a smile.

"We got a sheet with the blessing for you guys," Dean added. "Hope you brushed up on your latin."

"And if you didn't, we can help," Sam said quickly, shooting another look at Dean. It was creepy how all Deans had the same annoying qualities. "Take a look at some of the stuff we have and see if there's anything you think you can use."

All Deans were the best, Sam. Learn to live with it. Or, you know, end up in hell. Too soon? Too soon. "Partner off and think up what else you think should be in your hunting kit."

Working the Long Con [Wednesday, Period One]

[talentforlying]

"Right then. William Thompson was an American criminal and con artist whose deceptions caused the term 'confidence man' to be coined," John stated abruptly, once the bell rang. "So all of you aspiring con-artists can thank him for giving you a job title."

"Operating in New York City in the late 1840s, a genteely-dressed Thompson would approach an upper-class mark, pretending they knew each other, and begin a brief conversation. After initially gaining the mark's trust, Thompson would ask 'Have you confidence in me to trust me with your watch until tomorrow?' Upon taking the watch -- or, occasionally, money -- Thompson would depart, never returning the watch. This is because rich people are idiots, and it would have been considered 'rude' to refuse someone of their own social standing, and potentially caused a minor scandal if got out that they were scrooges."

"Thompson was arrested and brought to trial in 1849, in a case that made newspaper headlines across the country. The New York Herald, recalling his explicit appeals to the victim's "confidence," dubbed him the "confidence man." Per the Oxford English Dictionary, the first known use of the term was printed in The New Orleans Picayune. For those of you of the academic bent, the Thompson case was a major inspiration and source for Herman Melville's 1857 novel The Confidence-Man."

"So here's your assignment for today: grab a classmate or two and figure out what small-talk you need to make to get them to trust you. Think about what non-verbal cues you are looking for in people that let you steer the conversation, and give you the advantage you need to gain someone's confidence."

How to Be One with Your City, Wednesday, Period Two

[cannotdenyher.livejournal.com]

Same noir city, same noir time, kiddos! Except this time they started up on the roof of a building. Oh, and their teacher wasn't there. Instead, there was a note. Prominently enough displayed that they'd notice it, even if they were otherwise on their own this time.

Find me.
Use your senses, move fast, and don't get caught.

- The Spirit

P.S. Mr. Lightwood is now the TA. Congratulations, Mr. Lightwood.

That was helpful, wasn't it? Now, kids, listen to the city around you...