Matthew Riley

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Matthew Riley is a journalist for the daily periodical The Caprican.

Journalist credits for The Caprican

 

Daniel Graystone on Backtalk - A Near-Disaster Rescued by 'Terror Mom' is a The Caprican Entertainment article written by Matthew Riley. It was printed in Martius 2, YR42.

Story[edit]

Daniel Graystone's much-anticipated appearance on Backtalk with Baxter Sarno wasn't the cringe-inducing disaster that many were expecting. But boy, it could've been.

The spot began well enough, with the grieving father and troubled CEO of Graystone Industries entering the set with just a hint of uneasiness, looking great in a suit, as always. He took Baxter's opening jibes like a good sport, even trying to join in with a couple humorous quips of his own. Then the subject of Zoe Graystone's involvement with the MAGLEV bombing came up, and Graystone switched to a PR mode he was obviously uncomfortable with. He struggled with statements that were obviously scripted by his publicists, much to Sarno's delight, as he immediately challenged Graystone's awkward mumblings, which included "Zoe was...was troubled." Soon they were on the subject of the dangers of today's young people living in a virtual world with gadgets like the Holoband, and suddenly, the whole show was in a downward spiral.

And then Dr. Amanda Graystone, the "Terror Mom" herself, marched onto the set. (A surprise and unplanned appearance? This writer has his doubts).

Both Sarno and Graystone looked surprised and Dr. Graystone promptly took over the proceedings, showing none of the emotional imbalance she displayed just a few weeks earlier when she announced to the Twelve Colonies that her "daughter was a terrorist."

I don't want to go so far as to say the Graystones seemed to be genuinely enjoying themselves, but they did seem somewhat relieved to be going on television and talking about their daughter, the MAGLEV tragedy and the lack of moral guidelines with today's youth when they're entrenched in such vice-ridden virtual environments like the V-Club and New Cap City.

Sarno seemed genuinely bemused, himself, as the couple spoke of the challenges of parenting, claiming that their daughter was angry and defiant but most certainly not crazy. Daniel Graystone even made a surprise announcement regarding his company, a gesture that might go a long way in filling what appears to be a moral vacuum in our children.

Regardless of what was revealed and what new questions were conjured, I suppose the real question regarding the Graystones appearing on Backtalk is: Was it great television? Not really. But it was better than probably anything else that was on at the time.

External links[edit]


Preceded by:
Get to Know the Colonies' Greatest City
Daniel Graystone on Backtalk - A Near-Disaster Rescued by 'Terror Mom' Succeeded by:
Graystone Industries Out of the Holoband Business
The Military Machine: The Other Side of Graystone Industries is a The Caprican Politics article written by Matthew Riley. It was printed in Martius 29, YR42.

Story[edit]

It seems like we know almost everything there is to know about Daniel Graystone lately. We know that his late daughter Zoe was involved in a monotheistic cult called the STO and was supposedly a major player in the MAGLEV bombing. We know that his company's stock has been plummeting since he announced that Graystone Industries would no longer be taking a profit from Holoband licensing. We know that this financial trouble has inspired speculation that Graystone might have to sell his beloved C-Bucs, and the top contender to make that purchase is Graystone's number-one rival, Tomas Vergis of Vergis Industries, who's been seen lurking around lately.

But all this has been distracting us from what else is going on with Graystone Industries - the kind of stuff that's been going on behind closed doors and into the wee hours. Something that's kind of been swept under the rug in the light of terrorist bombings, Backtalk guest spots and public appearances with Tomas Vergis. I speak of the fact that Graystone Industries has a large-scale military contract, of which we have only the vaguest of details.

Yes, Daniel Graystone is the man behind fun gadgets like the Holoband - he's a "toymaker," as Vergis semi-affectionately referred to him. But he's more than that. He's developing something for the military: A robot army with which our wars may be fought. Come on - whether that's "official" or not, we all know it's true.

So why haven't we heard anything more about it? Has Graystone ceased development and production as his personal and professional life unravels? Have there been setbacks? Has he lost the contract? Or is work continuing apace and all of this other "news" in the world of Graystone Industries is conveniently keeping us from seeing what's behind the curtain?

What's going on?

Where, indeed, are the robots?

External links[edit]


Preceded by:
STO Training Camps: What Goes on There?
The Military Machine: The Other Side of Graystone Industries Succeeded by:
The Top 5 Entertainment Options in New Cap City
Vergis and Graystone: The Plot Thickens is a The Caprican Politics article written by Matthew Riley. It was printed in Martius 21, YR42.

Story[edit]

Tomas Vergis. Daniel Graystone. Something is definitely going on.

Yes, theirs is a "classic rivalry," as Baxter Sarno recently called it on Backtalk. The fact that these two are "friendly competitors," as Vergis himself called them, isn't exactly news. Each has been trying to stay one step ahead of the other for many years. It is, indeed, a conflict of almost supernatural proportions, like the Caprican Buccaneers versus the Tauron Bulls. But there's more to it now.

Something is definitely amiss. The signs began with Backtalk, actually. First Daniel Graystone appeared on the show and announced that Graystone Industries wouldn't be taking part in any Holoband licensing any more. Then Tomas Vergis (a proud and true Tauron up until this point) appeared on the show and announced that he would be getting his Caprican citizenship.

Big news from both, but not exactly groundbreaking - what's most notable is that the two most powerful CEOs on Caprica both appeared on Backtalk so close to each other. Was this a coincidence, or is there some brilliant double-agent PR going on here?

Secondly, Vergis said on Backtalk that he and Graystone were at a museum together the night before. Since when do these two get together to appreciate Fine Art? Since when are they seen in public together at all? There's more - several eyewitnesses report that Vergis showed up at a C-Bucs game recently and even crashed Graystone's executive suite at the stadium before Daniel had him escorted out.

There's talk that Graystone may soon find himself in a financial and political position that will force him to sell the C-Bucs. Is Vergis now the number-one contender to buy the team? Now that would be a slap in the face - owning the C-Bucs has been Graystone's fantasy since childhood.

Whatever's going on, there's nothing "friendly" about this competition any more.

Notes[edit]

External link[edit]


Preceded by:
Pantheon Bridge Getting New Safety Measures
Vergis and Graystone: The Plot Thickens Succeeded by:
New Cap City: Get Thee to Mysteries
RUMORS & WHISPERINGS: Is Tomas Vergis Buying the C-Bucs? is a The Caprican Sports article written by Matthew Riley. It was printed in Aprilis 5, YR42.

Story[edit]

If this rumor is true, then there are no gods. If this is true, I'm moving to Picon and living on a mountain and never watching another Pyramid game in my godsforsaken life.

Oh, gods! The more I write this, the more I realize there's no reason why this isn't true. It's been a downward spiral for Daniel Graystone and the C-Bucs since the MAGLEV explosion - players (traitors) requesting transfers, Graystone dumping Holoband licensing, Graystone Industries stock going down the drain, Graystone in enough financial trouble that everyone's saying he'll need to sell the Bucs. I knew this day was coming - I just thought that if I didn't think about it, it wouldn't happen. That old trick never works.

Oh, sports fans. It is a dark day. Daniel Graystone loves the game, and he loves the Bucs. Now he's got to sit there and watch his number-one rival take it away from him because he's got to make sure the electricity stays on at the office. How will Graystone be able to watch the Bucs ever again, knowing that the man who would delight more than anyone else in seeing him writhe in financial (and perhaps personal) ruin is calling the shots? What kind of world do we live in?

Sure, maybe the Bucs will actually start winning while under the iron fist of a hardcore disciplinarian like a Tauron. But that's little consolation when you look at the big picture, and trace the trail of tragedy that led us here.

Mourn, Caprica. The Bucs have lost their leader.

External links[edit]


Preceded by:
Sister Clarice Willow, Target of Bomb Plot
RUMORS & WHISPERINGS: Is Tomas Vergis Buying the C-Bucs? Succeeded by:
SPOTLIGHT: The Caprica Bay Waterfront

EXCLUSIVE: Hot New 'New Cap City' Cheats and Clues is a The Caprican Entertainment article written by Matthew Riley. It was printed in Martius 5, YR42.

Story[edit]

Don't let all that frakkin' crap on Backtalk get you down - New Cap City is still the best thing ever. And here are some new cheats and clues to make your stay in the big bad City a little easier, or at least more interesting.

Get into the Mysteries club without checking your weapons: When you enter the lobby, walk backwards past the concierge at the weapons check. It's a glitch in the programming - he won't notice you. Weird.

More after the jump...

Password to get a voucher at Johnny D's Casino: "Cellar Door." Say it to the guy at the first blackjack table. The voucher's not much, but when was the last time you scored a voucher at all at Johnny D's?

Increase Amp effects: Put the squeeze bottle under a hot light bulb for about two minutes. It's not too much of a boost, but it's probably enough to get you out of a jam in which a regular dose isn't enough.

Get a free room at the New Moon Hotel: I've gotten about a 50% success rate from players with this one, so use at your own risk. Tell the concierge that you're "friends with Mister Dalton." Apparently the owner owes this Dalton guy big time and is scared to death of him. If the concierge challenges you, say, "You're right, how could this be? Mister Dalton has no friends." That's the real kicker and will freak him out like nothing else - don't be surprised if he hands you the keys to the Honeymoon Suite after that. I have no idea what it all means. Again, use at your own risk.

Get an audience with Vesta just by asking to see her: Give one of her goons a chocolate cupcake, and they'll take you to the Queen without question.

I'm kidding. What are you, crazy?

External link[edit]


Preceded by:
GDD Raids Athena Academy
EXCLUSIVE: Hot New 'New Cap City' Cheats and Clues Succeeded by:
'Graystone Foundation' Established
Delphi Institute Loses Major Funding is a The Caprican News article written by Matthew Riley. It was printed in Martius 14, YR42.

Story[edit]

It is an unhealthy day for Caprica as one of our finest mental health institutions is now officially financially struggling.

The Delphi Convalescent Institute, a non-profit organization funded mostly by colony support and private donors, will lose over forty percent of its funding from the former in Quarter Three of this year. The news comes hot on the heels of rumors that Delphi was going to be cutting over twenty-five percent of its in-house staff in the next couple of months.

"These are hard times for our Institute," said Dr. Paul Martin, one of the senior doctors at Delphi. "We are still completely dedicated to seeing to the mental health of all of our patients, both old and new, but I'd be lying if I didn't say that we're going to need a little help in the near future to keep the lights on."

The loss of colony funding comes from across-the-board colony budget cuts, and Dr. Martin says the announcement doesn't come as a surprise.

"We all have to tighten our belts and be more savvy during these times," he says. "I don't blame anyone, and there's no use getting up in arms. We'll just have to come up with a Plan B, and probably a Plan C as well."

The Delphi Convalescent Institute was established in YR 01 and is part of the Caprica Mental Health Association. It currently houses over 120 patients.

External link[edit]


Preceded by:
The MAGLEV Memorial: It's Time to Move On
Delphi Institute Loses Major Funding Succeeded by:
EXCLUSIVE: Interview with the C-Bucs' Kevin Kovat
Whither the C-Bucs? is a The Caprican Sports article written by Matthew Riley. It was printed in Martius 23, YR42.

Story[edit]

No interview today. No musings on the athleticism of the other colonies. No, today we're going to keep it at home, and get down and dirty. Cold hard facts. What's going down with the C-Bucs?

C-Bucs recently lost to the Olympia Stallions, 17-35. Their chance for a wild card in the playoffs is looking doubtful. Doubtful, but not impossible. Voxrector Jimmy Cox and Serger Kevin Kovat might have a few tricks that have yet to pull. Yes, I've said that about the C-Bucs in yesteryear when they're not doing so well - that they might have a "few tricks." And remember that sometimes they do.

On the other hand, Graystone Industries stock is plummeting as sales of Holobands go to charity. Daniel Graystone in personal, professional and economic crisis. Will he be forced to sell the Bucs? Let's hope not. But stay tuned. These are strange times.

What else has happened? Some highlights:

C-Bucs beat the Picon Panthers, 72-57, which ended in a second six-minute overtime in which Kovat faced off mono-on-mono against the Panthers' Johnny Mayburn. And Kovat kicked his ass. Literally, if you remember. That was funny. We needed a laugh, as it was raining like there was no tomorrow.

C-Bucs beat the Sagittaron Archers, 88-3. How the Archers managed to get three points without collapsing is beyond me. I'm not going to be yet another guy to say this, but...OK, I will. Archers = Worst. Team. Ever.

C-Bucs were defeated by the Leonis Wildcats, 98-96, in a six-minute overtime that lasted approximately two seconds. The gods are, indeed, dead.

C-Bucs were defeated by the Boskirk All Reds because Jackie Donovan is the worst Regis in the history of the game. He's brainwashed his Sentios into consenting to his every psychotic whim and has never once in his miserable life made a decent call on or off the court. Possibly the most infuriating game in the history of the sport. And Jackie can slap me with however many lawsuits he can dig up - he deserved that little love tap from yours truly. Glass Jaw Jackie Donovan.

Anyway, it's been an interesting season, if not a great one. And it's not over yet. There are surprises in store, Capricans. Maybe even a few tricks. Stay tuned! Go Bucs!

External link[edit]


Preceded by:
Corporate Espionage: Is It Going Too Far?
Whither the C-Bucs? Succeeded by:
Who Is Barnabas? The Ghost of the STO
The Capricanization of Tomas Vergis is a The Caprican Opinion article written by Matthew Riley. It was printed in Aprilis 5, YR42.

Story[edit]

The Tauron community - of which I am a proud member - has been in an uproar since Tomas Vergis announced on Backtalk with Baxter Sarno that he would be renouncing his Tauron upbringing and pursuing his Caprican citizenship. And we have every right to be.

The Tauron community on Caprica fights an uphill battle every day of the week. We are the targets of racism and suspicion, of violent hate crimes and intolerance. We are seen as outsiders, as little more than thugs with an undeserved sense of pride and tradition. We have to deal with being called "dirt eaters," a term so offensive it's a wonder the gods themselves allow such cruelty and insensitivity. There are many of us who hold important positions in politics, industry and entertainment here on Caprica. We work hard, and we are recognized and rewarded for that work. There are many of us who are in places of power and respect, and we are proud of those brothers and sisters who have made something of themselves.

Now, one of our most prominent leaders - Tomas Vergis of the Vergis Corporation, one of the most brilliant inventors and engineers that the Colonies have ever seen, not to mention an intelligent and savvy businessman - is renouncing his heritage and becoming a Caprican. He's never publically expressed any pain or embarrassment regarding being a Tauron, so this news comes as quite a surprise. It is also an insult to the rest of us, who value pride, family and heritage above all else.

I say this to you, Mr. Vergis - your Caprican citizenship is just a piece of paper. Look in your heart to see who you truly are. It seems like you need a reminder.

External links[edit]


Preceded by:
SPOTLIGHT: The Caprica Bay Waterfront
The Capricanization of Tomas Vergis Succeeded by:
Canceron Wants a Fourth Pyramid Team
Canceron Wants a Fourth Pyramid Team is a The Caprican Sports article written by Matthew Riley. It was printed in Aprilis 19, YR42.

Story[edit]

Before I get into this madness, I just want to share a quick story about Canceron. I was there last year for a couple of days, and I wasn't in Psammos at the casino, I was in Hades, trying to get in touch with the people and keep it real. A seven-year-old kid kicked me in the crotch and his buddy punched me in the face and they stole my wallet after hitting me on the head with a log.

That's it. Yeah, Hades is as poor and frakked up as you've heard.

Now, on to Pyramid. Canceron, as you know, has three teams. Canceron calls itself "The Largest Democracy," because they're so frakkin' overpopulated. Apparently they can justify having three Pyramid teams because there's just so many people on the Colony. Whatever, I don't make the rules or sign the paperwork.

OK, so you've got the Canceron Hydras (who play in Hades, where, as I think I mentioned earlier, two seven-year-olds hit me on the head with a log), the Hades Vice, and the Mangala Krill. Three Pyramid teams. And because all these poor people keep having babies, Canceron is getting even more overpopulated, which means they want yet another Pyramid team for a grand total of four.

They're out of their minds, of course. What's the point? What could the League hope to gain from a fourth Canceron team? Hey, who knows? They've filled out the paperwork (yet again) and have made the bid. Maybe this year they'll actually get it.

They haven't gotten as far as deciding what the fourth team would be called, though. What do you think, Pyramid fans? The Psammos Claws? The New Hades Silver Crabs? The Hades Seven-Year-Old Thugs?

Gods damn those kids. I liked that wallet, too.

External links[edit]


Preceded by:
The Capricanization of Tomas Vergis
Canceron Wants a Fourth Pyramid Team Succeeded by:
Graystone Computers Recycling Program

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