PAULA PERIL

Long pampered by wealthy parents, Paula surprised her privileged childhood friends by leaving the Ivy League and studying Journalism at state college. Graduating with honors, Paula took her dream job as an investigative reporter at the Daily Gazette, a newspaper financed by her father’s fortune. Her knack for solving mysteries and uncovering sinister plots has built her reputation as a no-nonsense journalist, but her success often makes her the target of underworld characters and jealous rivals who would like nothing better than to see her suffer in one of their numerous and perilous traps!

From the time he was ten years old, James Archibald Smith III loved being behind the camera. He studied Art and Photography at the exclusive Harcourt College of Art and Design, where he was recognized as one of the most gifted talents the school had ever graduacted. Unable to pay the rent upon graduation, Jimmy took employment as a freelance photographer attached to the Daily Gazette. After four years at the Gazette, Jimmy has lost most of the enthusiasm he once had for his work. That is, until Paula arrived and made his job into an adventure!

Raised on the south side of Big City, Veronica Vilancourt had to fight tooth and nail to escape from the life she was born into. Veronica used her brain, beauty, and knack for manipulation to land herself in Harcourt University, the state's most exclusive liberal arts college in the state, but upon graduation, jobs were scarce, so Veronica took the first job available at the Daily Gazette, that of gossip and celebrity entertainment writer. She is insanely jealous of Paula, and will do anything to see her fail in her new position!

Forty years at the Gazette has made “Slim” Jackson a living legend for his uncompromising integrity, tenaciousness, and sense of the “big story”. A long time friend of Paula’s millionaire father, he’s willing to take a chance on an untested kid - as long as she can deliver the goods!

Raised in the tough neighborhoods of Big City, Carleoni is the mastermind behind most of the city’s organized crime activities. A ruthless career criminal, he’ll eliminate anyone who stands in his way. Carleoni is the chief suspect in the murder of Paula’s mother, and she won’t stop until he is brought to justice!

Rumour has it that a mysterious figure has been muscling into Chinatown’s protection racket, frightening the locals with his mystical and unnatural powers. Now he has appeared again, apparently looking for an ancient amulet of frightening power!