The World's Fair Hotel

Art can elicit all sorts of reactions. Delight, inspiration, desire... but also doubt, fear and dread...

This article is about The Dark Pictures Anthology's fourth installment, The Devil in Me .

The World's Fair Hotel
Installment	The Devil in Me
Act	Prologue
Chapter	1
Overall	1
Theatrical Cut
Playable Character(s)	Marie
Time(s)	3:31 P.M. 4:16 P.M.
Location(s)	The World's Fair Hotel, Chicago
Collectibles	2 (Inventory Items: 2)
Curator's Cut
Playable Character(s)	Jeff
Time(s)	3:31 P.M. 4:16 P.M.
Location(s)	The World's Fair Hotel, Chicago
Collectibles	2 (Inventory Items: 2)
Chapter Guide
Previous	N/A
Next	Crew

The World's Fair Hotel is the official prologue of The Devil in Me and the first chapter overall.

The player controls Marie (Theatrical Cut) and Jeff (Curator's Cut) as they spend their honeymoon in the World's Fair Hotel and are met with their demise.

The World's Fair Hotel, Chicago, 3:31 P.M., 1893

The front view of the World's Fair Hotel is shown as the streets in front of it are busy. As the quote from Hosea 8:7 shows up, some crows are seen on an electric pole. The game then tells that the player's choice has consequences and says some decisions save lives while other cause death, before asking the player to "choose wisely." While the sentences are shown on-screen, one of the crows flies away and lands onto the road with a rat having been trampled over by a tram.

As the screen moves up and shows a newspaper about the World's Fair Columbian Exposition, a couple can be heard talking to each other, who are revealed to be honeymooners Jeff and Marie. After both are romantic to each other, the couple has arrived at the front doors of the World's Fair Hotel. Arriving at the lobby, the couple is impressed with the interiors of the hotel. Jeff insists they check in immediately, but finds no one at the reception. Marie asks whether they are the only ones in the hotel, to which Jeff thinks the staffs leave for the fair.

Jeff rings the bell, but gets no response. He then rings the bell again. As the silence continues, the camera zooms onto a skeleton behind the walls of the reception. Jeff can be worried, criticizing the level of service, or be optimistic, talking about the wonderful things the fair will offer and their future. Marie can then be excited, insisting they go to the fair instead, or be reassuring, stating that the staffs must be busy elsewhere.

• If Marie is excited, Jeff insists they won't go to the fair until someone checks them in.
• If Marie is reassuring, Jeff doesn't approve the idea, thinking it's not a good way to run a business.
• If Marie says nothing, Jeff thinks the staff team is small and all of them must be busy.

Regardless, Jeff continues to ring the bell. Marie states that the slow service means that the staffs are making their stay perfect, which comes with a playful remark from Jeff about her always looking for silver linings. A man then comes up behind them and startles them, before apologizing for the slow service and for startling them. The man states his attention was needed elsewhere and moves to the reception desk, reassuring the couple that there will be nothing but silver linings from now on. The man welcomes them to the World's Fair Hotel and requests them to sign in.

Both honeymooners sign in, with Jeff going first. While signing in, the man asks if it's their first time in Chicago and if they're coming here for the Exposition. Marie tells the man they're coming for the fair, but also reveals this is their first day of honeymoon. The man gives them a room for honeymooners. Jeff questions if the rates are higher, to which the man reassures him the cost will be the same. The man reveals Jeff and Marie are the first honeymooners to visit the hotel.

• If the couple did not use the pen to sign in, the man tells them to not worry, as they can sign in when they want to check out.

Marie thanks the man, but doesn't know his name, prompting the man to reveal his name as Henry Howard Holmes. Marie compliments the hotel's design, after which Holmes appreciates it and reveals he built and designed most of it himself. Jeff asks if Holmes is an architect, to which Holmes answer he's an architect, a designer, a builder, a doctor, and an artist, impressing Marie. Holmes shows them the shops behind the couple before taking their luggage to their room. As Holmes walks up the stairs, Marie looks at the pharmacy while Jeff looks at the jewelry store. Marie can choose a bottle of rose water or a tin of face powder, while Jeff can choose a pocket watch or a necklace. After picking their items of choice, the couple makes playful remarks to each other before going up to their room.

Walking along the corridors, the couple notices a private room called the Rathlin Suite, making Jeff wonder if he has married a thrill seeker. Jeff breaks into the room, but is disappointed with the contents inside it. Marie notices something being covered with blanket. Hearing Holmes approaching, the couple hides. A Keep Calm segment begins.

• If the player fails the Keep Calm, Holmes finds the couple inside the room. He questions if they are lost, claiming the room is renovated. As the couple apologizes, Holmes remarks he can't have them falling through floors and having their brains dashed out. Afterwards, he forgives them, claiming he's only concerned for their safety, before directing them outside the private room to their room.
• If the player completes the Keep Calm, Marie claims it was a thrill, but Jeff angrily tells her it won't be a thrill if they got kicked out of the hotel and forced to sleep on the streets. Jeff then insists they go to their room. The couple quietly leaves the room and moves along to their room.

Having arrived at their room, Holmes hands them their key, before stating he has to leave as he has work to do while saying he will meet them again soon. After the door is closed, the couple is impressed with their room. Marie states that the room is fit for a king, whom Jeff adds "or my queen." The couple attempts to kiss, but Marie bashes a pillow onto Jeff's face, much to the latter's remark about her "not being wifely". A pillow fight ensues and each character has to complete several QTEs (whichever character completes more wins).

• If Jeff wins, he exclaims victory, after which Marie calls him a cheater. Both of the honeymooners kiss.
  • If Jeff chose the necklace, he reveals he has something for Marie, to which she questions if he's gonna throw it. Jeff claims it's an actual gift.
• If Marie wins, Jeff begs for mercy. Marie asks Jeff is something's broken, only for the latter to reveal it's his pride.
  • If Jeff chose the necklace, he tells Marie he has a peace offering, but Marie speculates it's a treacherous plot. Jeff reassures her it's an actual gift.

Jeff can then choose to present the item he chose at the counter.

• If Jeff presents the necklace, Marie jumps out of the bed. Jeff asks her to close her eyes and face at the mirror. After Jeff asks Marie to open her eyes, she notices a necklace on her, making her happy. The couple hugs.
• If Jeff presents the pocket watch, Jeff tells Marie he has something to show her. Jeff shows Marie a pocket watch, claiming he got it half the price it should be, after which Marie compliments it. As they stand up, Jeff asks Marie if the watch suits him, to which Marie can be disappointed or tell Jeff it suits him.
• If Jeff does nothing, he tells Marie to have her bath, and she tells him not to dawdle. When Jeff asks if she wants to rush off to the fair, she says it isn't going anywhere.

Jeff then lets Marie to have a bath while he goes to shave. As Marie turns away from the mirror to go to the bathroom, a peephole into the room can be seen. Jeff realizes he forgot to pack his razor and follows Marie into the hallway. Marie is trying to open the bathroom door, but struggles. Jeff decides to help and the players must complete a QTE to open the door. After opening it, Jeff and Marie agree to reconvene later.

4:16 P.M.

• Theatrical Cut
• Curator's Cut

Bathroom

Marie walks down to the bathtub and turns on the tap. She can then either apply some face powder or pour the rose water into the bathtub. She undresses and puts her dress on the curtain before relaxing in the bath. Noticing someone behind the curtains, Marie thinks it's Jeff and asks if he's coming here to play a game. Marie can continue to relax or investigate.

• If Marie continues to relax, she will stay at the bathtub as the person behind the curtains approaches her back. The person starts massaging Marie, making her relaxed. The massages soon become more harder as Marie feels hurt. Opening her eyes, Marie is shocked that the massager is Holmes. Before Marie can react, Holmes starts drowning her. If Marie chose the bottle of rose water from the pharmacy, she will smash the bottle at Holmes' face, but it proves futile. Marie's lifeless body lies within the bathtub as Holmes successfully drowned her.
• If Marie decides to investigate (which she always does in Curator's Cut), she gets up and approaches the curtains. Marie thinks she will catch Jeff, only to reveal the person behind the curtains is Holmes, startling Marie. Holmes raises Jeff's razor upon Marie, making her scream. Before Marie can react, Holmes slashes Marie's shoulder, before slashing her throat twice. If Marie picked the bath milk, she will smash the bottle at Holmes' face, but it proves futile. Holmes leaves Marie alone as the latter struggles with her injuries.

Corridors

Jeff moves through the corridors in search of stairs down to the first floor. He notes that the layout of the hotel seems to has changed and can try the door to the Rathlin Suite again, finding it locked, before eventually reaching a door at the end of the corridor. After trying the knob, a trapdoor below Jeff opens and he must complete a QTE to avoid it, though he will escape regardless of whether it is failed or not. Finding a pit of spikes below, Jeff is shocked and calls out for Marie. He can then explore the corridors again, gaining the ability to run, and as he makes his way back to Marie he can examine the trap, open a door to find a brick wall on the other side, and try a different door but find it locked. Eventually he hears Marie calling for him and runs toward her, reaching the bathroom and pounding on the door.

Holmes opens the bathroom door for Jeff.

• If Marie was drowned, Jeff threatens Holmes for touching her, but Holmes states it's already too late for that sentiment.
• If Marie had her throat slit, Jeff is shocked. Holmes tells Jeff that his wife had an accident.

Holmes asks if there's a problem as Jeff notices his razor in Holmes' hand. He can confront Holmes or run away.

• If Jeff confronts Holmes, he has to complete a QTE to punch Holmes in the face. If completed, Jeff runs to Marie's lifeless body. As Jeff mourns over his wife's death, Holmes grabs his head and slits his throat, killing him.
• If Jeff runs away (which he always does in Theatrical Cut), confronts Holmes but fails the QTE, or does nothing, he tries to escape but a wall closes in front of him. As Holmes approaches him, Jeff makes a break for a door nearby and closes it, only for the room to be rigged with pipes that emit poisonous gas. Meanwhile, if Marie investigated, she can complete a QTE to crawl towards the window and see Jeff (which she never does in Curator's Cut). Regardless of QTE failure, Jeff suffocates due to the gas.
  • If the QTE is completed, the honeymooners take a look at each other one last time before succumbing to their deaths.

Later, back at the lobby, Holmes reorganizes the jewelry at the jewelry store, and the Whitmans' possessions are shown among them. A different couple is impressed with the hotel interior, and the man notices Holmes and asks him if he works here. Holmes welcomes them to the hotel, grinning.

Meeting The Curator

The player meets with the Curator for the first time after the intro sequence. He approaches his desk and fixes his sleeves as a crow feather falls behind him. The Curator stands near the mirror and acknowledges the player's presence, before asking if they have been waiting long.

• If the player doesn't have any save files, the Curator welcomes them in his repository, which contains a vast collection of dark, frightening and horrific stories. He also introduces himself as the Curator.
• If the player has save files in any of the previous games, the Curator welcomes them back, saying it's always good when a familiar face returns and the player is in the mood for a new tale.
• If the player has other save files in the game, the Curator welcomes them back and say that he enjoys seeing a familiar face. He also makes an additional comment depending on the previous playthrough:
  • If everyone survived in the previous playthrough, he says that the player did so well last time, and that he's surprised they're back. He wonders if the player returned due to morbid curiosity.
  • If some characters died in the previous playthrough, he says the player is holding on a little guilt and hoping that this time around they might be able to save them all.
  • If everyone died in the previous playthrough, he says that last time no one survived and wonder if the player was even trying.

After that he can also make a small comment depending on the selected game mode:

• If the game mode is Movie Night, The Curator says there are several players and it's quite a party. He adds that "safety in numbers" is what people say.
• If the game mode is single-player, but the player has a save file for Shared Story, the Curator acknowledges that they are alone and say it's for their best. He will also remembers the saying about "too many cooks."
• If the game mode is Shared Story, but the player has a save file for single-player, the Curator acknowledges the player has brought a friend and say it's good thinking, adding that "teamwork may win the day."

The Curator stands in the center of the room and says it's so good to have company, because he was on his own for a long time. The Curator also explains that he barely recalls the time when he wasn't in the repository, watching over these tales and that there is no good in the stories without someone to experience them. He says that this story is about those who create and the lengths they might go to for their art to be made pure. The Curator sits in the chair and adds that this "art" can elicit all sorts of reactions, like delight, inspiration, desire, but also doubt, fear and dread. He notes that the way the player reacts and make decisions affects the story. The Curator finally introduces pictures mechanic to the player, which can give glimpses to the possible consequences of the player's choices. He reminds the player that sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can have the biggest repercussions and finishes with a small note:

• If the game mode is single-player, The Curator says the player is responsible for what happens, as they are culpable.
• If the game mode is Shared Story, The Curator says all players will experience the repercussions.

The Curator explains that he can't interfere, because it's against the rules and he can only observe what happens and record any significant events. He then attracts the player's attention and shows them a very old coin in his vest pocket, which people used to call obols and put in the mouth of the recently deceased, to pay the "ferryman." He encourages the player to look for them in the strangest places, because he is happy to exchange them and make it worth the player's while. The Curator sends the player to the story with the words "the game is afoot" and adds that he will be watching.

Collectibles

Inventory Items

• Rose Water Bottle - The object on the left as Marie chooses which to pick in the pharmacy. Cannot be collected if the face powder is picked instead. (Theatrical Cut)
• Face Powder Tin - The object on the right as Marie chooses which to pick in the pharmacy. Cannot be collected if the rose water is picked instead. (Theatrical Cut)
• Pocket Watch - The object on the left as Jeff chooses which to pick in the jewelry store. Cannot be collected if the necklace is picked instead. (Curator's Cut)
• Necklace - The object on the left as Jeff chooses which to pick in the jewelry store. Cannot be collected if the pocket watch is picked instead. (Curator's Cut)

Deaths

Inevitable

Jeff

• If Jeff runs, does nothing, or confronts Holmes but fails the QTE, he will suffocate from poisonous gas.
• If Jeff confronts Holmes and completes the QTE, his throat will be slit. (Curator's Cut)

Marie

• If Marie relaxes or does nothing, she will be drowned by Holmes. (Theatrical Cut)
• If Marie investigates, her throat will be slit, causing her to die of blood loss.

Trivia

• In the Theatrical Cut, the Curator's Cut of the second segment is played and ends after Jeff discovers the trap door.
• Whichever jewelry Jeff chooses will later be on display during Scouting.