Play@YSDC

Plate glass and crystal chandeliers. Red velvet ropes and white-gloved doormen.
[img]http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... edited.jpg[/img]
Genteel clients stroll casually, ostentatiously, among the lots on display, accompanied by earnest young things in well-cut suits.

" … it was a birthday present from Mrs Grant's cousin, a Mr Spinks. Dreadfully heavy, but useful in … certain circumstances." says Grant to Harwood as they pass through the doors.

"Shall we start with the militaria I've marked in my catalogue, or shall we look at everything first and concentrate later?"

An Earnest Young Thing (EYT) glides over to you. "Good morning,.. gentlemen" she says, casting a slightly unfavourable eye over your suits. "Are you here for anything in particular?"

Harwood, distracted by the boss' story, pauses before replying. Whilst he contemplates a response the condescending figure approaches. Harwood fiddles uncomfortably with his tie and cuffs, suddenly horribly aware of his suit. It was at times like this he regretted the various family fortunes they were supposed to have lost. The opulence of King Street always made him feel out of place and on edge.

Give me Hodgson's anyday, he mutters darkly. He turns and continues, instinctively turning the accent up a few notches. Perhaps it would be worth going over the militaria? It would be good to get a better feel for the kind of thing we would stock. Perhaps after that it would be as well to take a closer look at the more...specialist items at which we were looking?

"The militaria literature from the auction of the American Embassy to the Court of St James? Of course, sirs" says the EYT. "Please follow me." As she glides over the parquet, she continues "Were there any particular items or time periods you wished to view first? There is some correspondence on the position of the United States Government during the Napoleonic wars that is attracting interest from historians and Napoleon collectors."

“That’s one of the periods I’ve noted will interest my customers, Miss.” Grant says, waving his catalogue. “So lead us to it, please.”


Sotto voce, Grant says “I hate this part, Harwood. Being escorted around, that is. Let’s see if we can escape her gimlet eye!”

The EYT leads Grant and Harwood to a desk against one wall, and distributes white cotton gloves. She unlocks a nearby glass-fronted cabinet, withdrawing a large volume bound in red Moroccan leather, which she places carefully on the desk.

Harwood nods distractedly at Mr Grant, flicking his hands across his pockets. He stops searching with a slightly puzzled look and then murmurs to Grant,

Actually, I was just wondering, given the importance of the commission, is it worth me having an early look at the items to get the lay of the land?

Grants nods his assent with a flash of his eyebrows at Harwood.

Placing his gloved hands on the red Morocco volume and gazing into the eyes of the EYT, he says “Well! What have we here, Miss?”

"Sir. The volume you are holding represents a selection of diplomatic correspondence from the American Embassy in the period 1808 to 1812, leading up to the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States of America. It includes a number of letters inscribed by Presidents Jefferson and Madison and by Prime Minister Spencer Percival. Of particular historical interest is correspondence concerning the trade blockades of the era and the 1811 Little Belt incident. The correspondence offers considerable insight into the practice of diplomacy and naval capabilities of the time."

This book you could probably find a buyer for, but it's likely to be a high outlay, due to the inscriptions. You might want to line up a buyer in advance of the auction. Feel free to create a bookshop Regular (p.17 of the Bookhounds manual) who might suit.

Grant raises his eyebrows at the EYT. “Ah! Now there’s a war that’s fallen out of everyone’s memory except for our North American friends. I’ll wager that the occupants of 10 Downing Street and the White House will meet on the bicentenary year and no mention will be made of the War of 1812.”
He opens the book carefully and starts examining the contents. “Now, let’s have a look inside. Hmm, yes, that's Jefferson all right, and Madison, …” Grant burbles on, identifying the authors of correspondence by their handwriting, and so on.

OOC,I am using [b]Document Analysis[/b] and [b]Textual Analysis[/b] not to find clues but to keep the EYT focussed on me to allow Harwood to do whatever he plans to do.

Harwood takes advantage of the EYT's distraction and detaches himself from her orbit. He moves away unobtrusively looking for the perfect spot. Maneuvering his way through the other people he locates what he was looking for - the Countessa's desires. He pauses, takes off his glasses and polishes them contemplatively as he surveys the room. Mind made up he moves over to a series of glass cabinets and starts making quiet notes on his catalogue. Whilst ostensibly surveying the lots he scans the room for parties with an interest in Irving.

OOC,I am putting Occult and Bibliography (for members of the trade) on standby for identifying interested parties, if neccessary then perhaps Streetwise or The Knowledge for those...more unsalubrious gentlemen who might be present.

“Well! That’s beautiful. Thank you, Miss.” Grant closes the book and annotates his catalogue with a pencil. Selecting a militaria lot that he knows he has a buyer for, Grant asks to see it, and tries to keep the EYT’s attention on him.

Once that's examined and the catalogue annotated, Grant visibly relaxes and says “That’s enough business. Now for a small reward. May I see the Irving Granada and Columbus lots, please?”

Hardwood: Irving's desk is easy enough to find. It is an elegant but ordinary looking Georgian roll-top writing desk in walnut, with lockable drawers. As you look at it, wondering at what hidden value it possesses, a waving reflection catches your eye. Turnign, you see the shabby figure of Laura standing outside the front window, peering in and trying to catch your attention.

Grant: the EYT murmers "sir, it is our custom to only bring one lot at a time for inspection. May I bring you the Columbus manuscript first? The Granada collection is currently being inspected by another client."

“You certainly may! Or the Alhambra if it’s idle …”
Grant keeps an eye on the EYT to see who else is near the Irving manuscripts and interested in them.

Grant watches the EYT as she walks to another cabinet. Nearby, at another desk, you spot a man you know from Fletcher's. He and another man - foreign looking chap, wearing a red velvet jacket in the middle of the day - are looking at a manuscript of some sort.

The EYT returns to Grants desk bearing a polished wooden box, which she carefully opens, withdrawing a large bundle of foolscap pages bound in black ribbon. "The Columbus manuscript, sir." Grant recognizes Irving's clear, flowing hand.

Harwood watches as Mr Grantis led over. He scans the room slowly trying to see if anyone is noting Grant'sinterest. He notices Laura at the window and gives a very slight nod, brushing his nose with his finger twice to show he has seen her. He takes a careful look around the room again making sure there is no one of interest before slowly and unobtrusively walking over to Laura.

OOC,If he sees anyone of interest he will pause long enough to makes notes, if it is other booksellers or agents he will simply make a note and head for the door, if it is anyone concerning or seriously out of place he will wait longer to see if they take any odd actions or take a particular interest before leaving his post.

Laura nods, marionette-like, as Harood slips back out the door. "Message for you from Jory". She sticks out her hand. It occurs to Harwood that she isn't paid a wage, and messenger boys usually get paid per message.

Harwood supresses a wry smile and hunts in his pocket for coins. He extracts a shillling and hands it over.

Thank you M'dear, what's he got for us?