Play@YSDC

Ship Inn - Dunwich, England
11:35 AM - Thursday, September 5, 1985

Valerie and Elliot entered the front door of the inn as Lucius caught up with Story, Elizabeth, and Brook. Lucius was even more observant this morning than usual. He noticed right away that the TARDIS was not where they had left it on the beach off to the right, but he saw a lot more than that. He spotted a square depression in the sand precisely where the TARDIS had once stood, obviously an impression it had left. A furrow was gouged in the sand leading from the impression to the sea. In the sand were footprints. One set looked normal, and led across the beach from one end to the other, probably left by the old man they had met earlier. Another set was a bit too large to be human, leading to and from the water's edge. The furrow seemed to have eliminated most traces of them, but he was just able to make them out. The tide had come in somewhat since they had arrived, but it still hadn't reached where the TARDIS had been. The tracks were vaguely foot-shaped, though they seemed to be clawed, as if they were left by an animal. This was belied by the fact that they were bipedal. Whatever had left them had walked upright. One thing was clear. Someone - or something - had dragged the TARDIS into the sea...

Brook looks unhappily at Lucius. "No....he didn't move it. She's vanished. And we're stuck in the era of high hair, shoulderpads and pastels."

"She's got to be somewhere, surely?" says Elizabeth. "She wouldn't dematerialise without us. Maybe someone else has moved her? Though it would need pretty heavy moving equipment to do that."

Story looks from Lucius to the spot where the TARDIS was previously located then he looks to the sea and says, "I've got a bad feeling about this." He turns back towards his companions. "We need to find out what happened. Perhaps that old man who was searching the beach saw something. Come on." Turns and starts to walk to where the TARDIS was all the while looking at the beach attempting to locate the old man.

"Right, good idea," says Elizabeth, turning and following Story.

Brook jogs after Story and Elisabeth, looking around for the old guy with the metal detector.

Story and his companions reached the spot where the TARDIS had once stood, where they saw the depression and the furrow leading to the water's edge, though the others couldn't make out all of the details that Lucius had noticed. This stretch of beach was deserted, and there was no sign of the old man nearby other than his tracks, which Lucius could see led up the beach to the café.

"Into the water!" exclaims Elizabeth. "Who or what could have moved it that way?" She turns to Story. "The TARDIS will be ok if it's underwater won't it? I mean it wouldn't be damaged or anything by the sea?"

"Whatever moved it wasn't human," Lucius pointed out as he knelt down beside one of the footprints he could make out. "The old man looks to have gone into the cafe. I doubt he saw anything. It doesn't look like he went running to the cafe... and if I saw this thing ... I'd probably be running."

"The TARDIS should be fine. However, I've never materialized underwater..." Story smiles and then looks out at the sea for a moment before kneeling down beside Lucius. "A sea creature. So perhaps something really was watching us when we first arrived." Standing back up he says, "Well, perhaps we should head to the cafe to see if Mr. Baker is still there."

Story and his companions proceeded up the beach to the north and soon reached the Flora Café, which stood on a sidewalk leading to what a street sign called Beach Road. Off to the left along the road was a small building that housed only restrooms, and behind the café at the end of Beach Road was a large car park with only a few cars and bicycles in it. Beyond that, marshes stretched out into the distance to the north. There were a number of tables and seats arrayed outside. A few elderly people were eating here, including Zeke Baker, who was seated at a table by himself and enjoying some fish and chips.

Brook points at Zeke, then looks at the others. "That's him, isn't it? What should we ask him? "Hey, did you happen to see a big sea monster drag our phone box into the sea before you came here for lunch?" "

"Ha!" laughs Elizabeth. "Yes that's him. Or we could just ask if he saw what happened to our phone box, and see where that leads us."

Story smiles at Brooks comment, "We should probably avoid mentioning a potential sea monster." Story walks over to Zeke. "Ah, Mr. Baker...just the man I was looking for I. May my friends and I intrude upon your lunch?"

Zeke looked up and gave Story a gaptoothed grin. "Why, hello again, Professor Story!" he said. "Please, sit with me, all of you. It gets lonesome eating all by myself. If you're hungry. I recommend the fish and chips. I never get tired of it."

"Thank you kindly." Story looks at his companions and gestures at the seats, though he waits to sit until the ladies have sat down. "How is this morning treating you? Any luck on the beach with the detector?"

Zeke shook his head. "No luck, I'm afraid," he said. "All I found is an alumnium can. The deposit got me all of five p. Once I found an old Roman coin on the beach, did you know? It's in the museum now. I figure after lunch I'll go out on my boat and try my hand at some fishing. I should have better luck there, as the fish are plentiful."

"Oh we're going to go to the museum later," says Elizabeth, "so we must look out for the coin you found." She sits down at the table.

"Going out on the water later you say?" Glances at Lucius then looks back at Zeke. "How many does your boat accommodate...if you don't mind me asking?"

"It's a small boat, but it can seat two in a pinch," said Zeke. "Fancy a spot of fishing, eh? I reckon I can bring you along. All I ask is that you bring a little something to drink. Something...strong, if you know what I mean."

"Mr. Baker, you seem to spend a lot of time on and around the sea. Have you ever noticed anything strange? Particualrly in the area surrounding the sunken city bits?" Lucius asked the man.

Zeke raised an eyebrow. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.

OOC,Everyone may roll Psychology (or Insight for [b]Lucius[/b]).

(please roll for me)

Lucius was attentive when Zeke spoke.

Lucius Verres/Brook Davies,The way [b]Zeke[/b] reacted, it seemed clear that he did know something about sea creatures - and just as clear that he didn't want to talk about them. He seemed a bit afraid.

Story,The way [b]Zeke[/b] reacted, it seemed clear that he did know something about sea creatures - and just as clear that he didn't want to talk about them. He seemed a bit afraid. Perhaps he didn't want to say anything where others could hear him, or simply that he didn't want to discuss the subject at all. However, his mouth did water and his eyes lit up when he mentioned having something to drink. That could perhaps loosen his tongue.

Story realizes that in order to get the information they seek he will have to dig. "I would love the chance to hit the water with you and don't worry, I'll bring a little drink along." Story smiles at Zeke then looks at his companion and says, "Perhaps when me and Zeke go fishing you all can check out the museum? Only because Mr. Baker said the boat is quite small." Turning back to Zeke he says, "You don't by chance know what happened to the blue Police box that was out there on the beach do you?"

Zeke shrugged. "It was there when I left the beach on my way here," he said, squinting down the beach. "You said 'was,' so I s'pose that means it ain't there any more. Odd that it would just show up on the beach out of nowhere. Odder still if it's gone. Maybe whoever put it there took it away." He shrugged again. "The pub at the Ship Inn sells some good drinks. I should be done my lunch by the time you get back."

"Yes we could check the museum," says Elizabeth to Story. "The boat's certainly not big enough for all of us, and doing that would be an effective use of our time, while you try fishing."

"I'd rather go on the boat than to the museum, but if there's no room, I'll come along." Brook shrugs. "I can't buy any booze, though."

"No doubt the museum would be a bit safer," Lucius muttered to Brook. He smiled to Zeke and Story, "I suppose we should be off then."

Story leans over to Brook and says, "Did you say you have some money? Perhaps with a little something to drink Mr. Baker will open up some."

Brook nods. "I have a little. Not sure what liqueur costs in 1985, but you're welcome to it." She hands him the coins she has.

Story smiles and Brook. "Thank you." Looks at his three companions and say, "I'll be sure to catch up with you all as soon as we make land fall."

"Ok," says Elizabeth to Story. "Good luck with the fishing!" She grins.

Lucius nodded with a smile to Story, but his eyes were full of concern. He wasn't sure how much they could trust this local man, or any of them for that matter. He turned to the other man and nodded, "Mr. Baker, pleasure speaking with you again. Take good care of my friend here."

That said, the Roman began to head out of the cafe.

Story and his companions walked back to the intersection, where he entered the inn and the rest of them continued to the museum.

OOC,[b]Story[/b] is moving to the thread linked below.

Bottoms Up

OOC,[b]Elizabeth[/b], [b]Lucius[/b], and [b]Brook[/b] are moving to the thread linked below.

Tourists