Play@YSDC

As you are escorted to your cabin, you cannot help but notice that the clothing of the shady looking crew-member was not fitting too well, despite the uniform being obviously well tailored. When you arrive at cabin 22 you find that Tommy Jackson is not there yet, so you stow your clothing in the wardrobe and lockers provided.

Albert Spenser says to the steward, "Please put the case on the upper bunk steward. Amazing ship, absolutely amazing.

Did you have a hand in putting her shipshape when she got to England?"

In a east end cockney accent the crewman responds blithely and with a smirk; "No I didn't - I ain't been working here long myself. Now if you'll excuse me, we have a lot of people boarding."

Albert Spenser responds, "Just one last question steward. Will you be our cabin steward for this voyage?"

With a somewhat usettling smile he replies that "Unfortunately not. However I do believe that the band will be starting to play at about 8 o'clock, some fifteen minutes after we set away."

Albert Spenser thanks the steward for his help. He then begins to unpack his belongings.

As he unpacks, he thinks "What a remarkably horrid steward. And the way his cloths fit, good grief! I hope this does not foreshadow a very bad voyage."

You are the last to board and Thaddeus Grant says as he places his hand on your forearm, "Hey there Jackson, I thought we were going to have to sail without you. Once you are settled in your cabin, I would like to see you in my office which is at the top of the gangway on the opposite side of the boat." You inquire of Captain Blunden at the top of the gangway as to the whereabouts of Mr Gran'ts office - He gesticulates over his shoulder as though he is not really interested in you or what you are saying.

OOC:   Roll spot hidden please

You are escorted on your way to your cabin by a surly crewman who shows you to your berth. he knocks on the door, indicating that Mr Spenser must be inside.

As you are unpacking, a knock at the door alerts you to a presence outside.
There stands another steward with the person you presume is Mr. Spenser.

Hmm. Rum lot of help they've got around here.
Tommy doesn't pay much attention to his surroundings, a bit embarrassed to be the last aboard. He offers his hand to his cabin mate.

"Mister Spenser, I presume. I'm Tommy Jackson. Hope to pick up a few pointers about shooting from you."

After settling in and some small talk, he asks "You know anything much about this Grant character? I'm supposed to meet him in his office in a bit."

The door opens and Albert Spenser stands in the doorway, a couple of shirts in his hand. There is something odd about the crewman who escorted you, but you cannot place your finger on it.

Albert Spenser puts down his shirts and offers his hand to Tommy Jackson and says, "Good evening Mr. Jackson. It appears we will be sharing this cabin for the voyage. It will be good to have your company. I'm at a loss why I was invited, but I would not miss this chance!

As for Mr. Grant, the first time I have met him was at the gangplank tonight. Seems like a very nice man. I've taken the upper bunk, but if you prefer it, I can take the lower one.

When we have time later , let me know about your shooting interests and questions. I always love to talk shop."

Albert Spenser waits until the steward leaves, then adds, " That steward was a bit surly. Did you notice the way his cloths fit? I hope he was just a last minute replacement."

Tommy enters the cabin once the crewman leaves and hears Albert say

"Good evening Mr. Jackson. It appears we will be sharing this cabin for the voyage. It will be good to have your company. I'm at a loss why I was invited, but I would not miss this chance!

"As for Mr. Grant, the first time I have met him was at the gangplank tonight. Seems like a very nice man. I've taken the upper bunk, but if you prefer it, I can take the lower one.

"When we have time later , let me know about your shooting interests and questions. I always love to talk shop."

Albert waits until the steward leaves, then adds, " That steward was a bit surly. Did you notice the way his cloths fit? I hope he was just a last minute replacement."

As Tommy enters the cabin, you both hear the muffled sounds of the jazz band tuning up their instruments and hear the crew casting off adding to the noise of the boilers taking up the strain and the paddle groaning into life as the boat moves away from the pier with a gentle roll. You check your watch and see that it is 7:45 precisely.

"Guess I better see what Grant wants," Tommy says, although he's tempted by the music. "Care to tag along? I'd like to know what you think about the Thompson submachine gun."

Albert Spenser finishes putting his shirts away, his face lightens a bit, and then says, "Yes, I'll join you. But, if it's a private matter, I'll take my leave. I'm ready to get out of this cabin Mr. Jackson.

As for General Thompson's creation, only bits and pieces of information have been let out. It's supposed to be a "one-man, hand-held machine gun" using a .45 ACP round. It would have been the best "trench broom" for use in the trench warfare of the Great War, but it was just developed too late. I've heard it has a fairly high cyclic rate of fire, as high as 1,200 rounds per minute (rpm). Downsides are it's a heavy weapon and it rumors say it requires lots of cleaning.

I wish I was as inventive as General Thompson!"

Thompson information from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thompson_submachine_gun

You descend to the reception area, but when you get there you notice that a stern looking man, who you saw directing the stewards when you came aboard, wearing a cap and a whistle around his neck on a lanyard standing before the doors to the dining room. Behind the doors you can hear the sounds of the band finishing the tuning up of their instruments. The reception area, even taking it's small size into account, seems packed with people waiting to see the band.
In among the people you can see in the crowd are the following;-
and
There are other people there as well, but in the general crowd this is all that seems to register with you.

Suddenly a shout from within the dining room exclaims in an American accent "OK Frank ... err I mean Mr Welsh, let 'em in if you would be so kind."

At this, the man who you take is Frank Welsh, turns and opens the doors before stepping to one side. "Please Ladies and Gentlemen, may I introduce to you, all the way from America - The Driskill Mountain Jazz Band." he says with a flourish that barely disguises his distaste for the task he is performing.

With the doors open you can see some of the band from where you are standing.
People start to file in to the dining room just as the sound of two excited women come down behind you. You both turn and see;-

OOC:   Tommy, as you turn you are somewhat taken aback to come face to face with Cynthia from your library

You both hear footsteps behind the ladies descending the stairs and two pair of gentleman's legs come into view.

Albert sees the expression on Mr. Jackson's face and queries him, "I say, old man, is everything in order?"

Tommy blushes a bit. "Pleased to see you, Miss Knight. Allow me to introduce Mister Spenser. We're sharing a room, you see." He realizes he babbling and turns to Albert. "I'm fine. Just a bit surprised to see a familiar face." Back to Cynthia, "Thanks for recommending Greenmantle by that Buchan bloke. It's smashing."

Albert turns toward Miss Knight and says, "How do you do? I'm very pleased to meet you Miss Knight.

He then faces the other woman and utters, "My room mate here is Mr. Mr. Jackson and I am Albert Spenser, I'm very pleased to meet you also Miss?

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