Play@YSDC

The cars pass through the busy streets of Arkham, and the traffic gradually dwindles as they head out into the countryside. Although the roads are clear and they make good progress, the landscape is barren and frozen, dusted with a light covering of snow. The sky is grey and leaden, and seems to hang like a weight over the fields. The conversation fades as the heroes turn to the windows to regard the scenery. Perhaps some feel an inner tension, uncertain about what awaits them.

As they approach Ross’s Corners, they might be surprised to see that it is even smaller than they imagined. The economic situation has not favoured the small dairy farms in the area, and their businesses are in decline. As a result, the population is very small, only around forty, and is concentrated around one main street, with a few outlying farms.

Entering the hamlet, the investigators see some tired-looking buildings and homes, although the village itself is clean. It is obviously not wealthy, but its denizens are not paupers and are taking care of their surroundings. The main commercial and community centers seem to be a church, a combination general store / gas station / post office, and a milk depot.

Balzac looks at the general store with interest and starts driving that way. "Why not stop at the general store, see if we can't buy some nice country produce for a picnic, and ask direction at the same time?"

Balzac pulls the car over to stop in front of the general store, and Arthur, who is following in his car, does the same. As everyone gets out, they are watched curiously by some locals. However, this curiosity doesn’t seem to be of the friendly type – there are no smiles or greetings.

OOC:   OOC, Anyone is free to make a Psychology roll.

Henry Glynn

Henry whispers to the others:

"There's something stranger about these folk. I've known small town types out in Iowa who were real wary of East Coasters and the boys down from Chicago but this is different. We'd best be careful."

Alice nods, though she had not picked up on it herself.

OOC,Psychology roll (60% skill) about the townsfolk: [dice]0[/dice]

Under the gaze of the watchful and suspicious locals, the adventurers enter the store.
It is clean and well kept, under the watchful eye of its owner, a plump middle-aged lady, who watches them from behind her counter. There is fresh bread, some cheeses, some cured meats and tins of food, as well as tools and household goods. The heroes can stock up on whatever they think they might need for the coming adventure.

Arthur glances at the store, taking special note of the dried fruits. He whispers to Henry
"We should be both careful and inquisitive. The clerk has probably heard of gossip about the farmhouse."

Henry Glynn

Henry politely orders a loaf then makes a comment about the weather to see if the lady behind the counter is friendly.

"Say isn't it cold out? They say there's bad weather blowing down from Maine."

"Do we have enough light?" Alice asks the others. "If not, we should buy flashlights, or lanterns if they lack those. And of course we'll need food."

"Mlle, we have four flashlights already but don't let me stop you buying more. And personally I wasn't planning on staying after dark. Some picnic food, however, would be very much in order. And some cool drinks perhaps?"

Balzac, bowler politely in hand, cheerfully heads over to the cured meats and breads.

The storekeeper takes a loaf and begins to wrap it in waxed paper for Henry.

"It's always cold like this this time of year. You’re a large party” she continues. “What brings you all to our little town?”

She seems genuinely interested.

"We're friends of Professor Dennis Putnam," says Alice giving the shopkeeper her friendliest smile before looking downcast. "I'm sorry to say that he passed away yesterday. He owned some property in these parts, and we're here to help set his affairs in order."

“Oh, I’m sorry for your loss. You’ll be talking about the old farmhouse on Boone Road then. Nobody has done anything with it for years, but the taxes are always paid up. We make it our business to know what goes on in our community. I’m Ma Peters, by the way.”

"Thank you," says Alice. "I'm Alice Stanton, the late professor's secretary. Yes, it's t farmhouse on Boone Road. Can you please give us directions?"

“Certainly Miss Stanton. Head north out of town about a mile and a half. You’re on Boone Road. You’ll see the house on top of a small hill about a hundred yards to the east. Are you planning on staying long?”

"Probably not too long," says Alice, "but it's hard to tell. It depends on what state the house is in. Thank you again, Ma Peters."

“You’ll need some firewood. I doubt there’s any dry up there.” She goes out back and returns with a large pile, which she sets on the floor, and then begins to ring up the companions' purchases.

“Now Miss Stanton, while you’re up that way, be advised that a local woman went missing last night. She went out to check the barn but didn’t come back. It’s got people worried, so please you and your friends keep an eye out for any women alone that you might see. We’d be very grateful to you.”

"Of course," says Alice, taking money out of her purse to pay for her purchases. "What does she look like?"

“Oh, average build, short brown hair. Her name’s Maggie McPhirter.”

After a short pause she adds, “If you get any funny looks from locals it’s probably on account of that. Folks are a little shy around strangers right now. Don’t think nothin’ of it.”

OOC,Let me know when you all want to head out to the farmhouse, or if you want to stay in town more.

Henry Glynn

"We'll keep an eye our for Maggie. Was the barn anywhere near Boone Road where we're headed?"

OOC:   Sorry, I was very busy this weekend. Trying to catch up now.

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora is alerted by the news about the woman's disappearance. Maybe the thing is already on the prowl?

"This place seems peaceful, I presume it's not often people go missing around here?" she asks the lady.

OOC:   No problem.

“The McPhirter farm is about a mile from your farmhouse” says Ma Peters to Henry. “The menfolk will be getting themselves ready for a search. They might head your way, but they might not, so yes, please have a look out.”

She turns to Isadora who she has seen for the first time, her eyebrows raised quizzically at Isadora’s unconventional appearance. “Of course people don’t often go missing around here. What do you think we are?”