Play@YSDC

Thursday 7th June

After a hearty breakfast, the companions set off on their journey to Brattleboro, with Balzac driving. It is a gloriously sunny day, and as they speed through the Massachusetts countryside they can be forgiven for thinking that they are on an excursion to enjoy scenic New England, instead of the rather more somber task of locating a missing man.

Rolling through quaint villages and hamlets, they stop for lunch at Athol, before turning onto Route 91 and heading north. They cross the state line into Vermont, and in late afternoon finally reach Brattleboro.
Located in the Connecticut River Valley, many of the houses are clustered close together, giving it an intimate feel. There are many fine examples of colonial architecture going back to the town’s foundation after the French and Indian War. Isadora is pleased to spot a couple of art galleries nestled amongst the picturesque shops and churches.
A particularly nice spot to stay seems to be Hotel Brooks. George has provided Isadora with plenty of pocket money, so this might be a nice option to stay should they choose to begin their investigations here.

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora makes a mental note to check out the galleries later, although she suspects that her peculiar style might be too much for local tastes. But you never know what or who lurks in small towns...

She proposes to take lodgings at the Hotel Brooks, then go out for supper.

"Maybe we can try to gather some information about the surroundings, then rise early tomorrow and start looking for the lost journalist? Although, I admit, I don't have an affinity for the wilderness."

Henry Glynn

"We should get along to the newspaper office and see what else they know."

"Yes, that's a good place to start," says Alice. "If there's an organized search effort, they'll know how we can join it too."

Henry Glynn

"Bartley's no fool. He must have been on to something solid."

OOC:   Is it too late to go to the newspaper office now or is it likely closed until morning?

innsmouth wrote:Henry Glynn

"Bartley's no fool. He must have been on to something solid."

"Does he have a family, relatives we could talk to? Or a secretary or a colleague, who might know what he was working on?"

Henry Glynn

"Lost his wife to influenza a few years back and his son is down in Baltimore I think. He had some close colleagues at the Tatler so that might be our best bet."

OOC:   Is it too late to go to the newspaper office now or is it likely closed until morning?

[/quote]

OOC:   HoneyDog says - its almost 5pm now. Let's assume you all checked into the hotel. If you don't mind waiting a bit longer for dinner, the newspaper office isn't far away. We can move the action to there.

A little way along Main Street are the offices of the Brattleboro Tattler. Peering through the windows, the heroes can see that the small reception area is deserted, but there is a light burning in the room beyond.　The reception is covered by front page editions of the Tattler, recording significant events in the town’s history. While small, the offices are clean and well-kept

Opening the door triggers a bell, which soon brings forth a short man of around sixty years of age, wearing a wrinkled but fairly new suit, who eyes them curiously. He seems unfazed by Isadora’s unusual attire.

“We’re closed now folks” he tells them, but not in an unfriendly way. “Why not come back tomorrow?”

Henry Glynn

"Good day Sir, we're here about Bartley Hodges. He was friend of my father Henry Glynn Snr. We were hoping to speak to one of his close colleagues. Is anyone around? I can't quite remember any of the names. There was an Albert McLean I think, or was it McColl ..."

"McColl.That'd be me, editor of our little paper. Henry Glynn, eh? Name seems familiar to me." He rubs his chin thoughtfully.

"You'll be wanting the reward then? Well, where is he?" He pantomimes looking around the room in search of Hodges.

"Why'd you choose now to rekindle the old relationship Mr. Glynn?"

His tone is still mild, but he is obviously a little suspicious.

"We've come to help look for him," says Alice. "We were hoping to find out more about his disappearance here so we'd know where exactly to start, and to see if there's any organized search effort."

McColl mellows a little and looks at Henry. “A friend of your father’s you say? I see. But if you don’t know the area, it might be you we end up looking for! There are still some local parties with the police combing the area, but they’ll start to wind down. Bartley knew the area well and wouldn’t have just wandered off into the woods unprepared.”

He sighs and leans against the doorframe. “He worked for us here and after retiring settled in Jenning. He still contributed the odd story, as you know. A solid, reliable fellow. It’s awful to think so, but we thinking that as he likes to walk along Jenning’s Notch by the river there, mebbe he slipped in. If he did go anywhere particular, he didn’t tell anyone about it.”

Henry Glynn

"I know the area a bit Mr McColl - my family is from just out of Newfane. Pretty little village right? Don't suppose you know what stories he was working on? The one about the fires maybe? My friends and I are keen to help - we didn't come for the money."

"Oh sure! He was working on the fires alright. Not much else happening out in Jenning! But he definitely thought that there's something happening around that old mountain. I'm sure there must be a rational explanation though.

McColl glances over his shoulder. "He didn't say that much about it, and he didn't leave any notes here. Anyway, he's the type to want to have the whole picture before he starts to speculate. He's thorough like that."

He frowns and a shadow crosses his face. He is obviously upset and concerned.

"If you want to join the search then you should talk to the police. I don't think they'll have much use for you though." He looks at Isadora's attire doubtfully.

Balzac doffs the bowler. "I wonder, Monsieur, if we might have a look at M. Hodges' desk, if he had one? Fresh eyes might see something new? We promise we will take nothing."

Isadora Carmichael

Just for the record: Isadora did bring some sensible clothing, to put on when she directs the setup of her exhibition in Burlington...

When McColl says "there must be a rational explanation", Isadora suppresses a smile and asks: "So there are many rumors and theories abound, of an irrational character?"