Play@YSDC

Friday 8th June

After a hearty breakfast of bacon and pancakes, and porridge for Isadora, the heroes begin their day. It is a bright and sunny early June morning.

The hotel has local phonebooks with listing for Jenning, but the name of Harny Rooger doesn’t feature. Visiting the Brattleboro post office when it opens at 9, they are told that post for Jenning is routed via the general store in that village.

"Looks like we'll need to go to the general store in Jennings and ask about Mr. Rooger there," says Alice.

Climbing into the touring car, the companions set off again for Jenning. It is another pleasant drive, and with the folding roof down, they can enjoy the warm sunshine. Balzac however, having consumed too much delicious venison and sauce the night before, is less effusive about the joys of the local environment, much to the others’ relief.

They arrive in Jenning at 10 and head to the store. It is a typical store of that kind, reminiscent of the store in Ross’ Corners, although perhaps larger than usual, and contains a wide range of goods, mostly food and household stores. More unusual items would have to be ordered or sourced in Brattleboro.

The storekeeper is a thin, elderly-looking man with a trim white goatee and an impeccable apron. There are a few customers who glance at the companions curiously, but there is no outright hostility. This is a small town, but not a backwater.

When the proprietor has finished with his customers, it is the turn of our heroes.

“What do you folks need?” he asks.

"We're looking for Mr. Harny Rooger," says Alice. "Do you know where we might find him?"

The man’s eyebrows shoot up. “Harny! Whatever would you want with him?”

"We''ve heard he knows some things about the local area," says Alice.

The answer seems to confuse the man.

“Well sure, but if you’re looking for sense, you’d be going to the wrong person. Why ever would you want to talk to him?”

He shakes his head, as in disbelief.

“What are you wanting to know about our town, Miss? Perhaps someone here could help.”

"Thank you," says Alice. "It's not just the town, though we would like to hear about that. We'd also like to know more about the mountain."

“The mountain? You mean Strafton? Well, I guess you’ve probably read about the fires in the newspapers. Is there something in the store you might need?”

He seems a little unwilling to take it further.

OOC,The townspeople are going to be worried about their reputation. If the investigators seem responsible and smart, they will be more likely to open up to you. Try rolling Credit Rating.

Isadora Carmichael
Credit Rating 35%
[dice]0[/dice]

Isadora looks responsible and smart... but maybe a bit too bohemian for local tastes, even in her "sensible" clothes.

OOC:   Henry is no longer wearing his blue suit. he is back in his everyday clothes.

OOC,[b]Balzac's[/b] [i]CredRating[/i] is 30% and he rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

The green suit, tie and bowler hat look somewhat distinguished, perhaps. Combined with polite manners and a winning smile.

Alice is dresssed to impress, wearing an elegant blue dress that is nonetheless conservative enough for a small town in Vermont, unlike her little black number that probably would have caused a scandal here. She carries herself with near-perfect bearing, and her command of the English language is excellent as always. "We've come to lend whatever assistance we can in the search for the missing reporter, Mr. Hodges," she says, indicating Henry. "This is Mr. Henry Glynn, the noted author who recently had a novel published, and I am Miss Alice Stanton, his editor, typist, and proofreader. Mr. Glynn is from around here and knows Mr. Hodges personally. Mr. Hodges sent him a letter shortly before he disappeared. We believe Mr. Rooger may have been in contact with Mr. Hodges and could have some information that would help locate him, which is why we'd like to speak to him."

OOC,Credit Rating roll (55% skill) in the general store: [dice]0[/dice]

The shopkeeper perks up in surprise at this news.

“Oh, I see! We’ve had a few tourists come through looking for scandal about those fires and poor Mr. Hodges. Why, old Missus Brown thought she saw some strangers hanging around his house last night! You folks seem respectable though.”

His voice drops to a whisper. “They still haven’t found Mr. Hodges. We fear the worst for him! The police called off their search this morning – haven’t found hide nor hair of ‘im!”

He pauses. “Of course the constables have talked to Harny. He lives closest to the mountain after all. But he didn’t have nuthin to tell ‘em. “

OOC,A successful Fast Talk or Persuade should get more out of him if you're looking for more information.

The sincerity and urgency of Balzac’s statement impresses the shopkeeper and the small group of locals who have begun to listen.

“We-ell” begins the shopkeeper, “old Hodges was mighty interested in the fires, him being a newspaperman and all. We really can’t account for the fires, but some tell tales of strange things in the woods, especially around Strafton Mountain. Nobody goes up around there now, especially after them fires were a-set. Police dint find nothing. Maybe old Bartley did, and he got a-roasted.”

The locals murmur and mutter in agreement.

"You mentioned that Harny Rooger lives closest to the mountain," says Alice. "Could you please give us directions? We'd still like to speak to him."