Play@YSDC

The investigators awaken the next morning, with the previous day’s events still fresh in their minds. The shocking violence and its bizarre aftermath ended in nightmares for some. But they are determined to get to the bottom of the mystery.

A look at the morning paper reveals some details about the shooting. The victim has been identified by his wallet as Peter Manusco, a self-employed accountant with no previous record. It is believed that he entered the Ballroom in a moment of weakness, and was mistaken for some criminal foe. It is reported that despite the gunshot, and being mortally wounded, he somehow willed himself to be alive, and tried to reach help but was again cut down, ironically by the very aid he sought.

The Mayor’s office announces the closure of the Blue Heaven Ballroom, offering thanks that such a cesspool of crime and vice has been located. The manager, Mr. Roland Marlow, has been arraigned on charges relating to the Volstead Act. A Bureau of Investigation agent, Roger Daniels, was present at the club and confirms the sale of alcohol.

OOC,All can roll Idea. (It's not about what you read in the article, but about another source of information.)

Something occurs to Alice when she reads the story in the newspaper.

OOC,Idea roll (65% stat) about the newspaper article: [dice]0[/dice]

Idea,Is 70% and [b]Balzac[/b] rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

Balzac had managed to get some sleep via insane quantities of Canadian whisky. The morning finds him horribly hung-over and reading the papers with shaking hands...

Isadora Carmichael
Idea 70
[dice]0[/dice]

Isadora has strange dreams... But "some ideas arrive in the form of a dream", as someone once said.

In the morning, she snatches the newspaper before her husband can read it. Luckily, he is mostly interested in the business and the theater section, which she hands over during breakfast.

OOC,To keep things moving I'll roll for Henry and Ron. Henry Idea 70: [url=http://orokos.com/roll/551980]Idea[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]89[/b] Ron Idea 45: [url=http://orokos.com/roll/551981]Idea[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]36[/b]

Alice & Balzac & Isadora & Ron,Looking at the paper, or standing at the newsstand, you remember or see that Boston also has the [i]Boston Guardian[/i], a newspaper for the city's black community. Maybe it might have some relevant information? The newspaper is very different to the [i]Globe[/i], both in tone and content. It is concerned solely with events and stories concerning matters pertinent to Colored Society. There is a long story on Marcus Garvey, an article on sharecropping in the south, and it's implications for Black health, education and general livelihood. It doesn't seem to overlap with other newspapers. There is no mention of the Manusco murder. [ooc]Can you think where in the paper there might be some useful information? If you [i]really[/i] can't think of it, roll Idea.[/ooc]

Alice flips to the obituary section. If there's a funeral, that means someone has died.

Alice & Balzac & Isadora & Ron,Turning to the obituaries section, you can see the funeral announcements. A funeral and procession is scheduled today for 11am at Morgan and Dupuy for Frederick Lincoln Fayette. The procession will be led by his brother-in-law, bandleader Mr. Mitchell Wester.

OOC,Will you all meet up at the funeral at 11? The time now is say about 8am. Is there anything else you want to do?

Balzac will stagger around to Isadora's about nine am, bearing patisserie breakfast, to discuss tactics for crashing a coloured funeral.

OOC:   Do the party know anything about the deceased, whose funeral it is?

"We need to dress the part," says Alice. "We should wear black and dress formally. Isadora and I ought to wear gloves and veils as well."

OOC,[b]Alice[/b] would probably be staying there too,

OOC:   Sorry, what I meant was can we make any kind of roll to know something more about this Frederick guy? The guy whose funeral we are gate crashing.

"I only have this green suit but I can wear a black bowtie." Balzac offers.

Isadora Carmichael

When all the people crash at her house, Isadora privately asks them to keep silent about yesterday's events... She doesn't want her husband to get nervous. She also asks them to refer to today's funeral as that of a distant relative of Balzac.

She puts on a black dress, and an elegant veiled hat, and gives something similar to Alice as well. If their dress sizes don't match up, she offers a big black stola-type garment that Alice can wear over her usual clothes.

Henry Glynn

Much of Henry's wardrobe is now splattered with blood and space fungus but he still has the grey suit and will impose upon George to lend him a suitable tie.

andyw666 wrote:

OOC:   Sorry, what I meant was can we make any kind of roll to know something more about this Frederick guy? The guy whose funeral we are gate crashing.

innsmouth wrote:Henry Glynn

Much of Henry's wardrobe is now splattered with blood and space fungus but he still has the grey suit and will impose upon George to lend him a suitable tie.

OOC:   Andy - Don't worry. To get more information, you'll have to search out earlier editions of the newspaper.

OOC:   Why on earth would Henry not wash the space fungus out of his clothes?

Alice chooses a black dress that, while light and sleeveless to keep her from overheating in the hot August weather, is not as revealing as the one she had worn the night before. A pair of black gloves and a hat with a veil complete the ensemble.

OOC,No, [b]Balzac[/b] is increasingly unhinged and erratic so he's happy to wing it without further ado. None of this research business.

OOC:   A distant relative of Balzac's?

OOC:   A distant relative of Balzac's?

[/quote]

OOC:   Good luck explaining that!

Close to the appointed time, the companions arrive at the address of Morgan and Dupuy in Isadora's car. They are suitably attired for a funeral, but their appearance as five white people at a coloured funeral attracts a great deal of interest from the other attendees. The deceased was obviously very popular, and the crowd numbers several hundred people.

After funeral is over the parade begins, and the crowd begins to move off towards the cemetery. Six pallbearers emerge from the funeral home, bearing a long pine coffin. The band, who you recognize as the 5-Stars from the Blue Heaven, strike up “I`ll see you on Judgement Day”. As the procession moves along the streets, more people join, swelling the crowd size. The investigators find themselves near the front, not too far from the coffin. The musicians are walking in a line behind the coffin, with the man you recognize as the band leader in front. The drummer is in the rear, banging the big bass drum strapped to his chest. All carry a serious and noble bearing.

A kind-looking elderly man in an old but immaculate suit is walking alongside our heroes. He glances at them curiously.

“Excuse me” he says. “Pardon me for asking, but we were wondering how you know the deceased? I thought I knew most of Frederick’s friends.”

OOC,Anyone can answer, but make it good!

"Mr. Fayette and I have a mutual friend," says Alice. "Mr. Wester, the bandleader."

Balzac gives a courteous nod to the older gentleman. "Monsieur, my name is Dr Balzac. Unlike my young companion here, I had cause to meet M. Fayette in my travels during the War. As I was in Boston for work when I saw the funeral notice, I felt I should pay my respects. Neither Our Saviour nor The Great Reward in the Hereafter are much concerned with the colour of a man's skin." At this, Balzac crosses himself.

These answers seem to satisfy the man, and he nods his head.

“Well, it’s nice of you folks to come” he says. I few minutes later you can see him telling someone else – the information is sure to be passed among the crowd.

Led by two motorcycle riding policemen, who stop traffic at large junctions, the parade continues through Dorchester. Fayette’s wife is walking behind the musicians with her family, her face buried in her handkerchief. Tears are freely shed by the attendees.

As you pass some storefronts, you begin to get the very odd feeling you are being watched...

OOC,Everyone roll Spot Hidden. Isadora should also roll Power x5.

Isadora Carmichael
Spot Hidden 30%
[dice]0[/dice]

POW x 5 = 65
[dice]1[/dice]

While Balzac masterfully handles the situation, Isadora keeps an eye (or three?) on the surroundings.

Now that he's off the sauce, Ron is far more alert and clear headed.

Alice spots something.

OOC,Spot Hidden roll (55% skill) at the funeral: [dice]0[/dice]

SpotHid,Is 50% and [b]Balzac[/b] rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   A success but not quit on a par with Isadora's roll.

Like a magnet, everyone's eyes are drawn to the same sight. In the doorway of a hardware store, the trumpet player lounges,smoking a cigarette, trumpet in hand. He looks disheveled and unshaven, but he is actively watching the funeral procession.

Isadora,You see the trumpet player clearly, and around him you sense the same aura you felt the night before. There is more though- someone or something else is watching, a distinctly malevolent being. For you it hangs like a stormcloud over everything. It is not the musician, but something linked to him.

Ron,It may be because his nerves are so keyed up after the night before, but Ron senses another presence apart from the musician. It gives him a distinct feeling of dread.

The trumpet player stamps on his cigarette and steps out of the doorway as the band strikes up 'Closer Walk With Thee '. He joins the band leader and begins to play, a sweet melody which draws appreciative murmurs from the crowd. It is there something else?

Everyone,Roll Listen.

Listen,Is 25% and [b]Balzac[/b] rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

Nope, Balzac is just listening to good (if sombre) playing.

"Something about this gives me the willies," mumbles Roy.

Alice only has ears for the music.

OOC,Listen roll (60% skill) at the funeral: [dice]0[/dice]

OOC,I'll roll for evil_scientist as he's busy. Isadora Listen 43: [url=http://orokos.com/roll/553655]Listen[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]79[/b]

Henry,To his horrified amazement, over the music and noise from the crowd, Henry can hear what sounds like moaning coming from [i]inside[/i] the coffin. It seems like some of the other people near the coffin can hear it too. [ooc]Roll SAN! If you fail, Roll 1d2 SAN loss.[/ooc]

Isadora Carmichael

"Is he cursed, perhaps?" Isadora wonders, seeing the uncanny aura around the trumpeter. She finds herself strangely drawn to this mystery and decides to talk to the man after the ceremony.

Henry Glynn
"Can't you all hear that? My God he's alive! Just like the other dead one!"

"Again?" says Alice. "The only common element both times is the band. Well, and us, but I'm pretty sure we didn't cause this."

Balzac turns to Henry. "I hear nothing but the music. Are you sure, mon ami?"

Henry Glynn

"Yes I'm certain. Alice must be right - it's the queer music that brings them back. But how and to what purpose?"

Isadora Carmichael

"There is something queer about the lead trumpeter," Isadora says, unable to put her complex visions into words.

She tries to think back to all the dubious books she's read on arcane topics. Sure there were mentions of the dead coming back to life - or unlife. Something Egyptian? Or Voodoo? Isadora is less prejudiced than most of her contemporaries, but she still instinctively associates the colored folks with such magical practices.



If applicable, a roll:
Occult 45%
[dice]0[/dice]

OOC,Good try Evil!

Suddenly the pall bearers lurch and stumble as the weight in the coffin suddenly shifts. Shocked and startled, they cry out in confusion and alarm. To the observer, it might appear that they standing on a waterborne vessel as they stagger to keep upright. A gasp issues through the crowd and the band cease.

Then the coffin lid crashes open and a hand shoots out. In a panic, the bearers drop their burden and the corpse of Frederick Fayette rolls out into the street. To the horror of the crowd, which shrieks in terror and astonishment, Fayette gets to his feet, his face grey and puffy, a bewildered expression on his face.

Everyone,I warned you! Roll SAN again to witness this terrible situation. If you fail, roll 1d6 for SAN loss.

Henry Glynn
"I knew it - he's alive!"

Isadora Carmichael
SAN 63
[dice]0[/dice]
SAN loss
[dice]1[/dice]

Isadora starts screaming and collapses to the ground...

Alice is disturbed, but not too badly, as she has seen this before and was expecting it. At least he's alive again, she thinks. Surely that's better?

OOC,Sanity roll (current level 65) for seeing the dead rise: [dice]0[/dice] Sanity loss: [dice]1[/dice]

SAN,Is 47 and [b]Balzac[/b] rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

SAN Loss,[dice]1[/dice]

Balzac has another terrible fit of the giggles, tears rolling down his cheeks.

OOC:   Crap!! Balzac has no luck with SAN rolls.

"Pull yourself together, man" Ron snaps at his companion.

Henry Glynn

Henry assists Isadora, helping her to her feet.

Hands reach out to help Fayette, who is moving jerkily and looking around the crowd wildly, completely confused by his predicament.

Just then, a woman, dressed all in black, who is obviously his wife, steps in front of him, her hands held out. She lifts her veil to reveal her tear-streaked face. Gazing at Fayette imploringly, she says, "Freddie, is that you?"

Fayette shakes off restraining hands and lurches towards her. His face is rigid with shock. Beginning to understand the situation, he throws back his head and gives out a horrific but pitiful wail, bringing gasps from the crowd. He collapses at his wife's knees, arms locked around her legs. Despite attempts to rouse him, he doesn't move again.

The investigators begin to hear a new whisper in the crowd.

"Buried alive!"

As this idea spreads, the mood changes from shock to anger. It starts to be directed towards a small group of men, one of whom is wearing a morticians top hat. Accusations begin to be hurled, and the mood becomes threatening. The police who were escorting the parade move to intervene.

Balzac calls out loudly, bowler hat in his hands, "Ladies and gentlemen, I am a doctor! Please allow me to examine M. Fayette before you accuse anyone!" Hoping this might distract the crowd's ill humour, Balzac takes a few (somewhat reluctant) steps towards the apparently-less-than-deceased. As he does this, he discreetly wipes the tears from his cheeks with a handkerchief and stifles those fits of giggles.

The people around Fayette, who still hasn't moved, part to allow Balzac to examine the man. He is definitely dead; there is no pulse, and what is more, his flesh is cold to the touch. Among the people here are the band, who are watching curiously.

Everyone,Please roll Spot Hidden ( it's not about Fayette).

Ron is completely absorbed by the supposedly deceased man emerging from the coffin

The sight of Mr Fayette getting up and moving around has completely distracted Alice.

OOC,Spot Hidden roll (55% skill) at the funeral: [dice]0[/dice]

Isadora Carmichael
Spot Hidden 30%
[dice]0[/dice]

Despite her shock, or maybe as a side effect of the trauma, Isadora notices something.

SpotHid,Is 50% and [b]Balzac[/b] rolls... [dice]0[/dice]

Heightened by his nervousness, Balzac is aware...

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora's first instinct is to run after the man, but the she makes up her mind, and looks for the closest policeman. "That man has a gun!" she exclaims, pointing to the car and the man.

Balzac squints aggressively through his specs, trying to get the car's registration.

Several people look around curiously, but the car is already pulling away. Like last night, there appears to be no registration plate attached.

The police have managed to spirit the funeral director and his colleagues away from the scene. The crowd is now beginning to break up in confusion, although there is still a group clustered around the body of Fayette and his wife.

“What’s the story Doctor?” asks one of the band members to Balzac. The investigators recognize him as the bandleader, who helped them the night before.

Alice looks around in vain, but the car is already gone.

Balzac addresses both the (re)deceased's wife and the bandleader, shaking his head sadly. "Madame, Monsieur, I regret to tell you that M. Fayette is most definitely deceased. What we just witnessed is the medical mystery. I can only guess he had one last burst of life still in him but it is now gone, alas."

"May I suggest we move him back to the coffin for propriety? I suspect the authorities may wish to conduct the further examinations though, before he can finally be laid to rest."

OOC,Can [b]Balzac[/b] make a Medicine or any other roll to note anything unusual about Fayette?

OOC,Fayette is not only dead – he’s embalmed! What happened is medically impossible. There’s nothing natural here.

The event is too much for Fayette’s wife. With a gasp, she collapses and is immediately tended to by family.

The bandleader takes charge. “Okay guys, you heard the Doc. Let’s get him back.”

Willing hands lift Fayette back to the coffin, which is again borne upon the shoulders of his friends. This time, they head in the opposite direction, back to where they came from. The remaining people are obviously distressed and shocked, and many are openly weeping. Many others are seen to cross themselves. There's no doubt that this event will be talked about for years to come.

"But...how could this happen?" Alice asks.

"When I was in the war we had one lad come in with shrapnel in his forehead," says Ron. "He was unconscious for over a week with barely a sign of life. He expired eventually, but before he did so he opened his eyes and talked. I wouldn't be surprised if this is the same thing, the doctor who declared Fayette dead was probably not paying his fullest attention and missed subtle signs of life."

Balzac’s and Ron’s explanations seem satisfy the surrounding funeral-goers, who nod in understanding. Whether they can satisfy our heroes is another matter.

“Thanks for your help gentlemen” says the bandleader. “We appreciate it. My name’s Wester. Mitch Wester”.

He stops a moment. “Now I remember you! You folks were at the Blue Heaven last night!”

"Yes, that's right," says Alice. "I'm Alice Stanton. It's good to see you again. Thank you for helping us get out of there."

“You’re welcome” replies Wester. “What brings you here, if you don’t mind me asking?”

His tone is friendly, but he is genuinely curious.

"Well, I knew you'd be here," says Alice. "I never did get to properly thank you last night, and another opportunity to hear your music wouldn't go amiss. And I would like to talk about what happened, if you don't mind."

Wester’s brow furrows.

“You mean what happened last night? We couldn’t really see anything from the stage. I saw people begin to run out, and heard the screaming. I got a glimpse of some guy covered in blood. Hey, he wasn’t a friend of yours, was he?”

"No," says Alice, "we just happened to be seated at the same table. He was a very unpleasant man, but he still didn't deserve what happened to him. My friends and I got a front row seat. After he was shot, he...got back up. Just like what happened here."

Wester gives a start. “Well sure, he was shot but still alive. Please don’t kid around Miss.” He indicates the coffin with his hand. “Freddy was my brother-in-law.”

"I'm sorry for your loss," says Alice. "I didn't know."

Wester

“That’s okay Miss. But I’m sure there must be a logical reason for what just happened, like the Doc and your other friend said”.

Balzac hesitates. "Monsieur, may I ask, who is your trumpet man? The lead trumpet player."

“That’d be Leroy Turner. Hell of a player, ain’t he?” Wester turns his head. “Hey Leroy, where you at?”

The other band members look around too, but it seems that the trumpet man is gone.

“Hell, he must have sloped off” says the clarinet player.

“He always doing that” says another member. “Probably headed off to the speak.”

Balzac looks interested. "Is he playing somewhere tonight? I am a good trumpet fan."

Wester shakes his head. “Don’t think so. He was supposed to play with us, but the Blue Heaven gig is done for now. Leroy ain’t got too many friends in this town to be honest. We tolerate him because he’s like, an extra feature, you know? And a damn good one. But we already got all the parts covered. So if he don’t show, it don’t matter so much. But for bands who’re relying on him…” Wester shakes his head.

“Cat’s too damn irresponsible” says the clarinet player. “Either don’t show up, or shows up drunk. Folks ‘bout had their limit. Whenever he gets a gig, ‘bout a week later he goes on a bender and loses it.”

“Ain’t really his fault though” says Wester. “Lost his girl after he come up from New Orleans couple of years ago. Hit an’ run. Ain’t been right since.”

The band members fall silent. The group, who are accompanying the coffin, start to instinctively draw around it.

"The Blue Heaven was shut down after last night," says Alice. "If he didn't go there, to which speakeasy would he have gone?"

Wester moves his cornet to his other hand, and indicates the direction they have just come from.

“I think the only place would be open now is back there in Leonard Court. Its run by a fella called Barker. You can tell it by the blue door. Ain’t that ironic?”

He clears his throat. “You folks be the wrong colour though. It might cost you.”

Wester rubs his eyes. Anyone close can see that they have become wet. “Goddam” he says. “Sorry. I was just thinking about poor Freddy.”

His face seems to tighten. “We gonna be having some words with the hospital later. Look, it was nice chatting with you folks, but we need to attend to this.”

"All right, take care," says Alice. "We'll tell Leroy Turner where you've gone if we find him. Do we need a password to get into the speakeasy?"

“Just tell them that Mitch Wester told you about the place. They know me. And use my name to talk to Leroy. Although you’ll probably have to buy him a drink” he says, after a thought.

“Thanks again for your help”. He raises his hand in goodbye, and the group continue back to the funeral home, bearing the corpse of their friend and family member.

OOC:   I'll begin a new thread later for your meeting with Turner.