Chapter 1d: Balzac, Harrison, Alice & Isadora

[HoneyDog]

As he sits in the waiting room, Harrison sees a rather curious figure approach a nurse outside. He wears a green coat and sports a bowler hat. As the door is open, he hears the figure enquire about the location of Vittoria Nangelo.

Harrison,Roll Know about this man.

Balzac,What will you tell the nurse?

[Starspawn338]

Knowledge roll,Knowledge 85 [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

Harrison,[b] Harrison[/b] recognizes the man from around the campus – he is [b]Dr. Henri Balzac,[/b] one of the lecturers from the School of Medicine.

[andyw666]

Balzac politely raises his hat to the nurse. "Bonjour Mlle, I am Dr Balzac from the Miskatonic Medical School. I was hoping for just a minute with the young lady, Vittoria, to pass on the University's best wishes, and perhaps to see if there is any medical insight I can provide into her condition."

"I have just been meeting with Dr Lodge, who has described her condition to me. Most tragic."

[HoneyDog]

“Oh!” says the nurse. “Yes, Dr. Balzac. You can see her, but she hasn’t been responsive. Please try not to disturb her if you can”.

[andyw666]

Balzac nods in solemn agreement. "Of course Mlle, I shall be most discreet." He heads into Vittoria's room.

[Starspawn338]

Harrison heads over to Vittoria's room to intercept Dr. Balzac. "Dr. Balzac... Dr. Balzac. I'm a friend of Vittoria and Frank. Are you treating her?" He pauses before he continues, "I just can't believe the rumors about what happened."

[andyw666]

Balzac pauses to talk to Harrison. "Oui Monsieur, I was planning on visiting the young lady but I am not her treating physician. May I ask your name?"

"And may I ask how well you know the young lady and the late M. Frank Charleton? Do you have any idea what happened to them both? Any information may assist treating this poor girl, you know."

[Starspawn338]

"Oui Monsieur, I was planning on visiting the young lady but I am not her treating physician. May I ask your name?"

"And may I ask how well you know the young lady and the late M. Frank Charleton? Do you have any idea what happened to them both? Any information may assist treating this poor girl, you know."

"My name is Harrison Matthews. As I said, I am friends with Vittoria and Frank, although not a close friend. I certainly understand that any information would be welcome but I must admit that I am in the dark about what could have caused this. I was just visiting Vittoria and she was completely unresponsive. You can see for yourself."

Harrison shakes his head slowly. "I just want to help in any way I can. I was going to go to the the Desolate Highway Cafe when it opens a bit later this afternoon as I know that they and their friends hang out there. Would you like to accompany me? Perhaps between the two of us, we could find someone with information willing to talk."

[HoneyDog]

At that moment, Alice and Isadora enter the scene, looking for Vittoria Nangelo’s room.

[Mr. Handy]

"Dr. Balzac!" says Alice, brightening when she sees him. "Fancy meeting you here."

[andyw666]

Balzac's face lights up with genuine pleasure. "Quelle surprise! Mes amis, it is the great pleasure to see you both!" He envelopes both Alice and Isadora in a bear hug and there is kissing of about four cheeks.

"And how is M. Henri, well I trust?"

"But are you here for the same reason as me, this tragedy of the young man dead and the young lady here, Vittoria? Mlle Alice, I actually just left a message for you to call me regarding this. I was about to pay a visit on the young lady when this young man approached me, who apparently knew them both. This is M. Harrison Matthews."

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael

"Dr. Balzac!" Isadora returns Balzac's hearty welcome, then launches into a lengthy French greeting. She then quickly switches back to English.

"Hello, Mr. Harrison. It's a pity to meet under such circumstances... But perhaps we can work together to shed some light on this terrible event. Is Vittoria available for visits? Alice and I would like to check in on her."

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, we're investigating the tragedy too, on behalf of the University," says Alice. "It would be good to work with you again, and your medical expertise may prove very useful. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Matthews."

[Starspawn338]

Harrison bows slightly to the two women. "I am likewise pleased to meet you both. Doctor's orders are that Vittoria is not to be disturbed but the kind nurse did let me go see her briefly. She was not responsive to any thing I said or did in the room." He pauses a moment, pondering what to say. "As I was telling Dr. Balzac, they and their friends hang out at the Desolate Highway Cafe and I was going to stop by there after it opens at 4:30 to see if I could find out any information from their other friends about what they might have been doing yesterday."

[Mr. Handy]

"Maybe Vittoria will be more responsive to women," says Alice. "It's worth a try, if they'll allow it. We can also try to find out about the results of Charlton's autopsy, presuming it was conducted here."

[andyw666]

Balzac looks impressed. "Why am I not surprised to find you both already investigating this matter."

"As you know, I am always on the lookout for these events that may provide insight into this hidden world we keep catching glimpses of. Although, I have not decided if this current tragedy is such a case. It is certainly unusual."

"And, Mlle Alice, I can tell you all about the autopsy report. I have just come from speaking with Dr Lodge, the coroner. But we might discuss that elsewhere."

"Shall we pay a quick visit on this young lady now?"

[HoneyDog]

The companions enter Vittoria’s darkened room. As on Harrison’s earlier visit, Vittoria lays on the bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling. She doesn’t seem to have moved and doesn’t appear to have registered their entry.

[Mr. Handy]

Alice walks up to the bed and takes hold of Vittoria's hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Vittoria, my name is Alice Stanton," she says. "I'd like to talk to you, please."

[HoneyDog]

Vittoria makes absolutely no reaction. She continues to stare at the ceiling.