Chapter 6: Who is Claude Owen?

[HoneyDog]

"Good luck!" comes the reply. "I hope you find him."

OOC,Are you thinking of inspecting his dorm now?

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you," says Alice.

OOC,Yes, let's do that next.

[HoneyDog]

Owen's room is listed at the West Dormitory. The companions make their way there and find the resident assistant loitering behind a desk at the front doors, munching a sandwich. This reminds our heroes that lunchtime is soon upon them.

[Mr. Handy]

"Pardon me," says Alice to the resident assistant. "Can you please tell me which room is Claude Owen's?"

[HoneyDog]

”Yes” mumbles the student, through a mouthful of sandwich. ”It’s room 6, here on the first floor. He’s not there though, thank god.”

[Mr. Handy]

"What sort of trouble has he been causing?" asks Alice.

[HoneyDog]

The student finishes his sandwich with a gulp. “He’s impossible to live with. His last two roomies couldn’t stand it and moved out. We can’t find anyone to share with him. He seems to relish driving people away.”

The student shakes his head in exasperation.

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm sorry to hear that," says Alice, "but not surprised. I'm Alice Stanton, and we're looking into Claude Owen on behalf of the University. Can we please look around in his room?"

[HoneyDog]

“Golly!” exclaims the student. “Well, I don’t have a key to let you in, I’m afraid.”

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael

"What were the complaints against Claude?" Isadora inquires.

Then when she learns about the absence of the key, she asks:

"Is there a master key of sorts? But perhaps you'd like to finish your sandwich first - we can go and check on the room, and if it is indeed closed, we can come back and look for the key, or talk to the superintendent of the dormitory?"

[HoneyDog]

”Well, he’s arrogant and tactless, for a start. Thinks he’s some kind of genius. There’s sometimes the smell of chemicals from his room. I hear complaints about that but he always denies anything.”

He pauses. ”I guess you could get the janitor to open the door. But you’d need permission .”

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael

"Thank you! What's the name of the janitor? And where can we find him?"

[HoneyDog]

OOC,I don't think we need to roleplay finding the janitor. As you're on official university business, let’s assume that after a phone call Bricknell allows the entry of Owen’s room owing to the fact he is missing.

The janitor appears to be at lunch but this at least gives the investigators a chance to update Dr. Bricknell and grab a bite. The genial old janitor makes short work of the large, clumsy lock on the door to Owen’s room, and the companions make their entrance. The time is around 1pm.

Although the window is open, the room reeks of a chemical smell. There is a small, locked cupboard, from which the smell emanates. But what is most noticeable are the piles of papers and books scattered around the room. They lay in heaps across the floor, the bed and on both desks, and the bureau. There is a wardrobe against the wall. In the corner is a covered, box-like shape. The walls are undecorated, and apart from the papers, Owen doesn't seem to have accumulated much else in terms of belongings - at least what is visible.

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora covers her mouth and nose with her scarf.

The obscured box-shaped object draws her attention, and she steps forward and uncovers it.

[HoneyDog]

As Isadora pulls off the cover, she is greeted by a horrific and piteous sight. The box is a cage, and inside, pinned to a dissection board, is a partly vivisected dog. Incredibly, its organs pulse and limbs twitch, and its heart still beats, which can be clearly seen as there are no skin or ribs to block the sight.

OOC,All roll SAN. If you fail, roll 1d2 for loss.

[Mr. Handy]

Alice manages to keep from going to pieces. "Oh, the poor thing!" she cries. "Should we...put it out of its misery?"

OOC,Sanity roll (current level 67) for seeing the dog: [dice]0[/dice]

[Starspawn338]

Sanity check,Current Sanity 80 [dice]0[/dice]

Harrison is revolted by what he sees but manages to keep from vomiting. With a hand over his mouth, he nods in agreement. "We must put an end to it immediately."

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael

Sanity check,[b]SAN 65[/b] [dice]0[/dice] [b]SAN loss[/b] [dice]1[/dice]

Isadora screams and stumbles back, shocked by this cruel scene. "It's alive! It's alive!" she whispers.

[innsmouth]

Henry Glynn

Spoiler:

Henry SAN 69 [dice]0[/dice]

"I really don't think it can be saved dear."

[Mr. Handy]

Alice nods, blinking back tears. "Yes, it's the only thing we can do," she says, "but I don't think I could do it myself."