Play@YSDC

Melody,The kitchens are spacious and overlook the gardens and the moors, although of course it is too dark to see anything now. There are doors which [b]Melody[/b] is told lead to the cellars where assorted foodstuffs and provisions are stored. She enjoys a simple yet satisfying meal in the kitchens, surrounded by some of the staff, who are curious about her and ask her several questions as to her background and present employment. All are friendly and pleasant enough, although [b]Melody[/b] might detect some tension around interactions with [b]Mrs. Beddowes[/b], the housekeeper. [b]McKenzie[/b] is also present, as is a weather-beaten, grizzled man introduced as [b]Gerald Smith[/b], the gardener. [b]Howard[/b] is upstairs, waiting on the company.

Everyone else,Once everyone is seated, the meal begins. A few servants are in attendance and the guests are served a delicious and filling meal of soup, quail and roast beef, accompanied by red wine (if any of the companions are partial to that beverage).

Melody,While she enjoys her meal [b]Melody[/b] happily talks about her background, answering all the questions with completely truthful answers. She explains that Dr. Campbell is a scientist and that she really enjoys working as his housekeeper and assistant, although she has only the most rudimentary understanding of his scientific research. She hopes that the servants will reply with details of their own backgrounds, but doesn't press. When she has spoken about [b]Alexander's [/b]science she says, [color=#FF0040]"It's because he is a man of science that Dr. Campbell is in the society, to prove that there ain't no such thing as ghosts. That would be why he brings me along as well, to show me how my head is full of superstitious nonsense. "But [b]Miss Beauchant[/b], she can talk with ghosts for real, science or no science."[/color] By talking honestly about her own and Alexander's differing views on the existence of ghosts, she hopes to hear what the servants have to share their own views about the curse and[b] Lady Allingham's [/b]beliefs. [b]Melody[/b] can't hide her own enthusiasm when she talks about [b]Isolde[/b], she is genuinely amazed and a little scared of the powers that the spiritualist claims to possess, claims that [b]Melody[/b] herslf completely believes.

Melody,[color=#0000FF]“Yon Doctor should hae more o’ an open mind”[/color] says [b]McKenzie [/b]sagely.[color=#0000FF] “Thars things that man cannae possibly unnerstan’”.[/color] [b]Smith[/b] nods his grizzled head in agreement. [color=#408000]“You say she can talk ta ghosts?”[/color] he asks, in his thick Devon accent.

Everyone else,[b]Josephine[/b] nods at [b]Percy[/b], casting a fond glance at her charge. [color=#0040FF]“She does very well”[/color] she replies. [b]Lady Amanda[/b] addresses [b]Fitzwilliam[/b] first. [color=#FF4000]“We grow and raise some of what we need. Some of it is procured locally.”[/color] He mouth turns down as she says this. She turns to [b]Isolde[/b]. [color=#FF4000]“This is the ancestral home of the [b]Allingham[/b] family. They go back generations, at least to the 13th century”.[/color] [b]Ursula [/b]raises her head at [b]Alexander’s[/b] question, smiles shyly, and goes back to her food.[color=#0000FF] “I’m afraid we don’t really have the opportunity to explore sciences here, [b]Doctor[/b]”[/color] says [b]Josephine[/b] apologetically.

Melody,[color=#FF0040]"Oh yes,"[/color] replies [b]Melody[/b], [color=#FF0040]"[b]Miss Beauchant[/b] is becoming very famous in London, I'm sure she is the reason that our society has been hired, I'm sure she will soon be able to contact thr ghost."[/color]

Melody,[color=#FF0040]"Well, ghost or not, there's definitely something strange going on around here"[/color] says another servant, a young woman.

Melody,[quote="a young servant"][color=#FF0040]"Well, ghost or not, there's definitely something strange going on around here"[/color][/quote] [color=#FF0040]"Have you seen the ghost?"[/color], asks [b]Melody[/b], wide eyed.

Melody,[color=#FF0040]“Well, that’s the strange thing”[/color] says the young woman. [color=#FF0040]“Nobody’s seen anything, but something is going on. The furniture moving, windows open… I think it’s one of these idiots playing tricks!”[/color] She laughs, regarding the other servants around her, some of whom laugh too. Just then [b]Mrs. Beddowes[/b] returns, and the room falls silent. She glares around the room, obviously suspicious of something. At this point, some of servants begin to start clearing away their dishes.