Play@YSDC

Tuesday September 10th, 1929

West College Street, Arkham

8am

Henry and Alice arrive in the neighbourhood of the Bosworth House bright and early on a pleasant September morning. The houses here are well-kept, mostly in the Federal style. It is not too up-market, but there are no signs of poverty: the street is clean and everything is in a state of good repair. It feels like a successful and prosperous area.

If they dare to take a look at the house itself, they find that there is a large garden with many trees and bushes which obscure it from the street. Neighbouring houses are visible, and there are a few people around, hurrying about their daily business; children and adults on their way to school or work, an elderly man working in his garden, and a woman nursing a baby on her porch can also be seen.

"Shall we start by asking at the neighbors' houses on either side?" asks Alice. "They'll probably have known them best."

Henry Glynn

"Sure - then let's ask some kids about the "spooky house" - kids know the best stories."

Our pair select the nearest neighbouring house, which has an attractive selection of roses in the front garden. They ring the doorbell.

OOC,Roll Luck. If the roll succeeds, someone will come to the door. First roll only.

Alice knocks on the door. Luckily, someone is home.

OOC,Luck roll (65% stat) to see if anyone is home: [dice]0[/dice]

After a moment a middle-aged, well-dressed woman comes to the door. She eyes the companions suspiciously.

”If you’re the press I’ve already talked to the Advertiser” she says.

OOC,You’ll need successful Persuade rolls to get people to talk.

"No, not at all," says Alice. "I'm Alice Stanton. I'm a secretary at the University. I worked with Margaret."

OOC,Persuade roll (74% skill) to get the woman to talk: [dice]0[/dice]

"Oh" says the woman, but she clearly takes Alice at her word. "What can I help you with? I know Margaret of course, but I'm afraid we weren't very close. Such an awful tragedy".

"I know," says Alice. "I can scarcely believe it myself. It's so unlike her. Do you have any idea why she would have done such a thing?"

"I've heard talk that her house is haunted," says Alice. "Have you heard anything about that?"

"I see," says Alice. "Do you know how long the Hannigans have lived there, or who lived in the house before them?"

“We only moved in seven months ago I’m afraid” replies the woman.

"That's okay," says Alice. "Do you know if anyone else on this street has lived here a long time?"

She points to the man working in his garden. “Mr. Porter’s been here a while. He might talk to you, but don’t count on it”.

She bids the companions good day and closes the door.

"Thank you," says Alice, turning to Henry. "Shall we see if Mr. Porter will speak to us? I think I'm charming enough to get through to him."

The old man, Mr. Porter, is still working in his flowerbeds, pulling up weeds, as the companions approach. Intent on his work, he is oblivious to their approach. He is whistling and muttering to himself as he toils.

"Good morning, sir," says Alice with a wave and a smile. "Would you mind if we talked to you for a little?"

Henry Glynn

"Say, that's a fine looking garden you have there Mr."

The man looks up. His eyes narrow and he mutters something to himself. He returns to his work.

OOC,All conversations here will need Persuade rolls.

Alice gives Mr. Porter her best smile. "We won't take up much of your time," she says. "We just wanted to ask you a few questions."

OOC,Persuade roll (74% skill) to get [b]Mr. Porter[/b] to talk: [dice]0[/dice]

Mr. Porter looks up again.

"If you're reporters asking about the Hannigans, I have nothing to say" he says gruffly.

"We're not reporters," says Alice. "I'm Alice Stanton, a secretary at Miskatonic University. I worked with Margaret."

OOC,I think you mean the [b]Hannigans[/b].

OOC,I got my adventures mixed up!

"Did you now?" says Porter with more interest. "Sorry about that. It"s a tragic situation. I didn't know the family well, but Margaret always had a friendly word, I never thought that such a thing could happen". He shakes his head sadly.

"I know," says Alice, with more than a little sympathy. "I can scarcely believe it myself. It's just not like her. I've heard talk that her house is haunted or something. Maybe it had some kind of bad influence on her."

"There's always been stories about the house, as far as I can remember, and I've been here 'bout twenty-five years" says Mr. Porter. "Of course, no-one actually really sees anything. It's just neighbourhood gossip really."

"Who lived in the house before the Hannigans?" asks Alice.

Mr. Porter cocks his head as he thinks.

“The Hannigans moved in about three years ago, I think. Before them, it was another young couple, with children. They stayed about two years. Sorry, I don’t recall the name”.

He wipes his hands on his overalls.

"Did anything at all odd happen in the house while they were living there, or anyone who might have lived there before them while you lived in this neighborhood?" asks Alice.

Mr. Porter shakes his head. “Not to my knowledge young lady. This is the first terrible thing that I’ve heard of.” He shrugs his shoulders, and looks in the direction of the house. “It never stays occupied for too long. I guess most folks just can’t settle there.”

"There were that many people living here?" asks Alice. "Did you know any of them well, before they moved out?"

“Well, I think there were about five different families, all told. Like I said, none really settled. They just didn’t stay. I do remember some names; there was the Smiths, about seven years ago - they were a pleasant family, but honestly, I don’t know how that would have any relevance to the situation with the poor Hannigans. Like I said, nothing like that happened before.”

He stands up. “I should be going, I have a doctor’s appointment to get to. I’m sorry about your friend.” He looks crestfallen.

"Thank you," says Alice. "We'll leave you to it. I should be heading to work soon myself anyway. Good day, Mr. Porter."

Henry Glynn

Henry will offer a coin to the kid that can tell the best story about the house.

OOC,You'll still need a persuade roll.

A child of eleven or twelve years is walking by. Her head is down and she is wandering aimlessly down the street. The satchel slung over her shoulder gives an indication as to her destination, but she doesn't seem to be in any hurry.

The girl glances at Henry brandishing his coin, but is either unimpressed or has her mind on other things. She continues on her way.

"Wait!" calls Alice. "I know some scary stories of my own. If you tell us one of yours, I'll tell you one of mine."

OOC,Persuade roll (74% skill) to convince the girl to talk: [dice]0[/dice]

The girl turns around, her curiosity aroused.

“Why do you think I’m interested in scary stories?” she asks.

"Well, I was when I was your age," says Alice. "I still am, which is why I'd like to hear yours. Hi, my name is Alice."

"I'm Isabel" says the girl. "I don't know any scary stories though" she muses. "And anyway, I should be getting to school soon".

Henry Glynn

"I bet you know some stories about that old house!" says Henry, pointing.

The rooftop of the Bosworth House can be seen over the trees in its front garden.

”Oh sure!” says Isabel, her nose wrinkling in distaste. ”Everyone knows about that place. Did you hear about the murder?” she asks, eyes wide. ”Isn’t it awful?”

Henry Glynn

"Yes, terrible. Were there stories about that place before the murder? I bet there were - it looks pretty creepy. I'm Henry by the way. I write ghost stories."

“Really? You’ll like the Bosworth place then”. Her voice drops a notch, as if she is imparting some secret.

“My friend Danny used to deliver the paper round here a couple of years ago. He said that the house up and changed at night. The doors and windows were never quite in the same place, and the colour of the house seemed different. I never dared check myself.” She looks over her shoulder at the house.

"Do any of the stories you've heard involve someone living in the walls?" asks Alice.

Isabel's eyes open wide. "There are people in the walls? Gosh! I didn't hear about that!"

She stops suddenly, thinking. "You're not teasing me, are you?" she asks.

"It's just something I'd heard," says Alice. "Not people, just one woman, according to Margaret anyway. She had apparently said that there was a woman in the walls. Of course, she wasn't in her right mind at the time. The police went over the house with a fine-toothed comb and didn't find anyone in the walls."

Isabel looks impressed. "I can't wait to tell my friends about that!” she exclaims. “I really should get to school now though” she says sadly.

"I need to get to work as well," says Alice. "It was nice to meet you, Isabel. Maybe I'll see you around here some other time. And it might be a good idea to keep what I just told you to yourself. It can be our secret."

"Okay!" says Isabel happily, and then turns and dashes off up the street.

OOC,I will reunite you all later tonight so that you can discuss your findings.