Chapter 7: Dr. Dwight

[Mr. Handy]

"We're Margaret's friends," says Alice. "We only want what's best for her, to help her if we can."

OOC,Persuade roll (74% skill) to convince [b]Dr. Dwight[/b] to talk further: [dice]0[/dice]

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael

Isadora tries from a different angle: she noticed Dwight's emotional reaction to the misconduct of Dr. Hannigan.

"And if we help her, then perhaps we can help others too, who are in a similar situation..."

OOC,[b]Persuade 15%[/b] [dice]0[/dice]

[Starspawn338]

“There are several doctors treating Margaret, but Dr. Hardstrom is senior. But as I said, you will not be allowed to see Margaret now, so please don’t try. Wait until the doctors allow it, although it may be some time.”

"Oh, I didn't mean that we would try to see her anyway. I just wanted to make sure she's getting the best treatment after her husband's ill advised choices, may God rest his soul." Harrison continues. "But I don't see how trying to enlighten us about her delusions would be detrimental to her in any way.

OOC,Persuade 35 [dice]0[/dice]

[innsmouth]

Henry Glynn

"It might help you understand things a bit more if you go over it with us."

Spoiler:

Henry Persuade 25 [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

Henry’s impassioned plea seems to strike a chord with the doctor, and reluctantly, he begins to talk.

“You’re right. I need to get this out. I’ve felt so angry, these last few days. I hope you can understand my reticence…”

“Margaret… you have to understand that Margaret is…”

He grimaces.

“Was… a very sweet and talented girl. I have known her for a long time. She has always been troubled, even since her childhood, and she has suffered a tendency toward delusion. I became aware of this really very early on. But she trusted me and shared some of her stranger notions. For my part, I encouraged her to find healthy outlets for her… how can I say… overabundance of imagination.”

He opens his cigarette case and lights up a cigarette, drawing heavily.

“You must excuse me, but recent events have drawn me back to this poisonous weed.”

He flicks the ash into an adjacent cup and continues on.

“We were able to find a way to help her distinguish between her fantasies and reality. It was a rocky road, and, while she never became violent, we worried about her a great deal. But in the end, whatever it was, I truly believe she conquered it. Her writing was a major part of her technique for managing her emotions.”

He stubs out the cigarette.

“But Tabitha’s birth was difficult emotionally, and then that idiot husband insisted in shutting her away alone, banning her from writing, all for her own ‘good’”.

This last part he spits out bitterly.

“The results of this are plain to see.”

[Mr. Handy]

"Have you read her writing, Doctor?" asks Alice. "If you have, what did you think of it?"

[HoneyDog]

“Well, in fact Margaret has been writing since she was young. I was one of the first to see her talent for it, and I always encouraged her to pursue it, even perhaps as an occupation. I’m certain that had she been afforded the opportunity she would have been successful in that regard. Due to her health she decided not to attend university, which is a shame as we all recognized her keen mind. I always thought that writing proved a great stimulus for her, and could increase her social contacts.”

[evil_scientist]

isadora Carmichael

"The things she did write, other than her diary - do you think these works survive?" Isadora wonders.

[HoneyDog]

“Why, of course” says the Doctor. “She wrote a great deal. She even published in some amateur press journals, and she circulated many poems and stories among relatives and friends. Everyone always remarked on her imagination, even though it was often tinged with melancholy. Some even compared her to ah… who was it… yes, Algernon Blackwood, and that strange fellow from Providence; I forget his name.”

[innsmouth]

Henry Glynn

"I'm surprised I haven't read her work already Doctor. I do a bit of scribbling myself. Perhaps you've read The Music of Dr Cazlab?"

[HoneyDog]

Dwight regards Henry blankly.

"I"m afraid I haven't had the pleasure" he eventually says.

[Mr. Handy]

"I never knew she was published," says Alice. "I'll have to read her writing. Do you know for which journals she wrote? Maybe Beth has some too."

[evil_scientist]

Isadora Carmichael

"Yes, I recall now! She did mention stories and poems published in amateur press journals..."

Isadora tries to recall some of the titles. "United Amateur? National Amateur? The Amateur Vagrant?"

OOC,Is an Idea roll applicable here? If so: [b]Idea 70%[/b] [dice]0[/dice]

[HoneyDog]

“Yes, I think it had ‘amateur’ in the title” says Dwight, “But I honestly don’t know. Beth might, or at least she can ask Margaret’s parents.”

He leans back in his chair.

“Now, do you have any further inquiries? I’m afraid I really should be getting on with my records, or I’ll fall behind”.

[Mr. Handy]

"Of course, Doctor," says Alice. "Thank you for your time. You've been a great help. We'll see if Beth knows more."

[HoneyDog]

OOC,What would you like to do now?

[evil_scientist]

Isadora wants to visit the library. She wanted to look for books on the occult (Not information about the house, but rather similar occurrences. Hauntings, distortions of space, moving patterns...), and now also check out if there are any amateur press editions in the catalog.

[Mr. Handy]

OOC,I'd like to go talk to [b]Beth[/b]. We can let her know about the diary and find out if she has any of [b]Margaret[/b]'s writing.

[HoneyDog]

OOC,You'll need a successful Luck roll to see if Beth is available.

[Mr. Handy]

Alice tries to call Beth, but there is no answer. She accompanies Isadora to the library instead to help with her research.

OOC,Luck roll (65% stat) to see if [b]Beth[/b] is available: [dice]0[/dice]