Play@YSDC

Deciding that investigation is necessary you decide to mak an inventory of what and where to begin investigating. Investigators researching the history of Kirby Hospital have their choice of local libraries and historical societies to consult.

Nearby is the Houston Public Library (the town’s public library), the Rice Library at the University nearby, the Houston Historical Society, and the records at Houston City Hall.

There are also the archive-morgues of the Houston Post and the Houston Chronicle, the local newspaper outlets.

Seeing as Coach has decided to look into Andrew McBride, he starts off by making enquiries at the offices of the Houston Post, followed by a visit to the Chronicle.

Umbral,If it's OK I'll make a library use roll for each office. If I fail, I'll make an intimidate roll in an attempt to get someone to look McBride up for me. If any of this is an issue I'm happy to edit my post :)

Library Use 20% Houston Post FAIL,[dice]0[/dice]

Intimidate 60% Houston Post PASS,[dice]2[/dice]

Library Use 20% Houston Chronicle HARD PASS,[dice]1[/dice]

Being not exactly an academic type, he has no luck at the Post, and has to growl at a junior staffer to show him the information. Thankfully he watches how the staffer goes about his job and is able to make a decent job of researching at the Chronicle afterwards.

jp1885 wrote:

Seeing as Coach has decided to look into Andrew McBride, he starts off by making enquiries at the offices of the Houston Post, followed by a visit to the Chronicle.

Umbral,If it's OK I'll make a library use roll for each office. If I fail, I'll make an intimidate roll in an attempt to get someone to look McBride up for me. If any of this is an issue I'm happy to edit my post :)

Library Use 20% Houston Post FAIL,[dice]220973:0[/dice]

Intimidate 60% Houston Post PASS,[dice]220973:2[/dice]

Library Use 20% Houston Chronicle HARD PASS,[dice]220973:1[/dice]

Being not exactly an academic type, he has no luck at the Post, and has to growl at a junior staffer to show him the information. Thankfully he watches how the staffer goes about his job and is able to make a decent job of researching at the Chronicle afterwards.

Your search for information on McBride proves unfruitful and no information is found at either Newspaper.

If time allows, Coach will also search for references of the hospital and Dr. Berger.

Carl checks the records at City Hall to find out what he can about how Andrew MacBride ended up committed to Kirby, and anything else he can find out about him. Then he checks for information about Dr. Berger.

OOC,Library Use roll (20% base skill) researching [b]Andrew MacBride[/b]: [dice]0[/dice] Library Use roll (20% base skill) researching [b]Dr. Berger[/b]: [dice]1[/dice]

Joseph tries the public library, but cannot find anything about Andrew McBride.

Library Use,Library Use 31: [url=http://orokos.com/roll/722231]Library Use[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]57[/b]

Jimmy spent the downtime looking into Doctor Berger at the county clerk's office. When the clerk seemed less than enthusiastic about showing Jimmy the official government records kept on the doctor, he seized the other individual's wrist, slipped a five dollar bill into their hand and repeated his request.

He then added, "No one will know we spoke."

OOC:   See the OOC thread for the dice rolls

Joseph tries looking for information on Dr. Berger, but again comes up short.

Library Use,Library Use 31: [url=http://orokos.com/roll/723391]Library Use[/url]: [u]1d100[/u] [b]46[/b]

(Going to skip to the initial findings of your legwork due to the long interval of inactivity)

Upon careful research (4 hours of research time) you find the following:

Prior to becoming superintendent at Kirby State Lunatic
Asylum, Dr. Berger had a successful tenure at the State
Lunatic Asylum in Austin, Texas. There he was known as a
genial and thoroughly professional practitioner.
• Dr. Berger’s professional record is impeccable, although his
contributions to professional journals and attendance at
professional conferences has slackened-off in recent years.
Colleagues assume that he is overburdened with his work
at the overcrowded Kirby facility.
• Dr. Berger has presided over Kirby Asylum for
approximately ten years. In recent years, Berger has let
professional contacts slip and has apparently discouraged
contact from perplexed colleagues.
• Dr. Berger is unmarried and does not have any immediate
family in the area. He has living quarters at the asylum
provided for his personal use.

You have also encounter information that you felt would be helpful about the Asylum's History:

Researching the Kirby State Lunatic Asylum itself
discloses basic facts of its existence: erected in 1876 at a
staggering cost of 1.5 million dollars; grounds encompass
nearly 200 acres; patient counts (approximately 2,775
in 1925), staff listings, financial reports, other normal
bureaucratic details.

• The land occupied by the asylum complex was once the
homestead of Judge John Hathorne, lead magistrate of the
San Marcos Satanic Coven Trials, and the man personally responsible for
sending approximately two dozen “satanists” to their trial,
imprisonment, and death. Although a few later were found to be
innocent, Hathorne was the only executor
never to repent for his actions.

• Newspaper articles report that the asylum is overcrowded
and is a residence of last resort for many unstable, indigent
citizens of Texas.

• A dark reputation cloaked the asylum soon after its
construction, with a high number of accidents and patient
fatalities. No official, conclusive investigation is on record
related to these troubled early years.

• Warren A. Herrick, M.D., original superintendent at
Kirby, died on the job after falling down a flight of
asylum stairs in 1890. Dr. William Shine was appointed
new superintendent that same year. Soon after Shine’s
appointment, asylum mishaps and fatalities drop
dramatically.

And this Article:

Kirby Asylum Superintendent Builds Amphitheatre for Patients

Workmen at Kirby State Lunatic Asylum broke ground today for the establishment
of a small amphitheatre to be enjoyed by the patients. Residents will enjoy quiet
conversation space, poetry readings, and musical performances in an idyllic outdoor
setting next to the Asylum's Reservoir. "A beautiful place where water and earth meet,"
says superintendent Dr. James Berger.

Asylum resident and chief laborer, Andrew McBride, added that his team had some difficulty
breaking up and removing a large granite disk bearing an artistic design, set into the hillside
where the amphitheatre is to be built. The Asylum's prior superintendent, Dr. William Shine,
a world traveler, had the disk placed on the side of Hawthorne hill. Dr. Shine is said to have
believed that the granite disk was a symbol of good luck for the Asylum.

Local residents question the expense of building an amphitheatre for mentally ill patients.
However, Dr. Berger defends the creation of the amphitheatre stating, "It is important to
remember that we must look to the betterment of all our citizens, especially those deemed
too delicate or damaged to be a part of the ebb and flow of the greater world."

(pick a meeting place - a restuarant, the hotel warwick, etc. - where you all come together on this information)

You meet at the Warwick hotel, lucky for you "The Chin" has a little inside connection and you get a nice table midway from the stage, next to the open dance floor. The restaurant is somewhat crowded due to it being T-Bone Steak Night and the singer is Bessie Smith.

https://youtu.be/4gXShOJVwaM

(Image below shows where the Casino was)

"I love a good T-Bone steak," says Carl, his mouth already watering. He shares what his group has learned so far.

"Andrew McBride" says Joseph. "We need to speak with him. He must know something."

"I agree," says Carl. "When I talk to the judge, I'll see if I can get access to him."

Jimmy deftly sliced meat from the bone as the others discussed the matter involving the sanitarium. His own investigations into the director of the facility turned up little of use, but it seemed the others were more successful in their own endeavors. He signaled to one of the staff to approach the table then turned his attention onto the ranger.

"If the judge denies your request, just let me know. I can lean on 'im for ya'." he said assuredly.

A server approaches the table, not the same person as before. He smiles, asks if there is anything he can get for you? And how's the streak? (Tender and savory cooked to perfection.)

"Thank you, I don't need anything more at the moment," says Carl. "The steak is excellent. My compliments to the chef."

The server changes out Jimmy's water glass,and leaves. Jimmy discovers a small, folded strip of paper under his napkin...

The Chin

Jimmy the Chin casually slid his water glass closer with his left hand and surreptitiously snagged the small scrap of folded paper with its opposite. He took a moment to ensure that no one in the room was paying too much attention to him, then gave the paper a glance.

In an unfamiliar scrawl, the note reads:
Roulet Table #3
signed: Betty
Kiss marks from her lipstick on the bottom of the note.

Bessie Smith sings this next song.

https://youtu.be/-cm5Adn9YCs

The gangster scrutinized the rather curious note for several moments, then tucked it into his suit lapel pocket. He wiped the napkin across his lips and casually arose from his seat. The handwriting was unfamiliar to Jimmy, and he was unable to recall any dames who went by the name of Betty. There was only one way to find out what the story was here. Roulette table three awaited. Maybe he'd get lucky.

"I'm gonna hit the tables, gents. Who else is with me?" he announced.

"I don't make enough to risk losing it at the tables," says Carl, "but I'll come along and watch."

The Roulet table is just warming up. A young blonde sits at the 3rd 12 section of the table. She has a pile of chips in front of her and a smoldering cigarette on the end of a long black cigarette holder in her left hand compliments the Black Russian in her other hand. Smoke gives the air a misty look while liquors and beer waft across as the servers whisk by.

She puts $200 on black and $100 on 17, $50 on the outside. Others follow her lead.

After the dealer runs the Croupier's rake across the board making sure all bets are in the right spot, he yells, "Rien ne va plus!" and spins the little wheel...and releasing the ball.

A few times around, a few bounces and the ball falls on 17 black!

The crowd cheers, the blonde smiles. "Betsy is zee lucky star!" shouts the dealer as he rakes her winnings over to her. "That's it for tonight Pier," she says. The crowd at the table is clearly disappointed as she hands over her winnings to a runner...

Next song on the playlist:

https://youtu.be/m6WC-XesIJ0

OOC:   Holiday wifi is working, yay!

Coach sits back, enjoying the food and the music. He declines to visit the casino, having sworn to give up gambling years ago. Instead he orders another drink and keeps a discreet eye out for anything unusual.

jp1885 wrote:

OOC:   Holiday wifi is working, yay!

Coach sits back, enjoying the food and the music. He declines to visit the casino, having sworn to give up gambling years ago. Instead he orders another drink and keeps a discreet eye out for anything unusual.

OOC: Here's an opportunity to rp your character's willpower against the old addiction of gambling. I leave it up to you. A simple Willpower roll to test your resolve or not...

POW 70%,[dice]0[/dice]

(OOC I'll be able to write properly when I get back from vacation )

Have fun!

"Congratulations, Betty," says Carl with a smile. "You are one lucky lady." He suspects, however, that luck has nothing to do with it.

"Well thank you sir," she says to Carl. "A Texas Ranger? Are you here to arrest someone? I admit, the prospect of violence excites me to no end, although I can't figure out why." She smiles and notices The Chin. "Excuse me Sheriff, but I have something to discuss with my friend, if you don't mind," she says as she makes her way through the crowd, arm wrapped around Chin's...

Despite the music and fine ambience, Coach had been silent throughout most of the meal. Ignoring the disapproving looks from the snootier waiters, he sat chewing his steak with his baseball cap wedged firmly onto his head whilst deep in thought.

His ham-fisted research had dredged up nothing they didn't already know and they were still no closer to springing their pal. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone was throwing them one helluva curve ball and all he could do was swing wildly. It was time to stop and watch where the next ball was coming from.

Seeing as the current focus seemed to be on McBride, he cast his mind back to the story about the lake and the strange stone slab. McBride didn't work on them on his own. Surely not all of his contractors ended up in the loony bin?

As he makes a mental note to ask around the local building companies, he is startled out of his thoughts by the mention of the casino.

His clenches his fists, knuckles whitening. Breathing deeply, he forces himself to remain seated as the others head over to the tables. He's already ruined one career thanks to the click-clack of the wheels and the thrill of the win; he isn't about to ruin another one.

Instead he orders another drink, fighting the urge to knock it back and keep 'em coming - he needs to stay in control while his compadres play the odds. Sipping almost demurely, he positions himself so that he can watch the others and the suspiciously classy dame they are talking to, as well as the wider room, to see who else is watching.

Spot Hidden if I may? 62% PASS,[dice]0[/dice]

Excellent RP!
Coach spots the signs, a nod from one palooka in a suit, a swipe of the forehead from a second, and a wiping of the sleeve from a third as they make eye contact with each other. They focus on the blonde and The Chin.

From the corner of his eye, Jimmy the Chin glanced down at the arm which had been seized by his young acquaintance. The gangster then diverted his gaze towards the lawman and gave him a wry smile. His message was clear, even though he did not lend his voice to it. 'Tough luck, Ranger.' He once again shifted his glance, this time towards the woman and met her eyes with his own.

"You must be Betty. What's shakin', doll?." he said.

OOC:   Edit: Found out the Chin isn't familiar with Betty. Modified post to account for that.

Uh-huh, Coach thinks to himself, someone's pulling a scam here...

Noting the positioning of the three goons, he strolls over to Carl, as if joining him to watch one of the games. He leans in to whisper, pointing to the table as if discussing the best betting strategy.

"See those mooks watching dollface and our pal?"

He describes where they're stationed, trusting that the ranger is experienced enough not to make it obvious that they've spotted the goons.

"I've seen more subtle signalling at the plate in a little league practice session..."

Carl nods. "I see 'em," he says. "If they make a move, we'll need to make one of our own. I'm thinking more football than baseball, but sports is sports."

Coach nods.

"Been a while since I was in a rumble, but I should be good for it."

Betty says, "You must be Jimmy. I've heard a little bit about you from some friends in Chicago. Glad to make your acquaintance. Seems I put you at a disadvantage since I know you, but you don't know me. I run the "Chicken Ranch." It's about a 30 minute drive North from here. We provide quality escort services to men of "high standards". By the by, I also run the backside of things here, like the Casino and provide our "special " customers with hard to find items. Your friends on the outside got in touch with me saying you made a little visit to the doctor and you might be able to fill a few prescriptions for me. Can we talk later," she winks at Jimmy and gestures subtly to look around. He can see three "enforcer" types moving in as Betty disappears through the crowd. Coach and Carl are not far behind.

As it's too noisy to eavesdrop on the conversation, all Coach can ascertain is the three goons converging on the Chin as the dame sashays away.

He nudges Carl.

"This looks like it Ranger..."

Carl nods again. "We'll each pick one and come up behind him," he whispers to Coach. "Jimmy should be able to handle the third one himself. Hopefully we can scare them off without even having to fight." He chooses one of the three goons whose back is to him and approaches stealthily, ready to strike if necessary.

OOC,Stealth roll (20% base skill) to sneak up behind the goon: [dice]0[/dice] Intimidate roll (55% skill) to frighten the goons: [dice]1[/dice]

Zero wrote:

OOC:   Can I make a Luck roll to see if Jimmy's own "protection" are paying attention? They're around the casino floor somewhere. Not talking about the other investigators btw.

Sure...let's see what the fates hold for Jimmy!

Coach knows he's too clumsy to sneak up on anyone, so unlike the ranger he goes for the direct approach. He approaches the nearest goon, putting on his best 'you better hit a home run or there'll be trouble' glower.

"Hey buddy, you wanna talk to my pal?"

He tilts his head towards Jimmy.

Intimidate 60% FAIL,[dice]0[/dice]

Unfortunately the goon obviously never played ball.

Joseph is behind the others, ready to see what happens.

Jimmy the Chin heard the Coach speak up on his behalf. He quickly realized that the others must be nearby. Emboldened by this realization, the gangster opened the left side of his jacket. A holstered Colt 45 revolver was revealed to the three goons.

"Get out of the way, boys. Betty and I have business to discuss." he demanded of the trio.

Intimidate (30%),[dice]0[/dice]

Luck (46),[dice]1[/dice]

OOC:   Well, the Luck roll failed so that means The Chin's own hired protection weren't paying attention. Probably too busy around the tables. However... The Intimidate roll was a success.

At first the thug faces coach. Though he is a large fellow, his suit is understated, yet elegant and impressive. Obviously expensive. He is about 5'10" thickly set. His neck is almost non-existent, his hands are like paws and large fingers remind you of thick sausages. He has a scar on the left side of his face that runs from the corner of his jaw almost to his chin. His hair is fiery red, cropped marine corps style, parted in the middle. His eyes, sparkle green with gold flecks, and his teeth seem perfect, maybe too perfect. He speaks to Coach through his gritted teeth, "You'd like ta join the conversation praps?" Until he sees Jimmy flash his iron. His accent is unmistakably Irish.
"Pardon me boys," he signals with a nod to his other two compatriots, "Seems I've mistaken yer friend for someone else."

Coach tries not to show his relief as the situation winds down. With his bluff being called, he really doesn't relish the prospect of tangling with the gorilla looming in front of him.

I'm guessing he didn't get those dentures from eating too much candy, he thinks to himself.

He smiles a tight smile and takes a step back.

"Just a misunderstanding all 'round yeah?"

As the other two men come to stand behind the man with the Red hair, he lights a cigarette from inside his jacket, and blows the smoke at Coach.
He pats him on the shoulder, his hand is heavy, and says, "Aye, you might say that. Next time maybe you and I can have a spot." At this the man leans into Coach's face, the smell of cigarettes and liquor permeate his breath. Then, of a sudden, he pulls back laughing loudly, "Hey folks, this here is Jimmy Muldoon! He used to play with the Red Socks!"
He joins the crowd in clapping for Coach. Then he winks and walks off with his men in tow...

"Well, that could have gone worse," says Carl. "Still, we'll have to watch our backs. I don't think this is the last we'll see of those guys."

Coach groans inwardly at the applause - he hates being recognised. It always starts with adulation, until someone remembers why he retired from the sport. Then the mutterings start... 'gambling', 'scandal', 'has been...'

He acknowledges the crowd with a tip of his cap, cursing the large Irishman under his breath as he does so.

Big jerk, he thinks to himself. Still, that'll teach me to go around acting the tough guy....

"Yeah, I don't think they're finished with us just yet," he replies to Carl, before turning to Jimmy.

"You good? Let's not forget what we've come here for, huh?"

Had his threat not been taken seriously, Jimmy the Chin would have been perfectly happy mixing it up with the goons, especially that dumb gorilla-like Paddy. It had been quite awhile since he had personally been involved in a scrap. His men usually took care of such things. With that thought, the gangster casually glanced about the place for his own hired muscle. He spotted Marco and Umberto near one of the craps tables. He caught the latter's eye and gestured for the two men to approach. Clearly those two hadn't been doing their jobs and there would be hell to pay later for their ineptitude. He then turned his attention onto the others.

"I ain't finished with that broad, but that business can wait. This party's suddenly a drag. Let's blouse, gents.". he said.

Spot Hidden (56%),[dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   Not expecting a check for that skill use, just wanted to use it from an rp-standpoint.

Carl nods and follows him.

"Yeah, let's get outta here."

With one last baleful glare at the big goon, Coach follows the others.

Joseph relaxes. He's glad to be shot of the noisy club and it's unpleasant denizens. Still, it might make a good story though.

Once free from the allure of the casino, Coach breathes a little easier. When he's sure no-one is listening, he turns to the others.

"Y'know, something tells me we won't be getting Larry out of that place anytime soon by applying to the courts. Now Larry knows something's up, and he did give us one lead - McBride."

"We know he did some building work at that damn place, but he wouldn't have taken a jackhammer to that joint on his own. I'm gonna go ask around the local builders and contractors - see what they know about the guy. Anyone wanna tag along?"

"It might not work," says Carl. "Corruption does exist, even in the courts, but it's worth a try. I'd like to get McBride out of there too."

"I want to find out what I can about the last administrator" says Joseph.