3 Genius Loci: Research and Rumination

[Umbral Dragon]

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.

[jp1885]

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.

[Umbral Dragon]

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.

[jp1885]

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

[Mr. Handy]

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]

[HoneyDog]

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]

[Zero]

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

[HoneyDog]

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]

[Umbral Dragon]

(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.

[Umbral Dragon]

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)

[Umbral Dragon]

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)

[Mr. Handy]

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

[HoneyDog]

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

[Mr. Handy]

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

[Zero]

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.

[Umbral Dragon]

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.)

[Mr. Handy]

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

[Umbral Dragon]

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

[Zero]

OOC:   Is that Jimmy the Chin, or Jimmy Muldoon?

[Umbral Dragon]

The Chin