Play@YSDC

Posted: **Tue Dec 22, 2020 2:36 am**

Tuesday 1st November, 1881, 9 am

Thrawl St., Spitalfields

The companions meet at the same spot the next day, on a cold and damp November morning. Blessing is already in attendance, shivering in his cheap suit.

The morning does not bring glad tidings however. Late editions of the previous day’s papers carried stories of another murder. This time the victim has already been identified as David Cook 26, whose body was found in Sidney St. He was apparently last seen in the company of a young woman. But this was no ordinary fruit-seller or sailor; Cook was the son of Sir Brian Cook, Lord Rexford – an MP and wealthy landowner. Lord Rexford has offered the sum of 500 pounds for the apprehension of his son’s killer.

Consequently, the streets are even more tense as usual, with groups of young men openly prowling around. The police are more in attendance now too, and reinforcements have been drafted in from other boroughs.

Posted: **Tue Dec 22, 2020 3:23 am**

"We need to find her today," says Alexander. "There must be no more deaths. We couldn't have prevented last night's murder, as she never came home beforehand, but now she must be here - unless there's somewhere else she may have spent the night."

Posted: **Tue Dec 22, 2020 8:57 am**

Blessing looks pained at the mention of the murder.

“Perhaps if some of us enter the lodging house, and the rest wait here in case she comes by?” he suggests.

Posted: **Tue Dec 22, 2020 1:53 pm**

"I'll take a look inside," says Melody, "who's comin' with me?"

Posted: **Tue Dec 22, 2020 2:27 pm**

Crozier:

Crozier appears on time, in the same rather nautical coat and cap as yesterday. "There's no room for regrets here. We chart the best course we can on what we know."

"Melody, I think you and Brown have had the greatest success entering those premises without causing a riot. I am more than happy to let you continue that winning streak. Just shriek if you need us."

Posted: **Tue Dec 22, 2020 7:54 pm**

“And perhaps we should check around the back to watch any rear exits. I’ll stay and watch the front” Isolde is not keen to delve into the jumble of buildings at the back on her own. She is looking a bit under the weather today.

Posted: **Wed Dec 23, 2020 12:25 am**

Harry frowns, 'More luck than anything else but at least we know where we're going, come on Melody'

Posted: **Wed Dec 23, 2020 1:17 am**

“I will accompany you” says Blessing to Melody and Harry.

Leaving the others on the street, they enter the familiar jumble of houses, seeking out the lodging house where Crazy Annie could be found.

Familiar sights and sounds greet them, along with the suspicious stares of the residents.

Posted: **Wed Dec 23, 2020 4:37 am**

"I'll go round the back and watch from there," says Alexander. "Who will go with me?"

Posted: **Wed Dec 23, 2020 2:23 pm**

Crozier:

"Happy to, doctor," Crozier says to Campbell. He accompanies the doctor to the rear of the premises, treading carefully.

Posted: **Wed Dec 23, 2020 4:10 pm**

Alexander and Crozier attempt to make their way to the back of the lodging house. There is a narrow passage, but it is filthy and rubbish strewn, and smells terribly.

“What’re ye doin?” cries a voice. A rough-looking man stands regarding them. “What business d’ye have here, eh?”

Posted: **Wed Dec 23, 2020 8:05 pm**

“Do you know anything about, er, prostitutes, Vic?” Asks Isolde slightly distastefully. “I mean; I was wondering if Annie went off on her own accord or would she be working for someone.”
She watches the passers-by.

Posted: **Wed Dec 23, 2020 11:33 pm**

Posted: **Thu Dec 24, 2020 12:55 am**

Posted: **Thu Dec 24, 2020 1:23 am**

Vic felt herself blushing. ”Well, I’m aware that some women work as prostitutes and I understand that they might work from a brothel or even in the street, but I don’t know much more than that....” she said to Isolde.

Posted: **Thu Dec 24, 2020 2:49 am**

"We're looking for a criminal suspect," says Alexander, deciding that honesty is the best policy. "Our colleagues are round the front. We're just here to make sure our quarry doesn't slip out the back."

Posted: **Thu Dec 24, 2020 4:02 am**

“POLICE!”

The man starts shouting at the top of his voice.

Within the house several of the inhabitants hear the cry, and instantly take off running, the man himself joining them. The call also goes out around the other dosses, and soon there is a stream of people in the narrow lane, looking to escape the area. Our companions are barged around in the fray of panicking and shouting people, trying to stay on their feet and keep hold of their possessions.

Posted: **Thu Dec 24, 2020 4:56 am**

Crozier:

OOC: Good grief.

Crowley looks at Campbell with mild amusement. "Perhaps you might warn me before the next time you do that, Doctor." He keeps an arm tight across his torso to keep his valuables close and safe.

Posted: **Thu Dec 24, 2020 5:07 am**

"I think that's her," whispers Alexander as he sees someone.

Posted: **Thu Dec 24, 2020 5:16 am**

Alexander has seen a thin, pale but very pretty young woman in the crowd of people fleeing. She looks very much like the drawing made by Isolde of Blessing’s description.

Posted: **Thu Dec 24, 2020 7:53 am**

Crozier:

"Come on Campbell! No time to lose!" Crozier heads for the presumed nurse.

Posted: **Thu Dec 24, 2020 8:18 am**

The woman passes out of the passage into the main street.

Posted: **Thu Dec 24, 2020 8:14 pm**

Isolde is so alarmed by the sudden rush of people that she sees nothing but a blurred mass of worried faces.

Posted: **Fri Dec 25, 2020 2:07 am**

Alexander also hurries after her, pretending to be just another member of the crowd fleeing the "police."

Posted: **Fri Dec 25, 2020 2:23 am**

Alexander and Crozier are catching up to the fleeing figure.

Posted: **Fri Dec 25, 2020 8:57 am**

Harry continues to talk to the denizens of the doss house, looking for Annie.

Posted: **Fri Dec 25, 2020 10:13 pm**

Alexander knows better than to open his mouth again. If Captain Crozier wants to say something to her, that's fine with him, but otherwise he will follow her to see where she goes.

Posted: **Sat Dec 26, 2020 6:52 am**

Now safely ensconced in the crowds of Commercial St., Annie ducks into a nearby tea shop, where she takes a seat inside.

Posted: **Sat Dec 26, 2020 4:56 pm**

Vic looked on with bemusement. She’d been brought up to respect the police so to see the effect of the shouted warning was a new one to her. ”I shouldn’t imagine that will help our search,’ she commented to Isolde.

Posted: **Sat Dec 26, 2020 6:27 pm**

"You should stay here and keep watch," says Alexander to Captain Crozier, "while I go get the others and bring them here." Not for the first time, he wishes that wireless telephones already existed and were commonplace. It would have been so much easier to contact them.

Posted: **Sat Dec 26, 2020 8:11 pm**

“Someone certainly stirred them up!” Grins Isolde. “Can you see any of the others or are they still in there?” She looks up and down the street once the glow of people slackens.

Posted: **Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:28 am**

Crozier:

"Good planning, Doctor, I'll wait here." Crozier stands a few yards down the footpath, watching the door to the tea shop.

Posted: **Sun Dec 27, 2020 2:06 am**

Alexander hurries back to where the others are still searching for Annie and each other. The panic has subsided now, and some of the residents are starting to realise that there is no danger.

Alexander manages to gather the companions together, and they rush back to Commercial St. and the tea shop.

Their quarry is still inside, nursing a cup of tea. Blessing's face lights up as he sees her, and he heads for the door.

Posted: **Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:41 pm**

Crozier:

The Captain places a hand lightly on Blessing's shoulder for a moment. "Gently, doctor, you cannot guess what reaction you will receive. Go slowly. We will be near you but still not crowding the lass. And remember what she may have done, we must assume she is very, very dangerous."

Crozier will stick close by Doctor Blessing.

Posted: **Sun Dec 27, 2020 1:55 pm**

Blessing looks at Crozier, and nods gratefully.

“Thank you Captain” he says. “It is her, for sure.”

He hesitates for a moment.

“One thing has been nagging me all this time” he eventually says. “What was the cause of this? What has compelled her to commit these obscene crimes? I must discover the reason in order to end all of this.”

Posted: **Sun Dec 27, 2020 8:21 pm**

“It’s probably more important to get her somewhere safe without anyone else realising who she is. Finding out the reasons can happen later. If we lose her again we’ll never find her so be careful; she may not be happy to see you, Dr Blessing.” Isolde says, very concerned. “If she feels threatened she may well run again.”

Posted: **Sun Dec 27, 2020 9:58 pm**

Harry stands outside the tea shop covering the door. 'Is there a rear entrance?' I suggest we block the exits while Dr Blessing tries to persuade the young lady to accompany us somewhere less public.' He takes out a match and lights a cigar, taking the opportunity to feel the presence of the weighted cosh in his coat pocket.

Harry suspects this may be the moment when he has to make a choice between upholding the gentlemen's reckless promise to the doctor and preventing someone else getting murdered. He looks around for any sign of a police officer.

Posted: **Sun Dec 27, 2020 11:52 pm**

"Aye, let's wait until she's safely at the asylum before we try to find out why she did it," says Alexander. "I'll stay out front this time. It didn't go so well when I covered the back last time, but someone should."

Posted: **Mon Dec 28, 2020 2:21 am**

Posted: **Mon Dec 28, 2020 3:28 am**

Crozier:

Crozier follows Dr Blessing in, close behind his shoulder, with a thoughtful expression on his face. He is not best pleased at the idea of having to use violence against a member of the distaff side.

Posted: **Mon Dec 28, 2020 8:21 pm**

Isolde looks at Melody and Vic. “We ought to keep an eye out for any police men. We could try to distract them if they venture this way.”
Isolde looks up and down the street looking for any blue uniforms.

Posted: **Mon Dec 28, 2020 11:19 pm**

Harry looks up and down the street for a police officer but can't see any sign of one. 'Someone had better supervise Blessing, maybe one of the lady's, but I'll go with him if no one else wants to.'

Posted: **Mon Dec 28, 2020 11:43 pm**

Vic glanced down at her legs that were clad in jodhpurs and riding boots. “I’m not sure my ankles will distracting anyone dressed like this, so I think,I’ll come with you, Mr Brown,” she said.

Posted: **Tue Dec 29, 2020 1:41 am**

Crozier, Vic and Harry enter the tea shop with Blessing, while the others remain outside.

Inside it is warm, and the shop is mostly full. Blessing approaches the young woman, who is intent on her cup of tea, a worried expression on her face.

“Miss Bayldon? Joan?”

After a moment, the woman looks up in surprise.

“I’m Annie Bayldon” she says. “I don’t know any Joan. Perhaps you’re confusing me with someone else?”

Posted: **Tue Dec 29, 2020 1:47 am**

Surprised by her response Harry looks for Blessing's reaction.

OOC: Fail

Posted: **Tue Dec 29, 2020 2:52 am**

Crozier:
Crozier considers the young woman thoughtfully...

Posted: **Tue Dec 29, 2020 1:08 pm**

Vic watched on, unsure as to what was happening. Why had Blessing called her Joan? Wasn’t it Annie they were looking for?

Posted: **Tue Dec 29, 2020 4:42 pm**

“Miss Bayldon, do you know me?” asks Blessing. “I’m Christopher Blessing, from Malbray Asylum.”

A flicker of recognition comes at the mention of Malbray, although she doesn’t seem to recognize Blessing.

“Of course I know Malbray” she says. “But they released me. What do you want?”

“We want to help you” says Blessing earnestly. “We know about the problems you’ve been having. Will you come with us?”

Bayldon looks at him quizzically, as if unsure what to do.

Posted: **Wed Dec 30, 2020 12:26 am**

Crozier:

Crozier gives the others a discreet affirmative nod.

He looks to Miss Bayldon and removes his cap. "Miss, my name is Captain Crozier. The good doctor here, my friends and I are most concerned only for your welfare. You will be safe if you come with us. And if this is all a misunderstanding, it will soon be sorted out."

Posted: **Wed Dec 30, 2020 2:49 am**

Alexander sees the gesture and comes inside. "I'm Dr. Alexander Campbell," he says. "I'm helping Dr. Blessing, and I can assure you that he cares about you and has your best interests at heart." She seems to waver, but he hasn't quite convinced her.

Posted: **Wed Dec 30, 2020 8:04 pm**

Isolde watches through the window; it doesn’t seem to be going too well. But then at least Annie hasn’t run yet and doesn’t look panicked. She wonders if she went in too whether that would prove to be too many people.

Posted: **Thu Dec 31, 2020 3:11 am**

Posted: **Thu Dec 31, 2020 4:51 pm**

Harry silently slips beside Blessing. 'Miss Bayldon, we have something rather serious we need to talk to you about. It concerns the recent murders.'

OOC: Close but not close enough

Posted: **Thu Dec 31, 2020 7:58 pm**

Isolde looks at Melody. “Nothing ventured...” she says and pushes open the door. “Hello, Annie, I’m Isolde. We are all friends and we are not with any of the authorities. We’d like to help you, if we can.”

Posted: **Thu Dec 31, 2020 8:16 pm**

Following Isode through the door Melody agrees, "Yes we're just here to help."

OOC: Down to Vic to save our embarrassment...

Posted: **Fri Jan 01, 2021 8:44 pm**

Vic held out a reassuring hand. “We don’t wish you any harm,” she said.

Posted: **Sat Jan 02, 2021 1:15 am**

“Oy, ain’t you gonna sit dahn?” calls the proprietor when he sees the crowd around Miss Bayldon’s table.

Miss Bayldon herself looks confused for a moment, then finally relents at the multiple requests. She stands up.

“Very well” she says. “I’ll come with you.”

Blessing lets out a sigh of relief, and begins to lead Bayldon from the shop.

“We’ll get a cab, and get you back to Malbray. I’ll help you get to the bottom of this” he says.

Posted: **Sat Jan 02, 2021 6:28 am**

Alexander heads outside to hail a cab and make sure the path is clear.

Posted: **Sat Jan 02, 2021 2:35 pm**

Crozier:

The Captain fishes or some appropriate coins to pay for Miss Bayldon's tea, and a tip for good measure.

Posted: **Sat Jan 02, 2021 4:47 pm**

Cabs are plentiful and Alexander is easily able to hail one. It comes to a rest at the kerb, waiting for instruction.

The companions stand outside the tea shop, while Dr. Blessing negotiates the fare to Hackney Wick with the cabby. Miss Bayldon waits patiently, wrapped in her shawl against the cold autumn wind.

Posted: **Sat Jan 02, 2021 6:51 pm**

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 1:04 am**

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 1:10 am**

Crozier:

The Captain quickly hails another pair of cabs, that the entire party could travel together. "Shall one of us travel with Dr Blessing and the young lady?"

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 1:11 am**

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 1:12 am**

Harry whispers to Vic, 'Miss Miller, you'd best go with the doctor and Miss Bayldon, we'll follow behind.'

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 1:22 am**

Alexander nods and looks around for additional cabs.

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 1:22 am**

Seeing Crozier’s actions, Dr. Blessing asks, “Do you intend to come to Malbray with us?”

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 2:13 am**

Vic nodded.

She smiled at Miss Bayldon and took her arm. ”I’ll come with you and Dr. Blessing,” she said brightly.

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 2:58 am**

Crozier:

The Captain nods to Dr Blessing. "Aye, we should not be doing our duty unless we at least saw you both safe to Malbray."

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 3:17 am**

Melody just nods in agreement.

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 3:06 pm**

Blessing hesitates for a moment, then nods.

"Certainly, we appreciate the company. I'll see you at Malbray."

He and Bayldon board the cab, with Vic squeezing in behind them.

The carriage sets off, and as soon as the rest of the party is boarded in their transport, they leave for Hackney Wick.

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 9:04 pm**

Alexander watches the other cab through the window, just to make sure they don't get separated.

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 10:55 pm**

“What are we going g to do when we get there? I doubt they’ll let us in. Annie will disappear inside and that’ll be the last of her. Until she escapes again.” Isolde adds darkly.

Posted: **Sun Jan 03, 2021 11:04 pm**

"I thought she worked there," says Alexander. "She was able to come and go as she pleased before, but now she can't. I think Dr. Blessing will let us inside."

Posted: **Mon Jan 04, 2021 12:04 am**

Vic sat facing Dr Blessing and Miss Bayldon. The silence was oppressive and for want of anything else to say, Vic said, ”When were you released from Malbury, Miss Bayldon?”

Posted: **Mon Jan 04, 2021 1:39 am**

Posted: **Mon Jan 04, 2021 2:11 am**

Crozier:

Experienced at performing essential tasks while in a roughly moving vessel, the Captain pulls out his hip flask and artfully pours a 'wee dram' of single malt into its upturned cap. He offers this to Isolde first. "Fine single malt. It will help ward off the chill of this ride, Miss isolde."

Dr Campbell will of course be offered a dram next.

Posted: **Mon Jan 04, 2021 4:39 am**

"Thank ye kindly, Captain," says Alexander, gratefully accepting the dram.

Posted: **Mon Jan 04, 2021 8:18 pm**

Isolde takes the dram and drinks it with a lady like splutter.
“Thank you, Captain. It’s very warming; as the saying goes- something about cockles?”

Posted: **Tue Jan 05, 2021 1:17 am**

Crozier:

"Warms the cockles of your heart. And indeed it does." Crozier knocks back a capfull himself. "May I tempt anyone to a second? For medicinal purposes only, it is a long and chilly ride."

Posted: **Tue Jan 05, 2021 2:43 am**

"Thank ye," says Alexander, "but I'd best keep my wits about me. It does warm one, though. Hmm...that is an additional advantage a carriage powered by a steam engine would have - the heat from the engine could be used to warm the interior."

Posted: **Tue Jan 05, 2021 8:42 am**

Crozier:

"Aye, many's the sailor who has gratefully warmed himself by the engine of a tramp steamer, I assure you, Doctor. But surely burning coal smoke would make travel on a small land vessel unsavory? In the carriage of a train you are some distance from the engine."

Posted: **Wed Jan 06, 2021 2:35 am**

"Aye, that is the problem with it," says Alexander. "Perhaps what is needed is a new type of engine, one that burns more cleanly."

Posted: **Wed Jan 06, 2021 10:49 am**

Isolde sighs into her muffler. With all the cooking fires burning in London it was stinking enough without all the cabs and carts carrying fires too.

Posted: **Wed Jan 06, 2021 8:48 pm**

Harry follows in a third cab with Melody. He drops the more refined accent he uses with the other members of the Seekers. 'I don't like this, I don't like this wun little bit' he says to Melody. 'Did yah see that woman? She didn't recognise the name Blessing used. And now they're disappearin' off to the asylum.' He shudders, 'Whadda we really know about 'im anyway?'

Posted: **Thu Jan 07, 2021 3:50 pm**

Eventually the three cabs arrive at Malbray. Blessing climbs down and after paying the driver, helps Miss Bayldon and then Vic from the cab.

As the other companions emerge, Blessing addresses them.

“Thank you all most sincerely for your assistance. I will now see that Miss Bayldon receives the treatment she needs, and attempt to get some answers as to why all of this happened. Captain Crozier, I will send you a telegram to advise on progress as soon as I can. Until then.”

He bows his head and begins to lead Bayldon to the gate.

Posted: **Thu Jan 07, 2021 8:11 pm**

Isolde hides a wry smile with her hand. “I’m not sure we should stand for that!” She whispers to her companions as they alight from the cab. “After all we have done to help him, one of us at least must sit in on that discussion.”

She calls out to the doctor,
“Doctor Blessing, before you go, we have aided you as promised; at least let some of us be part of that discussion with the young lady.”

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 1:06 am**

Blessing hesitates.

“I’m not against it in principle of course, you've all been of the most marvelous assistance, but I’m not sure that Dr. Vandorff would approve. It’s probably best to wait until I send word.”

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:35 am**

"Perhaps at least some of us can come in," says Alexander. "I'm sure if we could speak to Dr. Vandorff, we could convince him."

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:00 am**

Blessing still looks uncertain.

“Well, I will have to ask him. If you’re absolutely sure.”

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:30 am**

Crozier:

The Captain goes to speak to the three cab drivers. "Lads, I'm hoping I can convince you to wait an hour or two here for us. There's a half crown in it for each of you, on top of your charge for bringing us out here and for taking us back. What do you say?"

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 8:20 am**

The cabbies agree to wait, and seeing that the companions are determined to enter, Blessing unlocks the gate and the party proceeds up the drive towards the main asylum building.

As it grows closer, it appears even more gloomy and forbidding than from at the gate. Its stone walls are cold and streaked with moss, crumbling and grey but still imposing, and all visible windows are barred and shuttered. Very little noise can be heard. A long veranda runs along the asylum’s front and sides, while at the south end a tall tower rises above the rest of the building; a tiny circular window in its conical roof suggests an attic room. Overall, the atmosphere is one of melancholy, neglect and despair.

Blessing leads the way to the main doors. Inside is an entryway furnished with wooden chairs and a coat tree.

“You’ll be more comfortable in the receiving room” he says, and he enters an adjoining room containing plush but ageing chairs, a divan, a desk, and numerous bookshelves containing many books.

“Please wait here while I consult with Dr. Vandorff” says Blessing, and he leads Miss Bayldon away down the corridor, closing the door behind him.

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 12:40 pm**

Crozier:

The Captain's scotch-induced haze is forcibly cleared by the depressing environment. He wanders over to read the book titles.

"Hmmm, I guess we have to decide if this is an institution that will keep society safe from that young woman. We know what she's done and is capable of."

"I wonder if we might find someone here who could explain those symbols she was carving into men? Or even why she was murdering them?"

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:52 pm**

Looking at the book titles, many of them seem to be medical and psychological tomes, mostly written in English, German and Latin. The other subjects represented include philosophy, history and anthropology. There is nothing about the occult.

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 3:59 pm**

Harry skims the book titles but nothing catches his eye. 'So what's our plan if they whisk her away and kick us out?'

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 6:19 pm**

"If they kick us out, we should go to the police," says Melody, "Either that or we go to Nash wi' everything we know.

"This Doctor Blessin' ain't given me any reason to trust 'im at all."

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 7:41 pm**

Keeping an eye on the door, lest he return, Vic said quietly, ”There seems to be some confusion about who the woman is. She thinks she’s Annie Bayldon but Dr. Blessing thinks she is called Joan Bayldon and that Annie was her mother’s name. He’s planning to hypnotise her - he thinks she is repressing memories, but of what, he wouldn’t say.”

She thought for a moment. ”I think it might be useful if we were there when that happened. I’m not sure I completely trust Dr. Blessing.”

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 8:29 pm**

Isolde, out of habit, is drawn to the books. “I agree, we simply must have someone watching the hypnotism if that happens. Maybe this Dr. Vandorff might be persuaded by a scientific reason.” She looks at Alexander and Crozier.

Posted: **Fri Jan 08, 2021 8:54 pm**

Melody follows Isolde across to the bookshelf.

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 12:39 am**

Seeing Isolde and Melody examine the books. Vic took a wander over to the bookshelf to look for herself.

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 3:41 am**

"Aye, I could do that," says Alexander, examining the books. "Perhaps she has a twin sister. Or perhaps she has two distinct personalities."

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 1:11 pm**

Crozier:
"The one thing I am certain of is that Dr Blessing's concern for that young woman is genuine. As for who she is, is it such a stretch to imagine that her insanity makes her believe she is another?"

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 3:06 pm**

At that moment the door opens, and a powerful-looking woman enters carrying a tray. Her demeanor is grim and her hair is cropped very short. Some of the companions recognize her as the woman they spoke to at the gate on their previous visit.

She sets the tray down on the desk. It contains a teapot with cups and saucers, with a jug of milk.

“Herr Doktor will see you soon” she says in a heavily-accented voice. “Please, refresh.”

She begins to pour the tea into the cups, and starts handing them out to the investigators.

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:24 pm**

“Thank you.” Isolde is glad of a cup of tea. She takes it to the window and sips it whilst looking out.

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:55 pm**

"Thank ye kindly," says Alexander, gratefully accepting a cup of tea.

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 8:58 pm**

Ignoring the tea, Harry starts pacing by the window. 'Has anyone heard of this Doctor Vandorff?'

Posted: **Sat Jan 09, 2021 9:08 pm**

"Not I," says Alexander. "Has anyone heard of a Dr. Arnst von Draffen?"

Posted: **Sun Jan 10, 2021 12:38 am**

Mephistophilis wrote:
Keeper,Any chance we'd have heard of him?

OOC: No.

The woman looks mortally offended at Harry's refusal. Her features take on an even grimmer visage. She holds the cup out again.

"Tea! Refresh!"

Posted: **Sun Jan 10, 2021 1:20 am**

Vic stood back. She wasn’t inclined to drink the tea either. If offered, she wouldn’t refuse the cup but she had no plans to drink it.

Posted: **Sun Jan 10, 2021 1:47 am**

Crozier:

The Captain steps in smoothly, hoping to avoid any arguments. "Yes of course. Please forgive my colleague, he has not had all the benefits of a formal upbringing. He would be most grateful for a cup of tea, as would I." At some moment when Crozier's face is not visible to the woman but Brown can see him, he grins and waggles his eyebrows once.

Crozier himself accepts a cup and, again for Brown's eyes, lifts it to his lips without drinking. After that, he will continue sipping normally.

Posted: **Sun Jan 10, 2021 8:20 pm**

“It’s very nice tea.” Says Isolde despite the fact that it really isn’t. “Excuse me, are you the housekeeper? You must have your work cut out running this huge establishment.” She smiles at Rosa Klebb. My name is Miss Isolde Beauchant and you are?”

Posted: **Sun Jan 10, 2021 8:29 pm**

Nodding to Crozier, Harry takes the tea and stands sloshing it about the cup without drinking. 'Thank you very kind.'

Posted: **Mon Jan 11, 2021 1:08 am**

Satisfied, the woman leaves, ignoring or not understanding Isolde's questions.

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 12:27 am**

Vic looked around the room. If there was a pot plant, it would be getting the benefit of her tea... ...

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 2:48 am**

About thirty more minutes pass, but there is no word from the staff.

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 5:11 am**

"I mentioned Dr. Arnst von Draffen because he wrote several of these books," says Alexander. "They should have come back for us by now. I wonder what's going on."

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 6:01 am**

Alexander’s question is answered when Crozier suddenly crashes to the floor unconscious, and Isolde leans back in her chair, closes her eyes, and begins snoring loudly. Melody too is afflicted, sinking back on the sofa, her head in her hands.

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 8:52 am**

Seeing what has happened to his companions Harry immediately tries the door handle to see if it is locked. If it is he checks the window.

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 2:11 pm**

As Harry turns the knob, the door opens easily. It's not locked.

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 2:15 pm**

Very gently Harry edges open the door to look outside.

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 2:25 pm**

The entryway to the main door is clear, but there is another door on the opposite side of the room too. It is also unlocked, and opens out onto a corridor. Other doors can be seen.

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:30 pm**

Vic jumped as Captain Crozier crashed to the floor. She rushed to help him, turned him over and gently patted his face, searching his pocket for a handkerchief to mop up the blood that trickled from his nose. She looked

”Mr. Brown!” she hissed. “What are we going to do?!”

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 7:33 pm**

Harry hisses back, 'The way to the front door is clear but I can hear two voices coming, and they're not English.'

Posted: **Tue Jan 12, 2021 11:44 pm**

”There must have been something in the tea,” said Vic. ”If there are only two of them, we could pretend to be drugged too and see what they do!”

Posted: **Wed Jan 13, 2021 2:50 am**

"Aye," whispers Alexander, slumping over on the sofa beside Melody and pretending to be unconscious. "They probably speak German."

Posted: **Wed Jan 13, 2021 4:56 am**

Posted: **Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:46 am**

Harry looks back at his companions and against his better judgement walks back towards the window and sinks down against the wall, his hand on the cosh in his pocket.

Posted: **Wed Jan 13, 2021 8:56 am**

The companions hurriedly lie down and feign unconsciousness. Soon, the door creaks open, and someone enters the room.

With their eyes closed, the companions cannot see who is there, but they hear the voice of the woman from earlier. Her companion is male, and answers in a deep gruff growl.

One of them crosses the room and locks the exits. They return to where they came and leave the room, locking the door behind them.

Posted: **Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:14 am**

Posted: **Wed Jan 13, 2021 9:19 am**

When they've left, Harry goes back to the door and tries to pick the lock without success. 'We're stuck in here, let's take a look at the sleepers.'

OOC: Uh oh

Posted: **Wed Jan 13, 2021 10:35 pm**

After trying to arouse his sleeping companions Harry sets out their precarious situation. 'We're locked in, they think we're unconscious but I expect they'll be back soon with the orderlies to lock us away, or worse. Sergeant Craig knew we were investigating the asylum, but didn't know we had come here because...' he scowls at Alexander, 'We promised Blessing not to involve them. So even if he comes looking for us I doubt there will be anything to find. The cabbies were likely sent off and wouldn't think anything untoward. So unless we can get out of here now we're in trouble.'

He looks over the windows to see if there are bars affixed, and if so, whether they might be removed. He looks around the room, 'Perhaps we could barricade the door, buy some time. Or maybe we will just have to try and fight our way out.'

He looks at the window, wondering if he could break the glass and throw out a few burning books to catch the attention of the cabbies if they're still here.

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:54 am**

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:30 am**

"The answers we seek may actually be here," says Alexander. "If we leave, it should only be to bring in the police and have them go over this place with a fine-toothed comb. At this point, Dr. Blessing appears to have betrayed us, and the agreement is now void. We have multiple witnesses to our kidnapping, and that is cause enough for the police to act. But we cannot leave without our unconscious friends. We must try to revive them." He tries to awaken Melody.

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:44 am**

Despite the efforts of the conscious investigators, Crozier and Isolde cannot be awoken. Melody is functional and awake, but she complains of feeling dopey and lethargic, and is clearly not functioning at her full capacity.

It has been about 10 minutes since the couple left.

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 12:07 pm**

Harry tries the other doors.

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 2:54 pm**

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 3:20 pm**

"I'm okay Doctor," says Melody groggily, "but I won't be much use at the moment."

"Try to wake the others."

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 5:00 pm**

Posted: **Thu Jan 14, 2021 7:20 pm**

Having made Crozier comfortable, Vic looked around the room. Seeing the doors, she went to check them out.

Posted: **Fri Jan 15, 2021 4:13 am**

"They're not waking up," says Alexander after trying. "It's too late to force the drugs out of their stomachs; they'll have already passed through into the bloodstream. We'll have to carry them until they sleep it off, presuming we can get out of this room. Maybe if we could find some sort of stimulant, but that's dangerous in untrained hands."

Posted: **Fri Jan 15, 2021 4:38 am**

Harry manages to open a door, which accesses the entry hall.

However, at this moment, there is the sound of the opposite door being unlocked…

Posted: **Fri Jan 15, 2021 6:08 am**

Alexander pretends to be passed out on the sofa again and gestures for the others to do the same.

Posted: **Fri Jan 15, 2021 12:49 pm**

Vic quickly adopted the same position she had been in when they had first been checked.

Posted: **Fri Jan 15, 2021 12:53 pm**

Closing the door behind him Harry makes a break for the entrance. He's not turning down a second chance.

Posted: **Fri Jan 15, 2021 2:58 pm**

OOC: As the party has split up, I'll make separate threads.

Posted: **Sat Jan 23, 2021 3:42 pm**

Alexander and Vic retreat back to the receiving room, in time to see Harry being berated by an incensed Melody.

“Why the bloody hell are you slapping them? We’ve been drugged, you bloody fool.”

Seeing Vic and Alexander return, she says,

“The coward came back. Maybe this time he’ll stay and help. Where’s the woman?”

Posted: **Sat Jan 23, 2021 8:07 pm**

"She ran down the hall and around the corner," says Alexander. "She was too far ahead for us to catch before she gets help. We should barricade the door we just came through."

Posted: **Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:06 am**

Harry ignores Melody, she's clearly delirious. 'I've just had a run in with the big man from the inquest. I've bolted the front door but he's out there. The front gate's locked, the cabs have left, and I couldn't get over the wall.'

His mind is racing, there's little chance of sneaking out for help now. They'll need to break out en masse. 'We need to get keys from someone and take a carriage if we're going to get out. How many orderlies did you see? Currently I've got the giant, the two rough ones, but I've not seen them yet, and the German woman, anyone else? Maybe the man we heard was the giant, he was German. And where's Blessing? Looks like he double crossed us.'

Posted: **Sun Jan 24, 2021 12:31 am**

”What can we use to barricade the door?” asked Vic.”Should we drag some of the furniture over?”

Posted: **Sun Jan 24, 2021 2:21 am**

"Aye, that's all we've got," says Alexander, helping to shift the furniture. "I dinna ken if Dr. Blessing betrayed us. They may have locked him up in here, and the lass too. I only saw the German woman."

Posted: **Sun Jan 24, 2021 5:06 am**

The companions begin to barricade the door to the corridor, using the desk.

Posted: **Sun Jan 24, 2021 2:52 pm**

'There's another door out here,' Harry steps out into the entrance and tries the third door to see where it goes. He then sees if he can lock it from the inside. If not, he looks around for furniture that might barricade it.

Posted: **Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:13 pm**

As Harry is fiddling with the door to the entrance way, the set of double doors in the receiving room, which have remained shut throughout events, suddenly click open.

The big man with long black hair enters, looking around the room. But he raises his hands in submission.

"Please" he begins in his thick accent. "No fight. Me vant talk."

Melody looks up at him from her place on the sofa, speaking quickly.

"Dr. Blessing talked about you. You're Mansche, aren't you? He said you weren't a cruel man. Why are you doing this?"

Mansche nods and looks down at her.

"Doctor said you bad people. Vant to hurt us. Why?"

Posted: **Sun Jan 24, 2021 4:25 pm**

'I met Mr Mansch outside' says Harry, 'Sorry about pushin' you over' he says sheepishly, 'I 'ope the ankle's not too bad.'

'We were invited here by Dr Blessing, 'elped 'im find Miss Bayldon, then you and your associates drugged us and attacked my friends', he gestures to the others.

'We've got no idea why Blessing would say we want to 'urt anyone. We're jus' protecting ourselves.'

Posted: **Sun Jan 24, 2021 10:42 pm**

"We don't want to hurt anyone, and we're not bad people," says Alexander. "Doctor lied to you, to try to trick you. He's really a bad person. They gave us tea when we came, but they put something in it to make us fall asleep. Most of us didn't drink it. Then the big woman came and tried to put us away. When we told her to stop, she tried to hurt us."

Posted: **Sun Jan 24, 2021 11:55 pm**

Vic still had ahold of the poker which she tried to hide behind her legs, lest this Mansch fellow get the wrong idea about them wanting to hurt him.

Posted: **Mon Jan 25, 2021 1:17 am**

“Not Blessing” says Mansche. “Doctor Vandorff.”

He stops, obviously thinking to himself.

Just then, the door to the corridor rattles as someone tries to open it. It is then pushed, as someone tries to force themselves in.

“Greta?” Mansche shouts.

“Rolf?” comes the reply. “Vas ist?”

Rolf speaks again in German, and the noise on the other side of the door stops.

Posted: **Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:18 am**

Alexander remains silent so as not to give away that they're still present.

Posted: **Mon Jan 25, 2021 9:20 am**

Posted: **Mon Jan 25, 2021 3:59 pm**

Vic cannot make any sense out of the dialect being spoken. It comes as a surprise then, as shortly the female orderly enters the room through the same doors as Rolf. She carries what looks like a short club in one meaty fist. She is followed by a most unwelcome sight – the short, blond, horribly dirty man seen at the inquests, using the asylum coach. Even worse, he holds a double-barreled shotgun in his hands. Seeing the companions, he smiles nastily.

Rolf turns and addresses the woman in German. She turns to look at him, a dumbfounded expression on her face.

“You, out!” Rolf growls at the blond man, whose smile instantly vanishes.

“What?” he protests. His accent is also foreign, but unlike the others. “The Doctor said…”

He is given no time to finish as Rolf, paying no heed to the gun, quickly raises one massive palm to the man's face and forcefully pushes him back through the doors, closing them afterwards.

Rolf , wincing as he puts his weight on his right leg, then begins a rapid-fire discussion in German with the woman, who he addresses as Greta. It is clear that they are very familiar with each other.

Posted: **Mon Jan 25, 2021 6:15 pm**

Posted: **Tue Jan 26, 2021 1:28 am**

The conversation continues. Greta appears quite angry, sometimes gesturing towards the companions, while Rolf seems stubborn, often repeating the same phrases. Eventually he turns to the investigators and asks,

“Tell us everything. Why are you ‘ere with Dr. Blessing and Miss Bayldon?”

Meanwhile, Isolde begins to stir in her chair.

Posted: **Tue Jan 26, 2021 3:56 am**

"We are members of a group called the Seekers of Enlightenment," explains Alexander. "We were hired to investigate the murders in the East End. We met Dr. Blessing in the process, as he has been attending some of the Coroner's inquests, the same as we have. He told us that the woman committing the murders is not in her right mind, and we agreed to help him find her and bring her here for treatment. She actually works here, he told us. With the description he gave, we were able to track her down to her flat. It took some convincing, but we got Miss Bayldon to agree to come with us to the asylum. However, she gave a different first name than the one Dr. Blessing knew. We convinced Dr. Blessing to let us come inside, and were told to wait here. The tea that Greta gave us was drugged, but most of us did not drink it. When some of our friends fell asleep, the rest of us pretended to be asleep as well. She returned with the intention of locking us up. Once she realized we were only shamming, she assaulted me. I managed to fend off her blows, but then she attacked our companion here." He indicates Vic. "It was at that point that we managed to get through her defenses, and she ran away."

Posted: **Tue Jan 26, 2021 5:13 am**

The couple look confused at the onslaught of English, but they try to follow it as best they can.

“You helped Miss Bayldon?” asks Rolf “You brought her back?”

“Yes” says Melody. “We could have told the police about her, but we didn’t. We brought her here to help her and Dr. Blessing. And you try to drug us, and lock us up!”

She indicates the strait-jackets.

Rolf looks shame-faced, and turns to Greta, who is still looking doubtful. He starts talking to her in German again.

Posted: **Tue Jan 26, 2021 8:19 pm**

Isolde’s dream of a river party fractures as German voices intrude, She wakes up groggily, feeling rather sick. Once she opens her eyes and sees the rather alarming tableau, she tries to sit up.

Posted: **Tue Jan 26, 2021 10:25 pm**

Harry addresses them again, 'Mr Mansch and, erm, I'm afraid we haven't been introduced to your...wife?'

'We've been investigating the recent murders in the East End. I visited here to ask some questions a week ago.' He looks at the woman to see if he recognises her and she him.

'We met Dr Blessing and your two unsavoury colleagues at the inquest. When Dr Blessing explained that Miss Bayldon was the murderer but she needed assistance, we agreed to aid Dr Blessing in finding her and bringing her back to the asylum for help. He said he might be able to treat her. We were trying to stop her from being hurt by the police, by the street mobs, and by your colleagues.' He looks pleadingly to Mr Mansche and the woman.

'Everything we have done has been to try and help Miss Bayldon. If we've hurt anyone at all, and sorry again about the leg, it has been in self defence.'

'We have never even met this Doctor Vandorff. Would it be like him to want to imprison or harm people?'

'You must let us go, the police would come looking for us, you are not the kind of people who want to hurt others, I can see that.'

Posted: **Wed Jan 27, 2021 12:48 am**

Vic listened carefully as they spoke and it finally began to make sense...

Posted: **Wed Jan 27, 2021 1:16 am**

The couple listen to Harry’s words, but they struggle to follow it all. They start at the mention of the word ‘police’. Again they resume their conversation.

Posted: **Wed Jan 27, 2021 5:27 pm**

”We only came here to help,” said Vic to Greta. “I’m not sure why you were asked to try to drug us, but we don’t mean any harm. We’re just trying to get to the bottom of the recent murders.”

Posted: **Thu Jan 28, 2021 1:30 am**

“Where is Dr. Blessing?” Melody asks the couple.

At this question, Greta casts her eyes down.

“In his room” she replies.

“Is he a prisoner too?” Melody asks.

Greta nods. This brings a new round of German between her and Rolf. Greta begins to nod her head in resignation.

Posted: **Thu Jan 28, 2021 4:47 am**

Alexander waits to see what Vic says first, seeing as she understands the language.

Posted: **Thu Jan 28, 2021 4:49 pm**

With her ear now tuned into their speech, Vic found it much easier to follow their conversation.

Posted: **Thu Jan 28, 2021 8:16 pm**

Isolde sits quietly waiting to regain her faculties and trying to figure what’s been going on. She wonders how long she’s been asleep.

Posted: **Fri Jan 29, 2021 1:38 am**

Posted: **Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:20 am**

Reluctant to remain cooped up, Vic said, ”Why don’t we come with you and see the doctor so we can talk to him directly?”

Posted: **Sat Jan 30, 2021 4:00 am**

Greta seems somewhat surprised at this request, but is urged by Rolf to accept.

“Very well” she says.

Melody, who is still weakened by the drug, offers to stay with Crozier.

The party leaves the room, but as they enter the corridor they are greeted by the sight of the dirty blond orderly from earlier, who has been joined by his equally foul, black-haired companion. The blond has his shotgun, while the other man carries a revolver.

“Everything okay, Wolf?” asks the black-haired one. “Joseph ‘ere says you might need a hand with our guests. Where you goin’?”

Rolf doesn’t stop limping forward. “See Doctor” he says impassively.

“You wouldn’t ‘av ‘ad a change o’ heart now, would you Greta?” sneers the man.

Rolf stops short before him, Greta not far behind.

“Stand aside” says Rolf to the man.

“Now look ‘ere” he begins, but is interrupted when Rolf swings a mighty fist at him.

Any other man might have been felled by the blow, but this wily street fighter is prepared. He casually steps back and fires his revolver at Rolf, but the shot goes wide, striking the wall. The other man, Joseph, aims his shotgun at Rolf, but is interrupted by Greta, who swings and misses with her club. He swings the gun back towards her.

Posted: **Sat Jan 30, 2021 4:58 am**

Seeing that Joseph is the greater threat with that shotgun - and wanting to take it for himself - Alexander moves up close to him so that he cannot bring the barrel to bear on him and socks him in the jaw!

Posted: **Sat Jan 30, 2021 9:00 am**

Harry leans in to seize the man arm, then tries to grab the revolver.

Posted: **Sat Jan 30, 2021 1:37 pm**

Vic aimed for the blonde man’s hand where he gripped the shotgun, trying to loosen his grip or even break his fingers. She was getting decidedly fed-up of everyone acting in such a disagreeable manner and she swung the poker down sharply, with as must force as she could muster!

Posted: **Sun Jan 31, 2021 2:57 pm**

Isolde ducks back inside the room, pale and wide-eyed from the shock of seeing the guns.
“My word, what has got into everybody?!” She exclaims to Melody. “Even Vic is brandishing her poker like a man!” She kneels down by Crozier, “Is there anything we can do to wake him?”

Posted: **Sun Jan 31, 2021 3:32 pm**

“Oh for crying out loud!” says Melody crossly. “We was drugged! You don’t just wake someone up like they been 'aving a nap! Why can’t any of you understand that?”

Meanwhile in the corridor, Harry seizes the man’s arm. He tries to counter by knocking Harry away with the butt of his revolver, but Harry gets a grip on that wrist and twists, causing him to let go of the gun. It is snatched up by Rolf, who points it at his head.

Although Vic misses with her swinging poker, Joseph is sent spinning by Alexander’s punch, dropping the shotgun as he crashes to the floor. Greta is quick to pick it up, and levels it at him.

“Get da straitjackets” Greta says to Alexander and Vic. She jerks her head back in the direction of the receiving room.

“You’re done for now, Greta” snarls the dark-haired man. “The Doc is gonna see to you both.”

“No talk!” says Greta menacingly. As Joseph sits up groaning, she kicks him viciously in the stomach, and he doubles over in pain. Rolf says something to her in German, clearly an admonishment, but her action has the desired effect, and the man shuts up.

Posted: **Sun Jan 31, 2021 8:21 pm**

Harry is acutely aware that the firearms are both in possession of the Germans and he's still not sure he trusts them. He pulls the cosh out of his coat, ready to knockout anyone who tries anything stupid. 'We don't want to hurt anyone' he says, looking pointedly at Greta, 'But I won't hesitate to use this if I have to' and he slaps it into his palm looking menacingly at the two disarmed orderlies.

Posted: **Sun Jan 31, 2021 9:21 pm**

Alexander hurries to fetch the straitjackets.

Posted: **Mon Feb 01, 2021 12:27 am**

Vic hurries after Alexander. ”What on earth is going on?!’’ she said. She grabbed the straightjacket then paused, turning back to check on the others before they left the room again.

Posted: **Mon Feb 01, 2021 1:14 am**

"I was hoping you'd have a better idea, as you understand the language," says Alexander. "I don't know any German; it's all Greek to me."

Posted: **Mon Feb 01, 2021 1:33 am**

”It seems that Greta and Rolf were put up to this by Dr Vandorf, but they’re now having second thoughts,” replied Vic. “They don’t want to get in trouble with the police. The other two, don’t seem to have any such qualms, but hopefully they’re not going to be any trouble now.”

“By the sounds of it, our Dr Blessing was also a patient. Beyond that, I’m not sure what’s going on!”

Posted: **Mon Feb 01, 2021 2:01 am**

Melody decides to wait with Crozier.

Covering the shotgun two men with the shotgun, Greta instructs Rolf, who puts his gun in his pocket and begins fitting them with the strait-jackets. Joseph is still dazed, but the other man glares evilly at the party, muttering threats and curses.

When done, Greta looks around. Opposite is a door with a glass panel. She unlocks it and motions the men in.

“You stay there. We let you out later” she tells them.

Locking the door, she motions to the others.

“Come, we go see Doctor now.”

Greta leads the way up the stairs. At the top, she looks around. There are various doorways, but she crosses to a large room on the right, and opens it. A voice, speaking in German, can be heard inside, and it rises in anger as the party enters.

The room is a bedroom, neatly furnished with a bed, nightstand, dresser, and desk, seated at which in a wheelchair is a small wizened man, bald, with pince-nez glasses, and a narrow face. His age is difficult to determine, but his blue eyes gleam with intelligence. He faces the party across his desk, which is covered with notes and papers.

Addressing Greta in German, he has an edge to his voice. His accent is like Greta and Rolf's, but sounds more refined. Greta looks somewhat shame-faced, and her chin droops. She lowers the shotgun to her side.

Posted: **Mon Feb 01, 2021 1:51 pm**

Posted: **Mon Feb 01, 2021 3:51 pm**

Doctor Vandorff keeps on speaking, murmuring gently to Greta. His ruse pays off – she has dropped her guard, and his hand snaps up, holding a revolver.

However, due to the stress of the moment, or his infirm condition, the shot goes high and wild. Greta instinctively brings her shotgun up, but having no time to aim, she only succeeds in blowing a chunk of plaster out of the wall.

While Rolf reaches into his pocket for his newly acquired handgun, Vandorff fires again. This time his aim is better. Greta cries out in pain as the bullet rips into her shoulder, and she crashes to the floor.

Rolf roars in anguish, his target temporarily forgotten.

Posted: **Mon Feb 01, 2021 10:55 pm**

Posted: **Tue Feb 02, 2021 12:47 am**

Posted: **Tue Feb 02, 2021 1:14 am**

Posted: **Tue Feb 02, 2021 3:25 am**

Posted: **Tue Feb 02, 2021 3:31 am**

Posted: **Tue Feb 02, 2021 4:14 am**

Alexander is a little slow to react when he grabs for the shotgun.

Posted: **Tue Feb 02, 2021 4:45 am**

Posted: **Tue Feb 02, 2021 12:02 pm**

Vic dived for the shotgun, startled when Alexander tried to do exactly the same thing at the same time!

Posted: **Tue Feb 02, 2021 12:12 pm**

Too far away to reach Vandorff and aware of the imminent danger of him shooting someone else, Harry feels the substantial weight of the cosh in his hand and desperately pitches it at the Doctor hoping to hit him and distract him, or at least to disrupt his aim.

Posted: **Tue Feb 02, 2021 3:54 pm**

As Vic and Alexander dive after the fallen shotgun, Harry’s hurled cosh strikes Vandorff in the chest with a loud thump. He cries out in pain, dropping the revolver on his desk and doubling over.

Meanwhile, Rolf has rushed to Greta’s side, where she lays unconscious, blood streaming from her shoulder.

Posted: **Tue Feb 02, 2021 5:00 pm**

Harry grabs for the revolver, covering Vandorff before he can do anything else.

Play@YSDC

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