Play@YSDC

Friday 28th October, 1881, 9 am

Swanlea School, Brady St., Whitechapel

The same venue is used again for yet another session of the ongoing inquests. Today there are more journalists than usual, for the police have yet to catch the killer, and a dark rumour has begun to circulate through the crowd – news of another murder.

Partington-White ends the Rodrigues inquest with another verdict of death by foul play. Inspectors Cleveland and Spaulding look on, as does Sgt. Craig. Estes Hackett and his men are making a scene, berating the police for their lack of progress, and professing a quick end to the killer should they be caught. Hackett is whipping up the crowd, and he is summarily ejected before long. Also present at the proceedings are the two horrid individuals whom Capt. Crozier previously accosted, and sitting across the room from them is the young doctor from Malbray Asylum, looking tense and tired.

The Vernon inquest continues, with evidence being given by a local constable. He adds confirmation to the poor reputation of the deceased; namely that many local vagrants around the railyard were heard to cheer as Vernon’s body was removed. However, no witnesses to the slaying have come forward. A spool of thread was found very close to the body.

Crozier:

Crozier once again attends in suit, Inverness coat, and top hat. Prior to the inquest commencing, he regales the other Seekers with a tale of the jolly good pheasant being served at the club the night before. Crozier contrasts this with an unhappy experience some years earlier eating roast penguin while sailing in colder climates. He finishes by insisting he be allowed to take the entire entourage out for a good roasted avian, once this mystery is solved. But not penguin.

If he chances to catch the eyes of the two ruffians, he will give them his best look of steely disdain, and indeed contempt.

Later, after hearing further ghastly details, he turns to his colleagues. "I cannot fathom what the point is of carving these symbols on the victims. The murderer should be trying to sail for clearer waters, you should think. What mean these symbols?"

”Perhaps it is a message, or a cipher,” said Vic thoughtfully. “We talked about the letters V and X being Roman numerals, but the square would seem to discount that theory. I’m at a loss how else to explain it.”

She leaned forward and looked across to the more-established members of the Society and said, ”Do we know of anyone who might assist us?”

Harry tries to find a way to talk to Sergeant Craig. 'See those two ugly fellow over there, and that nervous looking young doctor opposite. They're all from Malbray Asylum. It'd be worth you checking out what they're all so interested in.'

Isolde casts a surreptitious glance at Crozier’s belly, wondering where he puts all that food and then says,
“Do we know if that young doctor and our two ruffians know each other? They all come from the asylum but seem very different sorts. I could ask the doctor perhaps.

“And don’t forget, Harry, we are hoping you and Melody might investigate the Blimd Begger where Captain Crozier and I followed the ruffians to in the cab. It needs someone who can impersonate a working class citizen as it is a rough place.”

“I’m sure I’ve seen a book on ciphers and symbols at the library when I was researching a haunting in Elstree once. I could see if I can track it down.”

”Perhaps we could visit the library this afternoon?” said Vic, with a smile. She remembered spending long afternoons in Lord Armstrong’s library at Cragside, wiling away the time, browsing through his collection. But then she thought of the less pleasant revelations in the Forby’s library and her mood grew more sober.

Crozier:

Crozier is still contemplating symbols. He takes a small notebook and pencil from a pocket. "What was the order of the symbols, does anyone recall?"

"I'm hopeless in libraries," says Melody, "As I recall, las' time I ended up just makin' everyone a cuppa tea.

"Per'aps that would be a good time fer me an' Harry to visit the Blind Beggar?"

"I'd like to go to the library too," says Alexander. "I believe Miss Miller mentioned that the X was first, then the square, and then the V."

OOC,By all means, discuss your plans. I’ll presume Harry is in conversation with Sgt. Craig then.

Harry,Craig looks indiscreetly at the men Harry indicates. [color=#0000FF]“What makes you think they’re connected to this, Mr. Brown?"[/color] he asks.

Harry frowns, 'Not so obviously Sergeant! Well it is all circumstantial I'll grant you. But two...I don't know, orderlies perhaps, and separately a doctor, all from the asylum, but separately visiting the inquests during working hours. And refusing to explain why when we've questioned them.' Harry brow wrinkles deeply, 'I know, I know, it's thin gruel, but I think there's something there to be discovered. Perhaps a patient has escaped from the asylum.'

Harry gives Sergeant Craig a nod and returns to his companions.

'The Sergeant says he'll ask around about the asylum but he didn't look too convinced.' He laughs at Isolde's suggestion he impersonates being working class, 'Not gonna take much pretending Miss Beauchant'. He turns to Melody, 'Appy to take yer for a few beers me dear'.

Isolde smiles at Harry, “Well I didn’t like to presume. That’s settled then, as long as there’s no inquest this afternoon, we others will spend it in the British Library I suppose. Captain, will you join us or do you have other plans? And before I forget, there was mention of a spool of thread by the body but I can’t for the life of me think of any significance.”

"Maybe the killer was getting sloppy, but I doubt we're so lucky," says Alexander. "I think that spool was left there for a reason. We just don't know what it is yet. Maybe it's a mythological reference to the threads of fate. If the thread were cut, that would be an indicator. I should be able to get us access to the Reading Room."

Crozier:

The captain smiles happily. "I should be most interested to see the inside of the British Library."

"I am keen to get a map of the city that I might draw on. Then I should like to plot the murders and the symbols used. I wonder if the library might have good maps of the city?"

Crozier:

"Perhaps I shall visit a few map-makers to find a good, detailed map of the city, then I shall come and find you at the great library?"

"What about the London Library in St James' Square?" asks Melody, "That were the place where we found details of the Alling'am Curse."

“The Guildhall Library is closer,” replied Vic. ”We could walk there if you’re minded to get some exercise?”

“I’m just trying to think of any of them have a specialist section on cryptography or the occult.” Says Isolde, ad she thinks back on her experience as a medium.

Idea,80 [dice]0[/dice]

"Either of those libraries would be good," says Alexander. "The library at the British Museum would require us to know the titles of the books we need. I'm sure they do have excellent maps, but again we'd need to know where to find them."

Crozier:

"All sound good destinations to me. I think I shall look for a cartographer still, I'm used to being able to to draw on maps. I would expect there are some good specialists on Charing Cross Road."

"Which is, of course, a short walk from The Strand, and its many fine venues such as Simpson's."

OOC,As a career sailor, Crozier might already have a good idea for the best cartographers in London anyway?

Crozier:

Crozier hails a cab for Charing Cross Road and its many bookshops, certain he can find a good map somewhere thereabouts, or someone to point him in the right direction. (He wonders what is on offer for high tea at Simpson's this afternoon...)

Crozier,[ooc]I don't have any suitable maps, but I'm sure there are plenty online.[/ooc]

Harry & Melody,Harry and Melody take the short walk to the Blind Beggar. Although it is early afternoon, there are plenty of people in the pub, many of them drunk. It is a dirty place, and the smell of spilled beer is strong. There is plenty of conversation, some shouted, some slurred. Harry and Melody don’t attract much attention, which is probably a good thing.

Alexander & Isolde & Vic,The companions flag down a carriage and set off to The City and the Guildhall Library. After a spot of lunch, they get to work, looking for books on the occult and symbolism. However, despite several exhausting hours, they are unable to find any reference to the symbols they are looking for.

Crozier:

After purchasing a suitable map, and following fortification in the form of tea and cake at Simpson's, Crozier heads to the Guildhall Library in the City. He goes looking for his colleagues, intending to sit with them and try to plot murders on the map while they research.

Harry buys a beer and a drink for Melody. He sits in a corner and tries to listen in on the conversation around him.

”This is no use,” said Vic, wearily pushing the book she was reading across the desk. “Perhaps an occultist could help us understand the symbols?”

OOC,Edited as I was labouring under the misapprehension that it had been mentioned that Isolde knew someone who could help. Sorry, Aine!

Harry nudges Melody and whispers, 'D'you think we need to be a bit more obvious, ask the barman about those rough fellas?'

“I feel sure that if those symbols are occult then we would have found a reference to them this afternoon.” Isolde says to Vic and Alexander.

“We must be barking up the wrong tree. Come on, I’m starving; shall we grab a rarebit from Simpson’s before they change to the evening menu? We can discuss what to do then. We should send a message to the others too.”
Isolde puts her books back on the shelves.

"Aye, that sounds good to me," says Alexander, already licking his lips in anticipation. "We can send telegrams to them. Would that everyone had a telephone. That would be even more convenient."

Melody surveys the clientele one more time while considering Harry's question.

Spot Hidden - Pass,Spot Hidden(60%) [dice]0[/dice]

OOC,We'll assume that the library search took a long time, whereas Melody & Harry have only been in the pub a short while. Please be patient while their thread plays out.

Melody,There doesn't seem to be anything particular strange about the clientele - it's the usual kind of folk one would see in these parts.

"Let's wait a while first, t'avoid suspicion, " whispers Melody in reply, "See if they turn up.

"If they're regulars they'll likely be along sooner or later."

Harry Luck 50%,[dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   Fail

Harry nudges Melody, 'Nice as it is avin' a drink with you in the afternoon, I think we should either call it a day and come back another time, or start asking some questions.'

"You're right," replies Melody, "Should we risk just askin' the barman if he knows them?"

OOC,Sorry, can't always post at weekend.

Harry strolls over to the bar, 'Alright mate. I'm looking for a couple of friends of mine, rough looking fellas, work at the asylum. I was hoping to meet them here later. Have you see them about?'

Harry Fast Talk 55%,[dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   How annoying is that, hard success and I was all celebratory then I saw I'd posted it in the wrong game! Re-rolled and now I've failed

ooc,[ooc]Kind of sums up our dice rolling luck in this game though.[/ooc]

Melody accompanies Harry to the bar, she waits to hear what the barman says.

The barman shrugs, looking uninterested.

“Dunno who yer talkin’ ‘bout mate”.

He nods his head towards the room.

“This place is full o’ rough lookin’ fellas. Every day and night.”

He turns away to serve another customer.

OOC,What plans do the parties have for the rest of the day? Or would you like to move on to the next day?

Crozier:

Using tea cakes on saucers to anchor it down, Crozier unfolds his map and pulls out a pencil.

"Now, where do we know murders occurred and where is this asylum?"

"First murder, an alley off Upper East Smithfield Street, near the St. Katherine Docks..."

"Second,  narrow alley off Exmouth Street."

"Third, rail yards by Aldgate Station."

"Did anyone hear anymore about another murder today?"

Vic unfolds her morning newspaper. ”I’ve not had chance to read it yet,” she said, starting to scan the headlines.

"Maybe it'll be in the evening papers," says Alexander. "We'll have to plot that murder on the map too when we get the details."

Crozier:

The Captain continues his noting. "First murder had an 'X' within a circle. Second a square within a circle. The third, a 'V' within a circle."

Harry watches the barman's back as he walks away and shares a look with Melody. 'It's getting a bit later so we might catch them at the end of a shift if we're lucky. Another hour or two and p'raps we should call it a day?'

Vic studied the marks that Crozier had made on the map. ”These two weren’t so far apart,” she said, pointing at Upper East Smithfield Street and the Aldgate Rail Yard. ”But the second one was all the way up near Clerkenwell. Quite a hike,” she said.

Melody agrees, "Yeah, if this is ther' regular pub, they'll likely turn up sooner or later."

Harry Luck 50%,[dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   Pass for a change

Harry Luck 50%,[dice]0[/dice]

OOC:   Nope

Isolde looks on over a buttered crumpet, “Yes, Exmouth St rather ruins the idea of a localised murder spree. I wonder if the symbols are related to the location or the body.”

Crozier:

"What's the address of this asylum? We should mark it down too."

Harry indicates the doctor to Melody, 'We've been made.'

"Aye, good thinking," says Alexander. "That asylum is our best lead. Perhaps our only one. We need to find out more about it. I can check the public records tomorrow."

“Forewarned is forearmed. Yes, let’s find out more about it and then maybe we can discover a way to access the sanitarium. I have thought of another way that might work but it would be last resort.” Isolde says darkly.

OOC,Is there anything the party can learn from looking at the various murder sites and the asylum's location on a map? Any obvious or not so obvious connections?

Crozier:

The captain looks aghast. "You do not mean to have yourself admitted?"

"Shall we follow him?" asks Melody, "Or see if the others still turn up?"

ooc,[ooc]I fell asleep last night with this little post half written! :oops:[/ooc]

'I followed him back to the asylum from the inquest. He wasn't very talkative' says Harry. 'I reckon we wait for the rough ones. They might be a bit more friendly after a few drinks.'

Melody nods and smiles in agreement, "We wait then."

"I think that's exactly what she means," says Alexander. "Aye, let's save that for a last resort. There must be a better way."

“It would have to be whoever I the best actor I should think but, as you say, it’s a last resort. The asylum is here, out in the marshes and a long way from the murders.” Isolde indicates to the East. “And I suppose we should mark down that ghastly inn too. Can you remember which street it was in, Captain? It was about here on the map.” She points back towards the city and moves the sugar bowl out of the way.

"That leaves me out," says Alexander. "I don't think I could convince anyone I was doolally. Besides, they've already seen me."

”It would be more than a tad risky!” said Vic. “Have any of you been inside an asylum? If someone went in, would they be free to move about inside?”

"Perhaps they're hiring on staff," says Alexander. "That would be a better way to get inside."

Crozier:

The captain grins at Isolde. "The Blind Beggar, a most salubrious establishment, I'm sure." Crozier does his best to recall its location and plot it.

"What are those other items mentioned with the various deceased? Some long hair..."

Harry takes one more look around the pub. 'Looks like we're not in luck tonight Melody, let's call it a day.'

"At least we know there's something fishy about the asylum," say's Melody, "Otherwise there's no reason for that doctor to run off.

"Now they're onto me an' all though, so I can't go sneakin' into the asylum."

“And a spool of thread was found by the last body. Which is similar to long hair, I suppose, but I can’t for the life of me think of a connection.” Says Isolde. “I suppose we should reconvene at the inquest tomorrow morning. I have my fencing tutor to meet in half an hour just off Whitfield St so I will have to hurry.”