Play@YSDC

Posted: **Mon Dec 07, 2020 1:48 am**

Monday 31st October, 1881, 9 am

F Francis Haberdasher’s, Wentworth St., Spitalfields

The companions meet on a sunny but cold morning at the appointed time. Sure enough, Dr. Blessing is also there, shivering in the cold, but with a determined look on his face.

They enter the tiny, dingy shop, which is cluttered with bolts of cloth, racks of thread and lace, bins of buttons, and other sundry sewing suppliers. Francis himself stands behind the counter; a tiny, wizened old man. The sudden arrival of so many people causes him to scowl in suspicion.

“Can I ‘elp ye?” he asks.

Posted: **Mon Dec 07, 2020 7:32 am**

Crozier:

Crozier greets his colleagues this morning in a dark blue nautical duffle coat, sturdy walking stick, and his captain's peaked cap. He is content to wait in the background and let someone more appropriate talk to the haberdasher.

Posted: **Mon Dec 07, 2020 10:43 pm**

Isolde looks at the others and then steps forward.
“Good morning, Mr Francis. I wonder if we could have a moment of your time? We are looking for a missing person; a woman who we believe may have spoken to your ladies or even passed through your workshop. Could we talk to your girls? Of course, we’ll try not to disrupt their work.”

Posted: **Tue Dec 08, 2020 12:09 am**

”Show him the cotton reel. See if he recognises it,” prompted Vic.

Posted: **Tue Dec 08, 2020 1:39 am**

“Workshop?” queries Francis in a high, reedy voice. “It’s just wot you see, luv. ‘Ere, you’re not looking for the same woman as the police, are you? I told ‘em, I sell dozens of bobbins ev’ry day. I can’t remember any p’ticular customer.”

Posted: **Tue Dec 08, 2020 3:14 am**

"Perhaps you might remember if you had a description of the woman," says Alexander.

Posted: **Tue Dec 08, 2020 6:04 am**

Blessing steps forward.

“She’s about twenty years old, short, thin with long brown hair and fine features. She has blue eyes.”

He blushes slightly as he gives his description.

“Sir, I see dozens of women ev’ryday” complains Francis irritably. “I can’t be expected to remember all of ‘em. 'Specially wiv my eyesight.”

“Look” he continues. “There’s a bunch of tailoring shops up Flower & Dean Walk, and more further down the street. I just sell cloth and sundries ‘ere. If you fink she might be sewing, then yer moight find ‘her there. I told them police the same thing.”

Posted: **Tue Dec 08, 2020 8:16 am**

Crozier:

Crozier steps out of the shop to find Flower and Dean Walk on his map. Every now and then, he checks the passing parade for any suspicious characters, knife-wielding nurses or the like.

Posted: **Tue Dec 08, 2020 8:37 pm**

“Thank you, Mr Francis. If you should think of anything that may help us, or see a woman of that description, please could you send us a message?” Isolde gives him a ‘Seekers of Enlightenment’ card with the Moon St address and enough coins to pay for a message boy.
“Doctor Blessing, what is the name of the young lady?” She asks before she turns and goes to stand in the street.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 1:27 am**

“I’m not prepared to divulge that yet” says Blessing apologetically. He hurries down the street, in search of the tailoring shops.

Flower and Dean Walk is a narrow alley off Wentworth Street. Together with the shops on Wentworth St., it takes some time to make enquiries. However, at most of the shops the investigators are sternly warned away. It is nearing midday when in Flower & Dean Walk they encounter a proprietor who is less surly than most. Over his shoulder, the companions can see dozens of women, some mere girls, huddled over tables and sewing machines, working on everything from men’s shorts to baby hoods.

The man sullenly listens to the description of the missing nurse. Persuaded by Blessing with a few shillings to loosen his tongue, he says:

“Ain’t no girl like tha’ ‘ere. But chances are, if she’s workin’ around ‘ere, she’ll be staying at one o’ the dosses in Thrawl or Dean Streets.”

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 4:26 am**

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 4:30 am**

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 5:15 am**

"She doesn't work nearby," says Alexander, "but why would she be shopping here if she didn't live nearby? She could take the train to work, I suppose."

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 5:45 am**

"I think the gentlemen is saying that she is likely to be staying in one of the lodging houses in this area, if she is indeed getting employment at one of these establishments" explains Blessing. "Perhaps we should conduct our searches there."

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:09 am**

Crozier:

"Very well, ladies and gentlemen, doss houses in Thrawl or Dean first?" The Captain has a cigar between his teeth and is enjoying being out in what passes for "fresh" air in the East End.

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:34 am**

'Perhaps we shouldn't all arrive mob handed, frighten her off' says Harry, 'But without the doctor we won't be able to identify her.'

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:37 am**

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:40 am**

OOC: Pass

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:42 am**

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:47 am**

Harry looks concerned, 'A dosshouse is not somewhere you just turn up and start looking around, there will be a lot of poor and desperate people. We need to tread carefully.'

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 8:35 pm**

“Perhaps if we had another good reason to visit it might help. Looking for workers for a job or for charitable reasons; an excuse to go in and meet the residents.
“Do you think we are too many, Harry?”

Posted: **Wed Dec 09, 2020 11:51 pm**

'It's not so much the numbers, although I do think there's too many of us, but also how we'd stand out' says Harry. 'P'raps Melody and me could go with the doctor. I'd say there's a few there could do with seeing a medical man.'

Posted: **Thu Dec 10, 2020 3:52 am**

"That's a good idea," says Alexander.

Posted: **Thu Dec 10, 2020 8:11 am**

”I suppose that makes sense,” said Vic. She looked over to Isolde and Crozier. ”So, what shall we three do?” she asked, before quickly holding up her hand up to the Captain. “And I don’t mean retire to your club for a drink and a meal! Rather, let’s do something useful instead!”

Posted: **Thu Dec 10, 2020 8:12 am**

Crozier:

The Captain nods emphatically. "I should be very happy if Miss Isolde and Miss Vic were not seen in such places without a very good reason. I mean no offence ladies, but it is not the kind of harm your reputations deserve."

"I suggest we wait outside discreetly and keep watch for this nurse, who may be out and about in the area, while our colleagues make enquiries inside. We have her description."

"Although," he grins at Vic, "I should be lying if I didn't admit a coffee house would be an ideal place to keep the forenoon watch. Not that I'm expecting decent coffee houses in this part of town."

Posted: **Thu Dec 10, 2020 8:11 pm**

Isolde stifles a smile. “Have you had jellied eels, Captain Crozier? I hear they are a local delicacy; I’m sure we’ll find a street seller. Good luck Melody, Harry and Dr Blessing. We’ll be patrolling these two streets.”

Posted: **Thu Dec 10, 2020 8:42 pm**

Behind Isolde’s back, Vic pulled a face. Jellied eels? She couldn’t think of much worse. Now if the vendor had some whelks, that delicacy of her native north-east, that would be a different matter, but she feared they wouldn’t be to the taste of the Londoners...

Posted: **Fri Dec 11, 2020 3:07 am**

"Aye, now that we know what she looks like, perhaps we'll see her out and about," says Alexander.

Posted: **Fri Dec 11, 2020 3:28 am**

As Alexander, Crozier, Vic and Isolde wait in the street, trying not to attract too much attention, Blessing, Harry and Melody begin their enquiries at the first lodging-house they find.

Inside the conditions are spartan and dingy. There is little furnishing, and most people seem to sleep on the floor on straw mattresses. The window is broken, and stuffed with rags to keep out the cold. The smell is of unwashed bodies and clothes, and the few denizens who are present turn and stare at the newcomers. Blessing is immediately propositioned by a young woman, and he declines in embarrassment. Another man, drunk, bangs roughly into Harry.

“Got any money?” he asks, aggressively.

Posted: **Fri Dec 11, 2020 6:00 am**

Crozier:

The Captain's eyes light up. "Miss Isolde, we are of a like mind! I have heard of your London jellied eel, but I have never tried him in truth. A famous local delicacy though. Aboard ship, we happily eat smoked eel if we can lay hands on him. Smoked victuals last a good time aboard, you see. If you notice a trustworthy jelly eel shop, I shall see we are all well provisioned."

Crozier resumes his watch for coffee houses, eel sellers and crazed nurses.

Posted: **Fri Dec 11, 2020 9:21 pm**

Isolde wrinkles her nose daintily and deigns to comment.
“Vic, shall we perambulate up and down as if shopping and keep our eyes and ears open. We’ll stay within sight of the gentlemen in case of trouble.”

Posted: **Fri Dec 11, 2020 10:48 pm**

Harry looks him straight in the eye, 'Fraid not mate...unless you can help my friend here. You can find the particular lady he's looking for there's a shilling in it for you.'

Posted: **Sat Dec 12, 2020 4:41 am**

"Aye, I'd be willing to try jellied eels," says Alexander. "Ye certainly have an adventuresome palate, Captain Crozier. Have ye ever tried haggis?"

Posted: **Sat Dec 12, 2020 5:11 am**

The man stares stupidly as Blessing describes the errant nurse.

Posted: **Sat Dec 12, 2020 6:24 am**

Crozier:

Dr Campbell's question prompts a bark of genuine laughter from the Captain. "The 'great chieftain of the pudding race'? Why sir, with forty years at sea, I have sailed with more Scots than I've had hot breakfasts. Yours is a kingdom of great seafarers. And they have all insisted on a haggis dinner sooner or later in the wardroom, when such was available, and which I was happy to share in. Tis a warming meal in cold weather at sea."

Posted: **Sat Dec 12, 2020 6:46 pm**

"Aye, it can get cold in Scotland too, especially in winter," says Alexander with a smile. "We value haggis for the warmth it provides."

Posted: **Sun Dec 13, 2020 9:40 am**

OOC: Nowhere near

Posted: **Sun Dec 13, 2020 3:33 pm**

The man staggers a little. He is obviously too drunk to register what Blessing is saying. He pokes his finger into Harry’s chest, hard, and fixes him with a menacing glare.

“Give us sum munny, mate.”

Posted: **Sun Dec 13, 2020 4:24 pm**

Anticipating imminent conflict Harry decides to take decisive action and grabs the drunk's hand by the wrist and twists it into a painful hold. 'I wouldn't do that, mate.'

Posted: **Sun Dec 13, 2020 11:51 pm**

Vic was about to reply to Isolde when the drunk poked Harry in his chest. She took Isolde’s arm and pulled her gently back. If a fight was about to break out, she didn’t want either of them in the middle of it!

Posted: **Mon Dec 14, 2020 12:38 am**

OOC: No offence but Doc Campbell, Vic, Isolde, and Crozier are all outside, not where Harry is, so can't see the lads in a hot and sweaty embrace. And if only one of us could make a luck roll, might have made sense for it to be the one with the best luck roll...

Posted: **Mon Dec 14, 2020 12:53 am**

Alexander looks around, but he doesn't see their quarry.

Posted: **Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:28 am**

The drunk moans in pain as he sinks to his knees. The other residents of the doss observing this exchange look away.

“Perhaps we should try somewhere else” Blessing stammers. He backs out the door.

The trio attempt some other lodgings. At most of them, they are greeted by similar sights and smells, with reactions ranging from indifference to outright hostility from the residents.

Posted: **Mon Dec 14, 2020 2:10 am**

OOC: Yes please!

Posted: **Mon Dec 14, 2020 5:27 am**

Eventually, though, they encounter some luck.

At the last lodging house, an older woman recalls sometimes seeing a young woman matching Blessing’s description.

“That sounds like Annie. She’s a midwife.”

Blessing gives a start at hearing the name.

“Annie? How do you know she’s a midwife?”

“She ‘ad blood on ‘er one time” replies the woman. “Said she’d bin delivering a baby.”

A younger girl who has been overhearing the conversation speaks up.

“That’s Crazy Annie, and she ain’t no midwoife. She’s a tart, does sum sewing on the side.”

The two women begin arguing, while the colour has drained from Blessing’s face. He puts his hand against the grime-smeared wall to steady himself.

Posted: **Mon Dec 14, 2020 8:26 pm**

“I don’t see any women that match the doctor’s description.” Says Isolde, scanning the street. “I could attempt to draw the nurse and then we could post the pictures up offering a reward. But maybe that would scare her off.”

Posted: **Tue Dec 15, 2020 12:28 am**

'That sounds like our lady' says Harry with a smile, he takes out a shilling but doesn't hand it over yet. 'Any idea where we might find Annie? Oh, and why is she called crazy?

Posted: **Tue Dec 15, 2020 2:39 am**

"Nor I," says Alexander. "You're right, it could scare her off. Better to make discreet inquiries, but the drawing could help there."

Posted: **Tue Dec 15, 2020 2:53 am**

The women are intent on their argument. Before they can notice Harry’s offer, Blessing takes his arm and pulls him towards the door, beckoning Melody to follow.

“Not here” he says.

Posted: **Tue Dec 15, 2020 10:27 pm**

Harry steps outside with Blessing, 'What are you doing man? These women could point us towards finding your Crazy Annie.' Harry is already starting to regret making deals with this doctor, he is clearly in over his head, dangerously sweet on someone he cannot possibly understand. He suspects this will all end in tears and recriminations for everyone.

Posted: **Wed Dec 16, 2020 1:16 am**

Blessing shakes his head.

“If she’s staying here, she’ll come back eventually. If we ask too many questions, someone might warn her off. I will stay and watch the street. Besides, you're only asking questions to which I already know the answers.”

He turns and walks back to the main street and the other group of investigators.

Posted: **Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:34 am**

"Ye shouldna stay here alone," says Alexander when he hears the plan. "It's too dangerous. There must be somewhere the rest of us can wait out of sight."

Posted: **Wed Dec 16, 2020 3:47 am**

“We could take shifts” says Blessing. He looks around.

“There’s a tea shop. Some can wait in there while the others stand here.”

Posted: **Wed Dec 16, 2020 6:25 am**

Crozier:

"Any tea shop in a storm, as we say aboard ship. I shall be happy to take first watch on the street though."

Posted: **Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:17 am**

“Dr Blessing, would it help if I tried to sketch Annie? Then we would have a better idea of who to look out for? We could do it in the tea shop while we wait.” Says Isolde.

Posted: **Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:33 am**

Blessing hesitates briefly, then nods assent.

"Certainly, if you have the materials. Thank you for waiting, Captain."

Blessing leads the way to the tea shop, which is warm and inviting after the cold street.

Posted: **Wed Dec 16, 2020 10:28 am**

Crozier:

The Captain nods, looking happy enough to be doing something useful. "Not a problem. Standing around in the cold is something I'm rather expert at." He resumes his watch of the street.

Posted: **Wed Dec 16, 2020 12:18 pm**

Melody keeps watch with the Captain.

Posted: **Wed Dec 16, 2020 7:55 pm**

“I used to teach sketching and water colours when I was a governess.” Isolde says as they enter the tea room and find a table by the window, if possible.

“I only have my notebook but it should suffice. Now, Dr Blessing, I’ll draw whilst you describe Annie to me. And we’ll try for a credible likeness between us. I’ll have a rarebit and tea when the waitress comes, please.” She settles down to draw.

Posted: **Thu Dec 17, 2020 12:44 am**

Vic attracts the waitresses attention and orders pots of tea, Isolde’s rarebit and a plate of cakes. As Dr. Blessing describes their quarry and Isolde sketches, she keeps an eye on what is happening in the street.

Posted: **Thu Dec 17, 2020 12:48 am**

Harry keeps watch with Melody and the Captain. 'What do you two think of this Blessing? Playing his cards close to his chest, that's for sure.'

Posted: **Thu Dec 17, 2020 1:16 am**

As the afternoon wears on, Blessing describes his nurse in detail, and Isolde is able to provide a picture which he describes as an excellent likeness.

Posted: **Thu Dec 17, 2020 2:28 am**

"Aye, an excellent picture," says Alexander. "I'll know if I see her." He sips his tea while watching the street.

Posted: **Thu Dec 17, 2020 8:04 pm**

“Thank you.” Says Isolde looking at the finished drawing as she eats her rarebit. “She’s quite a pretty thing. Now, as soon as we’ve eaten we should exchange places; I think I can hear the Captain’s stomach rumbling from here!”
Although she doesn’t say, Isolde will privately make another copy of the drawing In case the first one goes astray.

Posted: **Thu Dec 17, 2020 9:49 pm**

Vic leaned in and watched as Isolde sketched, trying to commit the face to memory, should they come across Annie.

Posted: **Thu Dec 17, 2020 9:59 pm**

Posted: **Fri Dec 18, 2020 12:40 am**

Posted: **Sat Dec 19, 2020 3:12 am**

After a couple of hours, the watchers are replaced by Blessing, Isolde and Vic, and Melody, Crozier and Harry retire to the tea house.

Posted: **Sat Dec 19, 2020 4:31 am**

Now that he knows what Annie looks like, Alexander will know her if he sees her. Unfortunately, he doesn't.

Posted: **Sat Dec 19, 2020 6:43 am**

After a couple of hours standing in the cold with no sign of their quarry, a depressed-looking Blessing says;

“I need to get back to Malbray I’m afraid. Will your group remain to see if she turns up?”

The sun has almost gone down and evening is drawing in. The temperature has dropped considerably.

Posted: **Sat Dec 19, 2020 2:54 pm**

'We might be able to stay for another hour' says Harry, turning up his collar, 'but it's getting cold, I wouldn't want to hang around too long.'

Posted: **Sat Dec 19, 2020 11:35 pm**

"Aye, it will be too cold to spend the night here," says Alexander. "We can perhaps wait a little longer, but I don't think we can make it until morning. She may be out...hunting now, in which case it's too late to stop her for tonight. What if we all return shortly before dawn? That way, we should see her when she leaves for the day. What time does her shift start?"

Posted: **Sun Dec 20, 2020 9:21 am**

Crozier:

The Captain has had his fair share of dodgy meals over the years and is somewhat wary of anything coming out of the East End. He settles on just a cup of coffee (to which a discreet slug of whisky is added from a hip flask) and a slice of cake.

"I'm happy to stay another hour or two, looking for this nurse."

Posted: **Sun Dec 20, 2020 3:31 pm**

Blessing nods.

“Thank you for your help” he says earnestly. “I will return as early as possible, and although transportation limits me to how early I can be back here, I will be here tomorrow.”

He tips his hat and leaves.

Posted: **Sun Dec 20, 2020 8:42 pm**

Annie still does not return.

Posted: **Mon Dec 21, 2020 12:14 am**

“Is there anywhere else we might look?” asked Vic, pulling a scarf around her shoulders to ward off the chill. “It seems this Annie is somewhat illusive.”

Posted: **Mon Dec 21, 2020 12:57 am**

Crozier:

"Well, I believe I shall commence a search at my club, mostly for dinner and port. Until the morning, brave Seekers." Crozier taps his top hat with the tip of his walking stick and heads off to hail a cab.

Posted: **Mon Dec 21, 2020 11:15 pm**

Isolde shows everyone the drawing so that they all know Annie.
“Goodnight everyone, I’ll share a cab back to Piccadilly if you want a lift in that direction.”

Posted: **Mon Dec 21, 2020 11:16 pm**

”I shouldn’t imagine he’ll have much luck looking for her there...” said Vic dryly, as she watched the retreating Crozier.

Posted: **Tue Dec 22, 2020 1:25 am**

Play@YSDC

Chapter 9: October 31st

Chapter 9: October 31st

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