Play@YSDC

The Steadmans' House - London, England
8:00 AM - Tuesday, September 10, 1940

Anna pulled up on the street near the Steadmans' house. The blackout curtains were still over the windows, so it was impossible to tell at glance if the lights were on or anyone was home.

Archie ponders. "I could simply march up to the front door - to tell them that Mrs Exeter is being taken back to the hospital."

"Or, some of us could chat with the neighbours, in that they've seen anything new. I believe some of our friends have had some success with the neighbours?"

"Perhaps we should do both?"

'I've met Mrs Steadman before and she knows I work for the sanatorium. Perhaps I could come with you to make an official visit?' says Anna. 'And if she is not in, well, the last time we were here I had reservations about breaking and entering, now I have no such compunction'.

Anna and Archie approached the front door and knocked. A minute later, Madeline Steadman opened the door, wearing a housecoat. "Good morning, Doctor," she said. "What brings you here?"

Anna glances at Archie and takes a deep breath, 'Mrs Steadman, I am glad you are home. Is your husband here? He might wish to hear our news as well'.

She waits a few moments for her to call Major Steadman if she wishes.

'May I introduce the Reverend Pennyfeather he is...our occasional chaplain at the sanatorium and takes a keen interest in the welfare of our patients and their families. We rushed over as soon as we were able as I know you will have been quite sick with worry with your mother missing. I wanted to give you the good news that she has been found safe and well and returned to the sanatorium.

OOC,I don't think I'd need to roll Fast Talk or similar since this is basically true

Anna pauses to gauge the Steadmans' reactions to the news.

Anna Psychology: 75,[dice]0[/dice]

Madeline's eyes widened with surprise. "That's wonderful news!" she said, embracing Anna in a hug. "My husband's at the airbase now, but he'll be happy to hear she's been found. Thank you, Doctor! You're sure she hasn't been hurt? Take me to her, I want to see her right away!"

Anna Jerkins,[b]Madeline[/b] seemed genuinely happy that her mother had been found.

OOC,[b]Archie[/b] (and [b]Benjamin[/b] if you also approach the door), you may roll Psychology as well.

Benjamin, who had been quietly observing the surroundings, intently observes Madeline to try and get a handle on her...

Psychology 40%,[dice]0[/dice]

Archie, aware that he is once again in the presence of the enemy, has been studying Madeline closely...

Psychology 80%,[dice]0[/dice]

Anna, touched by Madeline Steadmans obvious concern for her mother, lays a hand on her arm. 'While Mrs Exeter is physically unharmed I am afraid she was somewhat...well agitated when she was found. Making some quite strange assertions I am told and I suspect her mental health may have deteriorated. I believe she required sedation to bring her back to the sanatorium. I do not think you would be able to see her this morning but perhaps by tomorrow she would be able to receive visitors'.

"I see," said Madeline, looking crestfallen. "Well, I'll come by tomorrow, then. Thank you for bringing me the good news, Doctor. Is there anything else you need?"

"Air base?" Says Archie, looking interested. "As you can see, I'm a sailor myself but one only has to watch the fighting over our heads daily to see the courage of the RAF. May I ask which airbase?" He smiles amicably.

OOC:   Wow, we really aced that psych roll.

"RAF Biggin Hill," said Madeline. This was the RAF base southeast of London.

Archie, while chatting, takes the opportunity to study Madeline and the house. Is there anything unusual about either? No strange and unwholesome smells or sounds wafting from deeper inside the premises?

The house and Madeline looked perfectly normal. Nothing at all seemed amiss.

OOC,You may all roll Idea.

Benjamin furrowed his brow...

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

Archie and Benjamin,It occurred to [b]Archie[/b] and [b]Benjamin[/b] that [b]Madeline[/b] had been prepared to run off to the asylum to see her mother, which, with her husband also absent, would have left the house vacant.

Archie,If [b]Anna[/b] hadn't told [b]Madeline[/b] that she had to wait until tomorrow, she would have left the house right now. Of course, if she were to change her mind, she could give [b]Madeline[/b] a ride to the sanitarium, which would leave [b]Archie[/b] and/or [b]Benjamin[/b] free to remain behind and explore the house, provided they made some plausible-sounding excuse not to be going back with [b]Anna[/b].

Archie turns to Anna, looking beneficent. "I say, Doc, it would be a very Christian act to give this lady a lift back to the sanitarium with you now. Duty calls for me now I'm afraid, come what may, I will be walking to the nearest underground station to make my way back to Barts by the shortest route. And those poor patients in need of my assistance."

"So you shall have plenty of room in your lovely automobile. And I'm sure all good daughters would seek to go to their mother's aid. Even to be by Mrs Exeter's bedside as she sleeps under sedation today would I have no doubt be beneficial to both mother and daughter."

Anna looks back at Archie and narrows her eyes. She can see that he intends to draw Mrs Steadman out of her house but she is also conflicted by her professional knowledge that Mrs Exeter is likely to be quite sedated still and the effect that could have on her daughter. At the back of her mind she is also worried what her reaction will be when her mother comes round and tells the Steadmans what has happened today. 'Well, I mean...well I could take Mrs Steadman to the sanatorium if that is what she wants to do. As I said, Mrs Exeter is likely to still be quite sedated so it may take her some time to be lucid. I do appreciate how distressing this all is and I completely understand if you want to be by your mother's side'.

OOC,Probably not a good idea to have Anna go alone with Mrs Steadman so maybe Benjamin could come along. Anna could return after dropping Mrs Steadman.

"Oh, could you?" said Madeline. "Thank you, Doctor! It'll only take me a few minutes to get dressed. I'll be right back." She closed the front door.

"Excellent!" whipsers Benjamin conspiratorily. "We'll have the place all to ourselves!"

Once Madeline has disappeared inside and closed the door, Archie nods approvingly to Anna. "Well, I'm off. Benjamin, will you walk to the underground with me or travel with the good doctor?"

OOC:   Archie plans to start walking in the right direction but be in a position to see the others leave in Anna's car.

"To the underground it is!" Benjamin says loudly, but planning to retrace his steps as soon as the coast is clear.

After Archie and Benjamin headed south down the street, Madeline emerged from the house wearing a black dress that was fashionable a year ago. With rationing in effect, it was more difficult to obtain stylish clothing, though this was probably something she had owned before the war.

Rather alarmed at being left alone with Mrs Steadman, Anna makes nervous small talk and quickly ushers her into the car, driving a little too fast back to the sanatorium.

Once Archie sees Anna's car drive out of sight, he turns to Benjamin. "Back to the house old son, let's see what we can find out."

"Yes, now that we have the place to ourselves, let's go and try to find a way in! I guess hoping that the front door is unlocked would be too much to ask?" Benjamin says.

Archie shrugs as he trudges back. "Breaking into homes isn't really my forte but I rather suspect people as paranoid as this family don't leave their doors unlocked. I'm thinking we start at the back, but act like we belong here."

OOC,[b]Archie[/b] and [b]Benjamin[/b] are moving to the thread linked below:

Amateur Burglars

OOC,[b]Anna[/b] is moving to the thread linked below:

The Drive