IC - Day 3 - Monday Morning Blues

[Mephistophilis]

Morrison looks a bit nonplussed, 'Ah yes, well, I am not the tidiest but I am sure Madame Orelle has things in hand.'

Placing his hand on Laurent's shoulder, Mendoza gives a sort of wry smile and says, 'Mr Morrison's room was in a darn sight better condition than Mr Henninger's!'

[Mr. Handy]

Laurent nods. "Have you seen Monsieur Henninger lately?" he asks Morrison.

[Mephistophilis]

'Mr Henninger, why yes, I think I saw him somewhere this morning. We exchanged pleasantries. What is all this about young man?' he asks.

[Mr. Handy]

"He seems to be missing," says Laurent, "and his room was in a similar state to yours, only worse. Where did you see him last?"

[Mephistophilis]

'Ah, no, Mr Henninger was only here a few hours ago. And his room, well, he's not the tidiest man I must say. He's probably somewhere in the hotel grounds I'm sure.'

[Mr. Handy]

"Have you seen Ti-Jean Lazaire today?" asks Laurent.

[Mephistophilis]

'Ti-Jean the cook? No, I haven't seen him today,' he says. Then adds conspiratorially, 'Between you and me I don't miss him. His food was always too strongly flavoured, reeking of garlic!'

[Mr. Handy]

"Merci," says Laurent. "Maybe we can find him in the kitchen."

[Mephistophilis]

'You could do, but I must say, the food today has been a whole lot better, he might not be in.'

[Mr. Handy]

"Well, somebody must be, if there's food," says Laurent, "and whoever it is may know why he isn't there and where he is."

[Mephistophilis]

They say goodbye to Morrison and Mendoza leads Laurent to the kitchens. They're towards the back of the hotel building and he can smell it and hear it well before he catches sight of the cramped, steam-filled room, pans and utensils clanging, unintelligible shouts back and forth, the pungent smell of rich food. There are several people bustling about the kitchen but a harassed looking woman seems to be in charge and she rushes over. 'Wi Docteur Mendoza, how can I help? We are really very busy with Ti-Jean sick today.'

[Mr. Handy]

"We came here looking for him." says Laurent. "Do you know where he is, and what kind of illness he has?"

[Mephistophilis]

'I am not sure. I presume he is at home. Someone sent a message. I can't recall who it was, it was passed onto me. From Monsieur Henninger maybe? Oui, oui, from Monsieur Henninger.'

[Mr. Handy]

"We're looking for Monsieur Henninger too," says Laurent. "Do you know where we might find him?"

[Mephistophilis]

She huffs and puffs, looking around her at the organised chaos in the kitchen, with chefs rushing back and forth with steaming pans. 'Monsieur Henninger? Well, is he not in his office, or maybe somewhere...' Then she starts gesticulating, pointing over Laurent's shoulder.

'There, there he is. Monsieur Henninger, Monsieur Henninger!'

Looking behind him, Laurent sees the sweaty figure of Paul Henninger.

[Mr. Handy]

Laurent turns around. "We were just looking for you, Monsiuer Henninger," he says. "Do you know what happened to your room?"

[Mephistophilis]

Henninger has a haunted, driven look. He splutters at Laurent's question then manages to answer. 'Je suis désolé, but I have become, well, something of a slob. A long way from when I played international football, non?'

OOC:   I've managed to lose the picture I had of Henninger, I had to find a new one.

[Mr. Handy]

"I thought someone else did that to your room," says Laurent. "We can help you, but you need to open up to us. Do you know where Ti-Jean Lazaire is, and what's wrong with him?"

[Mephistophilis]

'Non, non, just me,' he shrugs. 'And Ti-Jean, one of the cleaning staff passed on a message this morning. She said that he was sick and wouldn't be in today. I expect he's at home but I don't know what's wrong with him.'

[Mr. Handy]

"Which member of the cleaning staff told you?" asks Laurent.