Play@YSDC

"That detective you know," Emily says to Alice and Harrison, "Detective Harden, right? Could you get anything out of him, maybe?"

"We can see," says Alice. "He might also be able to get us access."

“I saw a film recently where the girl pretended to be the chap’s sister. She got into a right muddle further along but it was a good lark to start with. Can’t remember what it was called though.” Says Fort trying to be helpful.

"Maybe we should stick to the truth," says Alice. "I'd rather avoid right muddles."

“I’m inclined to agree,” said Bruce. ”Leastways, I can’t be seen to be mis-representing the University if it goes wrong. Let’s try your Lieutenant Harden first.”

"He's probably still at the scene by the river," says Alice. "We should try the asylum first, since we're in town now. If they won't let us see Henry Atwater, then we can talk to Detective Harden."

“Fair enough,” replied Bruce. He was aware of the asylum but, until now, had not any reason to visit the large, brooding building. He understood the need for such institutions, but hoped to God he would never end up in one. To be locked away, unable to go out and explore the great outdoors would be purgatory for him.

The investigators decide to head for Arkham Sanatarium, after a stop for lunch.

At that dark, brooding building, they ask admittance to Henry Atwater, and are asked to wait. Presently they are greeted by the sight of the imposing figure of Dr. Hardstrom, head of the asylum, who is curious as to their business.

”May I ask your relationship to Mr. Atwater?” he asks.

“Thank you for seeing us, Dr Hardstrom,” said Bruce. “I am Professor Bruce Patterson of Miskatonic University. Mr Atwater is one of our students.”


“He was camping with another student when an incident took place and that student was killed. We are working with the police to try to determine what happened.”

Fort tries to hide behind the others, he too is very uncomfortable here and he tries not to start every time there’s a shout or groan from the far-off inmates.

"And I'm Alice Stanton," says Alice. "We found the remains of the other student, as well as a living man who was buried underneath him. You can check with Detective Harden when he gets back. He knows us. He's probably still out there."

"I do hope he's going to get better. I'm sure what happened was a shock to him but seeing his friends from school aught to cheer him up a bit." Harrison offers.

Hardstrom rubs his chin thoughtfully.

”Yes, it might help” he muses. Turning to Patterson, he asks,

“Are you a professor of Medicine, by chance?”

Henry had up tot his point stayed silent hoping they'd get to meet with Atwater. He seemed to be the key to this mystery. But when Hardstrom asks his question, he can't help but to interject.

"I'm a graduate student in medicine. I have stellar grades and would be happy to offer any assistance in this matter and my old friend Henry."

Hardstrom brightens when hearing this news.

”Good, good” he says. “Well, seeing some familiar faces might help. He’s been mostly incoherent since he was brought in yesterday. We had him sedated this morning, but suspended it to see if his memory had started to return.”

He begins walking; the companions will need to catch him up.

“The police are with him now.”

Hardstrom opens a corridor door and gestures the companions through. Up ahead, a heavyset man with the look of a police detective is leaving a room up ahead.

“Thats the room. I’ll give you ten minutes; I don’t want to exert him.”

The policeman is heading towards them.

Bruce looked at Henry. “I believe that question was addressed to me, Mr Appleton,” he said dryly. Turning to Hardstrom, he replied, “Regretfully not. I teach Natural History.”

As the policeman approached, he said, “Excuse me, officer. I’m Professor Patterson from the University. Mr Atwater is one of our students. Has he said anything about what happened?”

"And I'm Alice Stanton," says Alice again. "I'm a friend of Detective Harden."

Having been given permission to go to Henry Atwater's room, Emily tries to sidle along the right door rather than get caught up with the police detective (which she's pretty sure will be counting towards our time).

Like Emily, Harrison will bypass the policeman and head straight to Henry's room.