Chapter 2: A Question of Identity

[HoneyDog]

Tuesday, April 2nd, 1929

9am

Arkham, Massachusetts

The investigators awaken to another fine morning in Arkham. Today however, their thoughts are preoccupied with the mystery surrounding the death of Richard Cardigan. Alice is given permission to keep on the case – the university is reeling due to the murder, which was announced in that mornings papers.

Emily and Henry make enquiries as to missing persons, but are unable to come up with any leads. Nothing is reported in the newspapers.
At the hospital, the companions find Detective Stuckey already in attendance, consulting the doctor who turns out to be treating the mysterious man found on the riverbank.

Stuckey nods a greeting.

“Have you heard?” he asks.

[Philulhu]

”Have we heard what, Detective?” asked Bruce.

[HoneyDog]

Stuckey absently takes out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket, but then realizes where he is and puts it back.

“Atwater skipped. Yesterday evening. Would any of you know anything about that?”

He glances around the group, watching how the companions react.

[Philulhu]

Bruce was genuinely surprised. ”Skipped as in bailed out?” he asked. “He didn’t look in any fit state to me!”

[HoneyDog]

Stuckey shrugs.

“Nonetheless, he’s gone. Guess he was faking it, huh. How well do you know the guy?”

[Starspawn338]

"I don't know Atwater that well but he was definitely off when we saw him yesterday. I would venture to say that in his altered state of mind, he is probably still a danger to himself." Harrison replies. "I do hope he turns up again soon."

[Silver Priest]

"How did he escape?" Henry asks. "He did seem not himself."

[SunlessNick]

"I didn't know him at all," Emily says, "but I would sworn he wasn't up to going anywhere."

OOC,She's been completely honest about that.

"It makes it more important than ever to try and get something out of this other man."

[Philulhu]

”He was a member of the debating society at the University but outside of that, I hardly know anything about him,” said Bruce.

[HoneyDog]

Stuckey nods.

“Well, we checked his home, and he hasn’t been there. If you hear from him, let us know.”

He sighs.

“I thought you might want to talk to this guy. That’s okay, but we’ll be in the room.”

“Only for a short time” says the Doctor sternly. “He’s very weak, suffering from shock, dehydration, exposure and just general exhaustion. He has a severely deformed spine, and is highly delusional.”

[Mr. Handy]

"What form does his delusion take, Doctor?" asks Alice.

[HoneyDog]

"He thinks he is Richard Atwater" the doctor replies.

"That's all we've managed to get out of him so far" Stuckey continues. "He doesn't match anyone who's been reported missing locally, so who he is and how he got in that hole is a mystery."

"What I find even more mysterious is how he could have survived in there" the doctor tells him. "He was buried, and underwater? Incredible!"

He shakes his head.

"Would you like to see him now?

[aine]

Fort walks into the room as directed by the doctor. As he passes he asks,
“Excuse me, Doctor. If the man has a deformed spine will he be able to walk again?”

[Philulhu]

A bit bewildered by the turn of events, Bruce enters the room.

”Mr Atwater - do you know who I am?” he asked the man.

[Silver Priest]

"Fascinating," Henry mutters, also heading into the room. He decides to play along, for now.

"Hello Henry." He tells the man. "What can you tell us about how you came to be here?"

OOC:   I'm starting to think I should have given my character a different name.

[SunlessNick]

Emily has thought and asks the same question as Bruce - "Henry, do you know me?" - as the real Atwater would not, but a fake one might pretend to.

[Starspawn338]

As it appears that there are lots of questions being directed to the patient, Harrison will hang back in the room and just listen to the responses.

[HoneyDog]

The wasted, emaciated figure is propped up in bed. He looks ancient, and very, very tired.

As the companions enter and speak, he slowly opens his eyes and looks around at them.

“Henry Appleton?” he says weakly. “And you’re Professor Patterson. Nice to see you.”

He closes his eyes again.

Henry, This sounds more like the Atwater you know.

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm Alice Stanton," says Alice. "I don't think you know me, but you may have heard of me. I'm one of the ones that found and rescued you. I'm here to help, if I can. Can you please tell us what happened and how you ended up in that hole?"

[HoneyDog]

However, the figure in the bed doesn't stir again. After a quick examination, the doctor ushers everyone out of the room.

"Well, he seems to know some of you" says Stuckey, once they are outside. The doctor remains in the room.

"Who is he?"