January 12 - Milano - A night at the opera

[aine]

Clarence sits uncomfortably throughout the performance. He enjoys the historical significance but he can’t help but feel those four men are there to guard them. He is rather surprised when instead they leap up and head to the stage.
“We’ll never prevail against those gentlemen, they look like consummate professionals in their field!” He exclaims in a furious whisper.

[Mr. Handy]

Felicity doesn't want to miss the performance either, but she is determined not to let them get away with it. "We outnumber them," Felicity whispers back, "and we're armed. Or at least I am." She looks at the men to see if they look like they have any concealed weapons.

[Mephistophilis]

Andrew has been spending the whole performance somewhat distracted as he looks for an opportunity to sneak back stage. With Faccia's shouted commands he is first to his feet, shaking off the rapture of the performance and the unsettling familiarity of that voice. He doesn't draw his concealed pistol but he brushes it with his hand for reassurance. Then he sprints after the three men, keeping back enough to get a sense as to what their objective is, but strongly suspecting they're after that marble torso.

OOC:   Do we recognise any of these men? And are they armed? Is there a way up to the stage or are they going backstage?

[Mr. Handy]

Felicity follows Andrew, also aware of her own concealed pistol but not yet making a move for it.

[aine]

“Oh dear, oh dear.” Clarence excuses himself past all the people in the row and follows his friends at a slower pace. “We’ll be arrested at this rate.” He mutters.

[SaintMeerkat]

After suddenly being thrown into the ghost train fighting zombies, Archie hasn't ventured anywhere without at least one type of weapon hidden somewhere. He was expecting trouble tonight, so he has his pistol and a small knife sheathed inside his left thigh.

He sighs sadly at Toscanini and slips after the others.

[Mr. Handy]

"Handcuffs would be a novel fashion accessory," says Felicity. "Don't worry, though, I can sweet talk my way out of trouble."

[aine]

Clarence only has his cosh, which he carries always; ever since that time in Marrakesh with a certain dealer in antiquities…

[robertod]

Aida


Arturo Faccia


Map


The three men run down the aisle towards the backstage. The investigators recognize them as the group of men who were with Arturo Faccia at the entrance to the theatre. Their way of dressing, their bossy and shady posture. They have nothing in hand, but they walk keeping one hand in thepocket. They do this with ease, as if they had already done it in other situations. They are gangsters. Similar to those that were found dead in Mario Conti's shed, when the group was investigating Spinola's death. Faccia has also got up and is running together with the three men towards the backstage. The audience looks at them confused, curious and a little frightened.

Meanwhile, the investigators are heading down the corridor to follow the gangsters. At this point, they notice that another figure has risen among the audience and is following the gangsters towards the back stage. She wears a long black dress, a brown scarf that covers his forehead and hair. Another dark purple scar covers the face. She is a short, thin figure and appears to move jitterily and with difficulty.
The curtain closes for the end of the act. The audiance applauds and many look away from the runners.

[Mr. Handy]

On a hunch, Felicity speaks to the mysterious woman as they follow the gangsters: "Caterina, is that you?"

[Mephistophilis]

Andrew continues to follow the gangsters, but keeping his distance and not drawing his weapon. He keeps his eyes open for any chance to take a side door or any other route that might allow him to slip ahead of them.

[SaintMeerkat]

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Archie waits with bated breath for the mysterious woman's answer. It never would have occurred to Archie, but Felicity might be onto something.

[aine]

Clarence hurries on. He keeps his eyes focused on Andrew and follows him down the aisle.

[robertod]

The faster way to follow the gangsters is to reach the side corridor where they are currently moving. As Andrew and Clarence pass the last few chairs and get there, they see Faccia and his men running all the way down the hall, until they get to a door at the side of the stage. The door is open but it is guarded by a young security man. The man steps aside to let the group pass, soon after Faccia glares at him. When Clarence and Andrew follow, the man stops them and talks to them sheepishly. He speaks Italian, but once realizing that Andrew and Clarence are English, he repeats the sentence in English, without much difficulty:

"Sorry gentlemen, but backstage access is restricted to authorized pople only. Please, return to your seat. The show is not over."

Fifty feet back, the mysterious figure is also approaching, but she is stopped by Felicity and Archie. She is a woman. Her face is still covered by a scarf. With a sudden and almost instinctive movement, she lifts the scarf that about to fall, as to keep the coverage. Her eyes are wide open. Her body is shaking. The woman gives Felicity and Clarence a brief glance, but she immediately moves with the intention to make her way towards the door that leads to the backstage.

The shape of her eyes maybe look familiar, but it's hard to tell as long as she keeps part of her face covered.

The woman is very emotionally shaken. She seems to be very determined to do something of vital importance, regardless of anything else around her. Her skin is very dry and worn. The woman is young, but she seems to have passed through a condition that has made her body suffer a lot.

Meanwhile, the movement of people along the corridor, still in the middle of the show, is calling the attention of the nearby audience. A buzz of low voices begins to rise.

[Mr. Handy]

"Let's go together," says Felicity, keeping pace with her.

[Mephistophilis]

Giving a sympathetic smile, Andrew says, 'Young man. We both know I saw you let Senor Faccia and his goons through. My colleagues and I are assisting the police with their work and I'm quite sure you wouldn't want to interfere us preventing a crime being committed.'

OOC:   He has Reassurance 2

[SaintMeerkat]

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Archie chimes in. "And preventing opera property from being destroyed."

Then he pushes past the man and joins Felicity and the girl.

[aine]

“We’ve spoken to Senor Toscanini.” Clarence adds.

Clarence has a credit rating of 4, if that helps- at all

[Mephistophilis]

OOC:   Andrew has Credit Rating 5!

[aine]

Well, Clarence is a member of both the Athenaeum and the Oriental.