Chapter 1

[kabukiman]

September, 4, 1933
Hotel Armst, 7AM
You are receiving a rude awakening (excet Katie, who isn't present): someone is knocking the doors like a madman and you can hear the voice of Starkweather, furious:

"Wake up, all of you!"

[Snapper]

Macduff's navy days had left him in the habit of rising and dressing both early and quickly. Already shaved and dressed but for his tie, which hung loose around his neck, he opened his door straight away. He poked his head out, fedora in one hand.

"Is it breakfast time?"

[aine]

Martin had rather a late night celebrating and sleeps soundly on. Eventually the noise wakes him and he stumbles to the door. He sticks a disheveled and bleary face out.
“What is it? Are we on fire?”

[kabukiman]

"The women that was a pilot? I need her as quick as possible! And you are the photographer, right? Prepare to take pictures as soon she arrives".
With this he leave abruptly.

[Snapper]

Macduff shoved his fedora on and headed off. "I'll see if she left an address at the lobby."

He headed down to the lobby to make enquiries regarding a contact address for Miss Wright. Or if she was in fact staying at the same hotel at her own expense.

[aine]

Martin grabs a coat over his pyjamas and his camera and trots after Macduff, wondering what sort of pictures the man was expecting.

[kabukiman]

The clerk quickly gives an adress and a phone number to Macduff.

[Snapper]

Macduff fished some small change out of a pocket and hustled over to the nearest pay phone to call Miss Wright, to summon her with all urgency back.

Or even hotel phone if there's one available for guest use.

[Mr. Handy]

Katie usually wakes up early, and she is already dressed and has just finished breakfast when she receives the phone call. "Good morning, Mr. Macduff!" she says, bright and chipper. "I'll be right there!"

[Snapper]

"I must apologise for the unsociable hour of this call but I approve of your clearly being in the habit of early rising. And I had assumed from your comments yesterday that this request would be welcome."

"I shall advise them that you are on your way and see you soon."

Macduff hung up and returned to advise the expedition leaders Miss Wright was on her way back at full speed.

[Mr. Handy]

Katie stuffs all her things into her suitcase, figuring that she's going to be staying at the expedition's hotel now that they've changed their minds about her, and brings it with her as she heads there.

[aine]

Martin, getting wind of something afoot, hurries to the hotel foyer, camera at the ready.

[kabukiman]

Starkweather says to Martin in a very brief manner:
"Make me a photo with miss Katherine as joyous as possible. And We must look very good in thisn photo!"

The clerk speaks to Macduff and says:
"I think that the gentleman is displeased with the news todays" and gives him a journal.

[Snapper]

Macduff quickly scanned the paper, looking for whatever the base news was.

[kabukiman]

"LEXINGTON SETS SIGHTS SOUTH

Blonde Beauty to Fly to Pole New York (INS)

In a startling announcement from her home in Queens today, millionaire industrialist Acacia Lexington told reporters that she intends to set aside her
ledger books in favor of seal furs and snow goggles, in an attempt to be the first woman to stand at the bottom of the world. Lexington, only child of the late P. W. Lexington of this city, has for years impressed friends and adversaries alike with her skilled maneuverings in troubled financial waters. Now she intends to venture into a new realm. Accompanied by a hand-picked team of journalists, photographers, and wilderness experts, the lovely Acacia will cross the Antarctic wastelands in a specially modified Northrop Delta aëroplane and a Cierva C-50 autogyro.
“It’s about time a woman did this,” she told our reporters. “Today’s women are capable of anything that
men can do. If I am the first, it only means that others will find it easier to follow.”
When asked if her planned expedition was in any way affected by the presence of no less than fourther parties on the Antarctic ice this summer, Miss
Lexington declined to comment."

[Snapper]

Macduff showed Martin the article in the newspaper. "It appears there is some competition for the Antarctic."

"I thought I was reasonably well read but then Miss Wright introduced me to the term aviatrix. And here's another one. What in the blazes is an auto gyro?"