Act III (a): 'At the Zoological Gardens'

[carnage_lee]

Nellie pauses at the top of the steps, "Well that was interesting and adds more information that we need to impart to our fellows." She observes the three workmen as they try to open a sewer lid. "I saw those men as we alighted from our cab, I didn't say anything at the time but I rather fancied that they were with two gentlemen of out acquaintance." Nellie uses the vantage point of being at the top of the steps to peer up and down Fleet Street trying to locate wither Wellington or Klevendon.

"Can you see where they are at all, Richard?" Nellie asks.

Spoiler:

carnage_lee rolled 8d6:
5, 1, 1, 1, 1, 4, 6, 4

[Priest]

Spoiler:

No matter how hard you look you can see no sign of the others on the street.

[carnage_lee]

OOC:   I kind of guessed that... tragic fail of a roll

[Priest]

OOC:   I kind of guessed that... tragic fail of a roll

OOC:   On the contrary 4 successes is a good roll, trust me if they were on the street you would have seen them

[Papa Gateau]

Roxborough scans the street "No I don't see them Nellie. However, I'm certain that they were talking to the men by the manhole cover. Perhaps they know where they have gone. Let's go and see shall we?"

[Priest]

"Bleeding hell this work has ta be worth more than a poxy guinea?" Suddenly aware of your presence, and especialy that of a woman, the one speaking turns a shade of red, snatches his cap from his head, "Beggin your pardon ma'am, di'n't see you there"

It appears from the amount of perspiration flowing from the threes foreheads that removal of the heavy iron sewer lid has proved particularly difficult, "'ow may we be of assistance?"

[carnage_lee]

Nellie hides a wry smile behind her hand; she had certainly heard such language before but it always amused her that even the 'saltiest, salt of the earth' never failed to be embarrassed about their 'choice phrases' all in all an endearing trait. A trait that some of the 'noble and good' of the land might be better off cultivating too, she thought to herself.

"That's quite alright, we didn't mean to startle you." Nellie says making a 'throwaway' gesture with her hand to indicate that the fruity language was of no consequence. "A guniea, goodness me! Who would offer 'two weeks wages' for such a simple task as to remove a sewer cover?" Nellie asks in mild shock.

iirc in 1880 the average income was between 5 and 10 shillings a week... a guinea is 21 shillings... £1/1/-

[Priest]

OOC:   "iirc in 1880 the average income was between 5 and 10 shillings a week... a guinea is 21 shillings... £1/1/-" True but it's tradition to always complain about poor wages, and there are three of them

"Weren't no easy task gettin the flippin fing orf" Pipes up the youngest, and possibly hottest of the three, "Anyways if the toff wants ta throw his money abaht, its up to him" It appears from his appearance that taking off the sewer lid had been a far more difficult task that might be expected.

"Thems as paid us went into the 'Speaker' to 'ave a chat wiv old Ginny Mattison. Aint come out yet" adds the earlier speaker wringing his checked cap as if it was the neck of a chicken, "One of em was a right stern looking cove, not the sort to get across I expect. The over one had a mad glint in his eye an it was 'im wot give us a guinea. We told em that the lid was fixed tight to stop the vermin from escaping agin. So I reckons it was fare pay for a fare job. Begging your pardon Ma'am" he tugs his forelock in a most servile manner.

[carnage_lee]

Nellie listens to the workmen.

"Indeed, id does seem that the lid is stoutly secured. They've gone into 'The Speaker' well we'll just wait for them then. Don't mind us, you carry on."

[Priest]

With much grunting, sweating but mindful of any language of a none to delicate sort, the three return to the task in hand.

Shortly with the application of various tools which they have obviously borrowed from various sources, they succeed in loosening the lid. Indeed the loosening is so sudden that one of them, the checked cap wearing individual whom it seems is named Stan, manages to bloody his knuckles on a twist of the crowbar that he is using. For a moment the air turns blue as he, in a response to the sudden pain, begins to unleash a tirade of curse words that would embarrass a Sargeant-Major of the Coldstream Guards.

His mouth filled with bloody knucles he doffs his cap and send an apologetic look in Nellie's direction, "Excuse me Ma'am, quite forgot meself, but it did blasted 'urt some"

Slowly the others lift the heavy looking iron lid away, revealing a dark circular opening with a series of rusted iron ladder rungs leading down. With the lid removed the surrounding air is filled with a most disgusting aroma.

"Ahh" says the youngest wiping his brow with the back of his hand, "London"

[Papa Gateau]

Roxborough looks down the manhole "Good job there fellows, good job"

Roxborough thinking:   Hmm rather foul stench but then what should one expect considering we are at the heart of the filth peddlars

[Priest]

Spoiler:

Roll tracking 6d6 or take the average of 3

[Papa Gateau]

OOC:   Dice roll, Papa Gateau rolled 6d6: 3, 5, 5, 6, 2, 3

[Priest]

Roxborough:

OOC:   That's 2 successes (only even numbers count) so the average of 3 successes would have proved better in this case. However 2 successes are ok.

Looking within the sewer opening, despite the weakening of daylight as it decends towards the sewer tunnel below, it is simple to note the traces of an enormous amount of recent use. The iron rungs of the access ladder, usualy dark with the rust and rubbish collected upon it, has been cleaned to such an extent as the metal almost gleams as if fastidiously polished. Looking closer you can see that this effect has been produced by the passage of hundreds of tiny, sharp clawed, feet.

Stan, cap now returned to his head, hands thrust deep into his trouser pockets, nods, sagely, "That's wot the rats done. Thasands of the blighters scratchin' and clawin' wiv their filfy paws"

[carnage_lee]

The foul stench causes Nellie to take a couple of steps further from the hole and. "Anything interesting down there?" she asks as Roxborough as he peers into the manhole.

[Priest]

OOC:   Please continue here: viewtopic.php?f=286&t=4860&p=155820#p155820