The Green Menace

Game Master RainyDayNinja

Yes, I think so

Back to the train and off to the President as fast as we can!!

The group secures passage and boards the next train for Washington D.C. However, the delay means that they do not arrive until early the next morning.

As you disembark, the morning is bright, crisp, and clear. The train station bustles with activity, but there is no sign of the armed escort that Morroway arranged.

Where to?

George hires a porter and a taxi (or horse drawn carriage) and says, "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, my good man. "

"Hmm. Franklin must have had trouble finding good men. I'll telephone him first chance I have." Morroway states. He looks worried, however.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Evelyn stands by, looking about at the crowd and the city, which she hasn't previously visited. Sniffing, she wrinkles her nose. Quite a city you americans have built here" she says, "why you chose to build it in a swamp i'll never know."

If the lizard-men were here, they'd find an armed escort suspicious.

George is easily able to find a carriage to take the group to their destination. "1600 Pennsylvania Avenue?" the cabbie asks in a thick Irish accent. "Tourists in to see the capitol, I see!"

Harry keeps a sharp lookout for anyone who seems to be paying the group an undue amount of interest.

Van Winkle says, "Democracy, compromise and such." to Cardue

Later to the cabbie, "I wanted to show my visiting international friends the White House first and then probably the Washington Monument. You know good man."

The cabbie brings the group around to the White House, which is still looking fresh from its remodeling a few years ago. The street is bustling with activity, and two men in dark suits and bowler hats stand by the main gate to the White House grounds. They wear five-pointed star badges, and eye the passing pedestrians casually.

Victor whistles. Great house. Lucky President.

Evelyn glances at Victor. "Well i suppose its quite a nice little place... Rather rustic in a quaint way."

"Is there a reason it is white? It does not seem to get hot enough for it to deflect the sun's light..?

"It's just a building. The real wonder is the men inside, intelligent and virtuous statesmen leading our country to greatness." Morroway says with a hint of pride.

-Posted with Wayfinder

George says, "Well said, Morroway, well said."

Yes. Yes. I wonder if they have tours. If they don't, they should... People would pay a lot of money...

So, what now? Keep in mind you don't really have an appointment.

George walks up to the front gate looking for a security man he recognizes from the last time he had visited his old war buddy and says, "Hello my good man. How are the kids? Would you be able to pencil me in to see the Moose. I have something extremely important to show him."

Victor waits for the security officer to let them through.

Morroway doesn't bother with eye contact, but stands patiently and expressionless.

-Posted with Wayfinder

One of the men tips his hat and replies, "Mr. Van Winkle, good to see you. Unfortunately, Mr. Roosevelt is traveling at the moment. If you like, you can tell us where you're staying, and we'll let the President know you called."

George says, "Would you happen to know when he will be back, if not I guess I could meet with the secretary of State.

Victor mutters quietly.
He should be here? Didn't you call him, Morroway?

"I'll get on the line this afternoon and see what went wrong." Morroway states casually.

-Posted with Wayfinder

Harry, hearing the President is away, redoubles his vigilance as this is beginning to look like someone might be setting them up.

"Do you think anyone else could have got to him first and arranged for him to be away? How high does this conspiracy go?", he whispers to Victor.

Well, then, we're bloody well screwed, Victor whispers back to Harry.

"Of course, for security reasons, I can't be specific about his schedule. If you have an urgent concern, I could perhaps arrange a meeting with someone else."

-Posted with Wayfinder

We'll just do that, then...
Victor sighs.

George scratches his head and says, "Is the honorable secretary of State from New York, Mr. Root available? I have met him in society in the Empire State, before. It is fairly urgent."

Deep cut

"If you have a message for us to pass on, I'll make sure he receives it. If not, I can see if his schedule has any openings."

George says, "It is imperative that we speak to him. This is extremely important."

Psychology 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (4, 1) + 6 = 11

Come on, old chap... Victor chews on his lip, worried of the result.

The man looks a bit exasperated at the vagueness of the request, but he nods to his partner, sending him off to see if the Secretary can fit Van Winkle into his schedule.

"We'll pass your request on up. If and when an appointment can be made, where can I contact you?"

It's going to take some time; you're not going to want to just stand on the street all day. Are you going to get some rooms, or make other inquiries?

Van Winkle says nonchalantly, "I will be staying at the Willard, my personal favorite hotel in the city. The ballroom is exquisite. Have the secretary call for me there. I shall most likely be enjoying a rye. My man, I do hope those teetotallers do not gain any traction. Have a grand day!"

"I think I'll join you, sir. I do hope you're not drinking that dreadful Canadian swill. It's Kentucky Bourbon for me, if this hotel has any measure of propriety."
On to the hotel?

-Posted with Wayfinder

Victor looks aghast at this. Dreadful? Why I'll show you... He mutters a string of curses at Morroway's choice of drink. As soon as he calms down, he says: I can stay at an adjacent hotel, and watch for trouble?

Morroway, Rye whiskey, made in Pennsylvania or Maryland was the most popular spirit until prohibition followed by Rum from New England.

George says, "Mr. Hoadley, now you are Canadian, who are you? Mr. Morroway, Canadian Rye isn't fit to call itself rye. If I am not mistaken it has around 30%. I personally prefer those Rye distilled in Pennsylvania, they have a little more spice to them. Bourbon is nice from time to time, but I must say I prefer the Ryes, try one I think you will enjoy it. Seriously, the Willard is very large and it has been around since the day of President Pierce."

Amid much discussion about drink, the group retires to the nearby Willard Hotel, keen on recovering from the events of the last two days. The bar is well-stocked and lavishly decorated, and even at this early hour, important men from across the civilized world are scattered about at the tables, engaged in hushed conversations with colleagues and mistresses in a half-dozen foreign languages.

It may be some time before you hear back. How do you wish to occupy yourselves?

Now, George, I shall taste this Pennsylvanian rye. And if it is better than what I have up north, it shall ruin the nature of my very existence. Victor says.

I'm good with just lounging, but for my phone call.

-Posted with Wayfinder

George smiles and says, "If you can handle a little spice you are in for a treat my colonial friend."

He turns to the waiter, "A bottle of your finest Monoghela Rye, my good man."

Morroway phones into the office, and is greeted with an unfamiliar voice.

Now, let's see what all this talk is about. Victor lifts the bottle to his lips, and takes a sip. Bloody hell! But it's so good! In between sips, Victor talks. Now... I must.... talk to the..... prime minister... about... taking Pennsylvania... as a colony.... we could trade.... Quebec....

George says, "So, is Quebec a colony within a colony? Maybe if you made England a colony of the United States would we think about it. Kings are so 150 years ago. Think democracy. How can you live in such squalor under a tyrant? Why doesn't the entire Dominion of Canada join with us. You wouldn't feel obligated to say foolish things like 'Bloody Hells' all of the time." with a smirk as he drains another.

Victor fake sniffs. But what else are we supposed to say when someone has shot at us! Victor takes another swallow. Quebec is a province.. like a state.... except, you know, called a province. And I advise you not to call the King a tyrant in any British colony. Victor leans in closer. It attracts a hell of a lot of attention from coppers.

George laughs "Stay calm. You do have a convoluted system now don't you. Only a tyrant would be angry at being called a tyrant."