Soon enough you put it out of your mind, especially once you arrive in New York City. The buildings loom large as you head through the bustling streets to the Amherst Hotel.
"A Mr. Chastain and a boy Chris St. Claire are here to see Mr. Starkweather. What is that? Send them both right up? Very well".
The man hangs up the phone, "You may both proceed to the 30th floor. Richard will show you to the proper room". he states matter of factly.
One of the bell hops comes over to take any bags you may have and you step with him onto the elevator.
She seems to see you and has an odd look on her face.
A pretty one, not that you pay such things much mind any more really.
You head to the elevator and just miss it as a man and what you think is his son and bell hop fail to hold the doors for you. Perhaps you should have retained your clerical collar for the meeting.
Regardless another elevator comes and you step onto it with a man holding a camera.
"Can you press the..." he stops as you press the button for the 30th floor. "What are the odds, we are heading to the same place!" he exclaims.
Christopher looks over at the desk clerk. It's Christopher, and continue to slight me and I will make your life very difficult. Chris follows after the bellhop.
Phoebe smiles and waves at Seamus.
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The meeting in the train made Thomas a bit paranoid. He saw the two man and imagined the reason they were here.
Are they here to bring me with them, since that old man failed to convince me?
He headed to the clerk, accidentally bumping at the young woman.
"Pardon me Miss..." before he continued towards the clerk. "Good morning. I have been invited by Lieutenant Starkweather to attend a meeting today... Could you tell him I have arrived and instruct me where to meet him?"
Phoebe as you waive a man bumps you accidentally "Pardon me miss...
Nice gams, Seamus thinks as he eyes the gorgeous dame across the hotel lobby. When she turns towards him he realizes that he knows her, That's Tommy's wife. Whats her name? Abigail, Catherine ... no Phoebe, thats it, he thinks as he quickly scans the room looking for Tommy.
Seamus brings his gaze back toward her and notices her wave and returns it.
"Wait here Micky I see someone I know," he says as he makes his way toward her.
Quickly stepping back and out of the strangers way, It is perfectly fine sir. Seeing Seamus start towards her Pheobe walks towards him. It is nice to see you again.
Stanley follows the bellhop and the young man on the way up to meet with Starkweather. Given what the kid had said about his family being major investors in the expedition, he's glad that he had a chance to make a positive impression on their representative, young as he may be. He's taken a large risk in leaving Curtiss, and he hopes that he can continue to do things to make that risk smaller.
He doesn't say anything more at the moment, however. He's thinking through his upcoming meeting with Mister Starkweather. Over-analyzing social situations is a problem that's always troubled him to some extent when meeting new people.
Seamus extends his hand saying, "Phoebe it has been a while, where's Tommy?
Seamus remembers all of his close calls and how he has escaped death more then once. He expresses hi condolances and awkwardly asks, "What brings you back to New York? Last I heard you were somewhere near beantown."
Phoebes eyes immediately turn glasses at the mention of Thomas, He passed two years ago.
Thank you. The somber look to her doesn't leave though she is clearly trying to ignore it as a stumbles over her word a little. Ac, actually it is a job offer. I am going to meet with James Starkweather and his partner about a trip to Antarctica. What brings you here? I don't see a pretty girl with you?
** spoiler omitted **
"Certainly is. God works in mysterious ways". Fergus replies. "What brings you to this floor, if I might be so bold to ask"? "Oh and where are my manners". Fergus extends a hand.
"Garrity's the name".
Seamus grins and replies, "That's because I'm planning on going to the the South Pole too." He goes on to explain that his friend Mickey has told him about the expedition and that they intend to go along. He extends his arm to Pheobe and offers,"Can I escort you the rest of the way?" As they leave he waves Mickey to come along.
Well that is happy news indeed! I shall not be alone on this voyage. With a smile she happily links arms with Seamus and follows along.
"Ah Mr. Greenwood, welcome. Mr. Starkweather is on the 30th Floor".
Mickey blurts out to Thomas, "We're going to see the man as well, let's ride that elevator together eh?" [ooc]Mickey appears to be an Irish dockworker from what you can tell Thomas.
The clerk shakes his head at the outburst and mumbles under his breath though loud enough for you all to hear, "So many strange people here to see Mr. Starkweather..."
This room is clearly a sitting room with two connected bedrooms.
Your attention though is quickly drawn to the man in the room, standing nearly 6'6" tall his visage is most imposing. Short cropped hair and steel grey eyes complement his expensive business suit.
"Misters Chastain and St. Claire. You are the first to arrive today. We are expecting a few more before the interview begins. Please have a seat and refreshments if you wish. Our employers will be ready momentarily". On the coffee table is a pot of coffee and several cups along with a number of pastries.
I've been called worse, Seamus thinks as he escorts Phoebe to the elevator. 30th floor, he says to the operator. Once inside the elevator he pauses for a second and introduces himself to the stranger as he extends his hand, "Hello, I'm Seamus McHale." With a smile and a nod toward Phoebe, "and this is Ms. Phoebe Barret."
He continues as the elevator rises,"The other fellow with us is Mickey.
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Every time his name was spoken in the presence of strangers a little part of Thomas always expected to be recognized as the famous writer he was. He sighed.
Well... these people actually aren't among my possible public anyway... except for the lady.
He extended his hand in response to Seamus. "I'm Thomas Allen Greenwood." He then shook Mickey's hand and Phoebe's. "How do you do?"
Stanley isn't surprised he's among the first to arrive. That's always been the sort of person he is. He is surprised by the physically imposing man who greets them. You don't see people like that very often among engineers. He nods his understanding and pours himself a cup of coffee and picks out a bear claw. To someone well grounded in physics, but somewhat lacking in the natural sciences, it seems an appropriate snack with which to start an expedition to the south continent. There are enormous bears down there, right?
He takes a bite and a sip and then, after thinking hard, decides to attempt small talk.
"So, Mister St. Claire, I must admit I find it curious that you would be your family's representative here, at your age. Not that I have any reason to doubt you, or anything, we've only just met. I know it's not really any of mine, but do you normally handle your family's business, or is this expedition of particular interest to you?"
A little of both truth be told. My interests have led me to acquire many rare occult books and artifacts and has led to become quite an expert on antiquities in general. And while I am often dispatched to see to our various holdings, for this expedition there is no more obvious choice.
Fergus nods and smiles at the enthusiastic reporter. "Indeed. It's the same in my profession... we take what we can get".
He then waits for the elevator, and heads towards the meeting.
As Stanley and Christopher make small talk several more parties arrive in the suite.
The first a group of two men, one with a camera who introduces himself as a reporter from the New York Times.
The second group consisting of three men and a woman. One of the men introduces himself as Mickey, heads to the coffee, and promptly pours a fair amount of whiskey into the cup.
Fergus makes the rounds introducing himself to all present with a pleasant smile and a handshake.
"Greetings. I am Father Garrity. I'm very pleased to make your acquaintance".
Stanley mentally forces himself to maintain the attempt at being personable. He generally prefers to be able to meet people fewer at a time, and the reporter with the camera isn't helping any.
Probably my own mistake, he thinks. When Moore said interviews, I assumed he meant interviewing for the position, not interviewing with the press. It explains why we'd all be present and not done one at a time.
He shakes one of the new arrivals hands as he comes up to him.
"Hello, Father Garrity. I'm Stanley Chastain, airplane expert. Pleased to meet you, too." It's a lie, for the moment, but will probably become more true as Stanley gets more comfortable around all the new people.
Christopher St. Claire at your service. But if you don't mind what does a member of the church want with this expedition?
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Thomas never liked the cameras, not when his books were on the best sellers list, and especially not now, so he avoided the reporter. He decided to try his luck with the father, the boy and the engineer.
"Greetings. I'm Thomas Allen Greenwood, novelist of the Thornwood Sword series and, more recently, the Redlake Festival."
As a tentative to be part of the conversation and avoid the reporter, Thomas tried to answer the boy's question.
"When away from home and amid the unknown, the assurance that the faith is among us could make a difference between a successful expedition and a failed one..."
Christopher St. Claire at your service. But if you don't mind what does a member of the church want with this expedition?
"Perhaps a better question is what does the expedition want with a member of the church? I'm here at the invitation of our host. I'm not only a man of god... I've seen things, and my relationship runs deep. What brings you here"?
Thomas never liked the cameras, not when his books were on the best sellers list, and especially not now, so he avoided the reporter. He decided to try his luck with the father, the boy and the engineer.
"Greetings. I'm Thomas Allen Greenwood, novelist of the Thornwood Sword series and, more recently, the Redlake Festival."
As a tentative to be part of the conversation and avoid the reporter, Thomas tried to answer the boy's question.
"When away from home and amid the unknown, the assurance that the faith is among us could make a difference between a successful expedition and a failed one..."
"Mr Greenwood! Pleased to meet you. I'm a big fan of your work, I believe I detect some themes in there that I'd love to discuss with you at more detail. Perhaps our chance meeting might provide this opportunity".
My family is helping to fund this expedition and I'm here to represent our interests. As to your work I'm familiar with your last book. Quite wonderful.
Seamus stands to the side watching the others interact, The last thing I want to do is stand around bumping gums. He gazes around the room and wonders, wher's the hooch.
wher's the hooch.
As Seamus scans the room he is disappointed to find that breakfast in this suite is dry.
When Seamus realizes that there is nothing to drink he thinks, this is what happens when you invite a priest to a party.
That Devil Man! He did not say that reporters would be here!Gently tugging on Seamus's arm to encourage him to join the others then walking over to great them. It is a pleasure to meet all of you. I am Phoebe Barrett. I will be handling the medical side of this expedition.
Smiling and lowering her voice,Was it mentioned to any of you that a reporter would be here?
Christopher St. Claire. And no, but an undertaking of this magnitude is bound to get press and our first meeting is an excellent photo op. He sticks his hand out to her.
"And I'am Seamus," he says to St. Claire as he extends his hand to shake.
He hears Phoebe's question about reporters and thinks, I didn't know anyone would be here, best keep my mouth shut don't want to seem like I just go off the boat.
The Interview Begins
The door to the south opens up and two men come striding forth from it.
The first man is well dressed, especially considering the dire times, in a fine Italian suit but wears a safari hat which he takes off once he spots Phoebe. His hair is black, parted from right to left and pristine as pristine as the thick mustache on his upper lip. He stand 6'2" tall and has a handsome face, despite the fact that he is clearly middle aged.
He approaches Fergus first with his hand outstretched, "Father! Excellent to see you again after so much time! I am glad you can make it for this trip old boy!
Greetings to you all, I am James Starkweather - explorer extraordinaire and financier of this trip!" His British accent is plain but not overbearing and it is clear he has spent some time in America.
The second man is shorter and slighter of build. His hair is a soft brown and also parted from right to left. His goatee is a salt pepper color, showing his age a bit more than he would like. Indeed the spectacles make him look even older.
He approaches Phoebe smiling and whispers to her.
He nods to Stanley and speaks his voice much less boisterous than Starkweather's. "Indeed greetings to you all. I am Professor William Moore. Chair of the Geology Department at Miskatonic University. Though I am here on a Sabbatical to assist in leading this expedition as the University itself is unattached to this expedition".
The Journalist steps forward, "Elmer Davis of the New York Times, a pleasure to meet you both!"
"Journalist eh?" replies Starkweather. "Have a seat in the corner over there and observe. I'll tell you what's fit to print here!
Which one of you is Greenwood?"
Moore clears his throat, "Let's allow all of our new acquaintances to introduce themselves James, this is after all, the final round of interviews we will be conducting for the trip".
"Yes yes. Right you are old chap. Have at it then. A bit about yourselves!"
Fergus's smile when he takes Starkweather's hand is genuine, still some of the memories he tries so hard to submerge threaten to come to the surface. He swallows and a slight twitching of his eye, and an unconscious movement of his off hand to where the flask is hidden under his coat are the only reveals of this underlying tension.
"Commander Starkweather. It's been too long. It's good to see that father time has treated you so well".
Then taking on his "public speaking" persona, Fergus turns to the gathered group, and introduces himself.
"Hello all. I'm Fergus Garrity... Father Fergus Garrity as I'm sure you have all surmised. Commander Starkweather and I spent some time together in the trenches during the Great War, so I'm no stranger to adventure and hardship. And, I promise I won't make any judgement s about any of you, but if you need guidance concerning spiritual matters... well my door is always open".
He then shakes Moore's hand, before stepping back to hear the story's of the others.
I'll ask for the facilities in a bit. Need to freshen up a bit... The Father thinks to himself, though in the back of his mind he knows that he will put the flask to use.
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At the mention of his name, Thomas steps forward and shakes James hand.
"Lieutenant Starkweather... nice to meet you."
Following Father Gerrity's example, Thomas turned to face all the gathered group.
"My name is Thomas Allen Greenwood, novelist of the Thornwood Sword series and, more recently, the Redlake Festival."
Despite his introduction revealed little about the reason he was called to this particular interview, he decided it would be better to be quite... at least until he had the chance to speak to Starkweather privately.
Seamus listens to the others introduce themselves and concludes, I can see everyone's roll in this endeavor except mine. Hired Muscle, maybe. But why would an expedition like this need security I didn't think penguins were that dangerous.
Seamus tries to wait for Mickey to introduce them but it's obvious that his old friend is oblivious to what is expected. So he jumps in and says, " Top of the mornin all, I'm Seamus McHale I specialize in security. My most recent experience is as a member of the NYPD. I am taking a sabbatical in order to be free to go on this expedition." He pauses for a moment and adds, "And this is my assistant Mickey."
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Mickey, mouth full of biscuits, waves and grins spitting out crumbs as he speaks, "Please tah meet ye fine folk".
"Stanley, here, expert on airplanes with a decade of experience at Curtiss Aircraft. While I never served in the war directly, I'd like to think my work on the HS and HA models helped make a difference in the field."
He gives a small wave with one hand and adjusts his glasses with the other.
"I've never met an airplane I didn't understand, and I'll make sure that whatever planes we bring stay in good working order despite the cold, bad weather, and man-eating Walruses."
I'm Christopher St. Claire, heir to the St. Claire assets and I'm here to represent our family's invested interest.
Starkweather makes a showing in front of the cameras. Making sure to get pictures with each of you and editing the notes going as far as to remove pages from the young reporters notebook which he deems not useful for the story.
His bodyguard shuttles the reporter out as the questions begin.
Before he speaks, he opens a credenza at the far end of the room popping open a bottle of brandy, "Now we can relax with that reported gone, it would not due to have our picture taken mid celebration, after all, Prohibition has not been repealed by your American government yet!"
He pours the first glass of liquor for his old friend Fergus. "Glad to have you along. The Lord has not allowed man to see these creations of his perhaps ever so it is important to have a man of God there with us to bless the endeavor!"
"I daresay my boy you are an adventurous one! At your age I was stuck in school book learning is a waste of time if you ask me for a young inquisitive mind! Have you nay experience in Arctic settings Christopher?"
"Your writing will be what brings everyone in this room glory! Why I don't believe you will even need to embellish the tale but feel free to do so, you know your craft better than I! Are you up for this though? It will be physically grueling that I cannot help".
Starkweather quickly turns to Stanley, "This man though may be able to make this endeavor for us all go much smoother. The planes, they are the key to success. Technology has made a great leap forward since the Miskatonic Expedition and this man knows that technology like no one else in the trade. Isn't that right my good man?!"
Seamus and Mickey "I am afraid I don't know either of you..." Mickey approaches the boisterous Englishman and hands him an envelope. Starkweather checks it and slaps Mickey on the shoulder, "But be welcome!!! I guess you are the money man and your friend here", he points at Seamus, "the brains and brawn".
Starkweather holds off a frown as he turns to Phoebe. "A pleasure to meet you young lady, tell me. When did you graduate from school? What did you study, be specific now. How old are you? What does your husband make of all of this? No niceties where we are going Madam, do you really fancy changing your linens every day in a room with thirty or more unwashed men?"
During all of this Moore remains silent.
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"I think this is the whole point, Lt. Starkweather. As you can see, I have difficulties to move around quickly..." he waves his cane. "... and I have a daughter and an unfinished book to leave behind if, and I should put a good emphasis in the IF, I decide to accompany your expedition."
"A couple years ago I used to 'embellish' my stories, but this style was abandoned in my current works, a tendency that I intend to adopt in all my future styles..."
Thomas drinks a sip from his drink.
"I care not for money, or fame... my only desire are new sources of a specific kind of knowledge that is not found around in every library, at least not in those that are not controlled by our government... do you think we can help each other, Lieutenant?"