Meeley thanks the dock worker than open the way for them.
She looks surprised at Gretchen, when she tells about being part of the crew.
"I am Josephine Stanton, reporter for the New York Inquirer. I came for the press conference."
She flashes her news identification.
My name is Gretchen Von Hammersmark and I am a memeber of this crew. Is Professor Moore already aboard?
She looks around at the crowd. And can you tell me why so many people? And also where all the women are? Has the crowd gone mad and thrown them all into the sea??
The security man replies, "No ma'am. The Professor is not here but he is allowing press in and you it seems based on the list he provided to me".
One of the dock workers laughs at Gretchen, "You're the only Dame on this trip as far as I know!" The rest of the crew chuckles as well.
Halperin begins to discuss some of the insights he learned from his time in the north pole as Miles finally finishes his triple check of the planes.
He walks back over in your direction, "I don't see anything wrong. At least they are in good working condition even if they arrived later than I would have liked", he pauses. "Thank you for the help", he then extends a hand to shake and walks away after a firm handshake.
Halperin laughs, "I guess you must have made a good impression on him, he's never thanked me for anything!"
Stanley chuckles a relieved sort of chuckle along with Halperin's laugh. "I figure with the amount of time we'll all be cooped on the boat together, and then on the bottom of the world together, it's essential to try to make a good first impression. It would be a very long trip otherwise." He takes a deep breath for a pause. "I think, with the stepped-up security, these planes we've already checked should stay good. I'll try to check back in when that last plane gets here. If something else crops up, like things have been doing the last few days, at least I know it'll be in good hands. Thanks again, so much, for your patience today."
With that, Stanley offers a handshake to Halperin as well. He starts to make his way off the boat and notices that there's a large crowd gathering. Curious, he tries to get a vantage point from which to see why they're all there and what they're waiting for.
Meeley makes his way to the front of the reporters, ready to witness the press conference.
Thomas shrugs, "A good idea Arnault. After that should we head to the ship to check in on the Captain?"
The waiter heads to the front desk and brings you back the spare key. "Please return it to the desk as it is the only spare we have".
" Vee vill be sure to return zee key. " Arnault says taking it from the waiter.
" Vell, " He says looking to Thomas and Pheobe. " Vee better check zis room out and see vhat has happened to zis Young man, before heading to zee ship. "
Arnault leaves his half eaten breakfast and heads up to the room. He slots the key into the lock and lookin at Pheobe and Thomas opens the door.
What? Only two women on the boat? Hm. I can't decide if that's good or bad... She turns to Meeley Are you not also member of the expedition? My name is Gretchen von Hammersmark. I'm a scientist.
Stanley as you get to the ramp leading to the ground you see a number of people look up in your direction some look up and take photos of you.
One of the reporters calls out, "That's not Professor Moore, no need to take a picture of him!"
Meeley starts heading to the small crowd gathering near the ramp to the ship leaving Gretchen a bit behind due to her rush to get a good spot in the front.
Gretchen turns around and sees both Moore and Starkweather approaching the ship. Starkweather smiles from ear to ear, he motions to you Gretchen wanting you to head back away from the ship where the reporters are gathering.
Arnault opens the door and looks inside, the place looks a bit disheveled. The bed is not made and the drawers are all open and empty as if someone left in a hurry.
What? Only two women on the boat? Hm. I can't decide if that's good or bad... She turns to Meeley Are you not also member of the expedition? My name is Gretchen von Hammersmark. I'm a scientist.
Meeley's eyes widen at hearing the woman.
"You are going with them? That is fantastic! You got to promise me an interview. I'll see you after the conference."After that she moves to the front of the reporters.
Caught off guard by the reporters and the sudden bout of pictures, Stanley reels backward away from immediate view. Rather than try to push through such a large mass of people, he instead decides that he's probably better off stuck on the boat until whatever they came for is finished. Apparently they were expecting Professor Moore. Maybe this has something to do with the outburst this morning, and he might know that if he'd stuck around the hotel instead of immediately coming down here to check on the planes, though he certainly thinks he made the right choice.
Hopefully, if the reporters were that trigger-happy with the cameras, then whatever they were waiting for is about to happen very soon. Then, presumably, the crowd will disperse and he can attempt to leave the ship again. In the mean time, he'll keep an ear out to listen to what's happening on the quay down below. He's kind of curious.
" Vell, looks like zey hafe left in a hurry... " Arnault says, moving over to the empty draws. He shuts a draw and looks about the room. Shaking his head. " Maybe vun of zese people who are discouragink people from zis expedition got to him? " he looks at Pheobe.
Quietly moving around the room and looking about Pheobe begins to look more agitated. That is possible... And very concerning. Why would someone be doing so?
You find nothing more than what you have already seen nor does Thomas.
Thomas shrugs, "Perhaps we should ask Starkweather or Moore. Maybe they know where he went"?
*gulp* Here goes nothing. Gretchen steels her courage and proceeds toward the cameras, to meet the captain of the expedition.
Dr. Moore! I made it. So nice to see you again. And you must be Mr. Starkweather. So pleased to meet you! I look forward to the discoveries we shall make on this expedition. I shall not fail the team!
Starkweather responds curtly, "Yes yes let's dispense with the pleasantries quickly now give me the rundown of what it is you do eh?"
You hear one of the crew speaking to the reporters who are shouting questions out and asking where Moore and Starkweather are, "The press conference will begin shortly gentlemen... and lady", he adds noticing Meeley at the last moment.
Ah, a press conference. Probably will have an easier time getting through once it's finished and the crown disperses.
Stanley gets as comfortable as possible, prepared to wait the event out and listen to the proceedings as they develop. It never hurts to be as informed as possible.
Arnault nods. " Even if zey don't know anythink, vee should inform zem zat Christopher is missink. "
Arnault strides from the room locking it behind him after everyone is out and then heading off to locate Moore.
Gretchen looks around nervously at the cameras. Any answer she gives will be showing up in the papers and that makes her a bit nervous. She never wanted fame, only the opportunity to discover and explore.
Vwell sir, I have PHD in paleo-geology, and have published articles in the fields and archeology and paleontology. If you intend your mission as a scientific forey than I am your girl. Gretchen blinks as the cameras flash. Damn. Too many people. I really can't wait to get under way!
While everyone else has their eyes on the ship, you glance back to see in what direction Gretchen is heading. Tat is when you spot them, Moore and Starkweather speaking with Gretchen in the shadows of the building which blocks the docks from the streets. If you hurry you may well scoop the other reporters!
Starkweather looks at Moore for a moment, "I suppose that is as good as it gets on short notice eh Professor? It does not hurt that she is a looker either, you very photogenic my dear!"
Moore rolls his eyes, "Yes James, let's get this over with, I am sure Gretchen would like to hear more about the roll I have planned for her".
As you head into the hall you find other members of the team who inform you that Moore and Starkweather took a cab to the Gabriel. It seems they are having a pres conference to announce the newest member of the crew, another woman!
Meeley moves, slowly at first, not to alert the other reporters, and faster after leaving them behind, towards Gretchen and the expedition leaders.
"Dr. Moore, Dr. Starkweather! Josephine Stanton, New York Inquirer. Is it true this lovely lady is part of your expedition? When do you plan to leave?"
Mumbling to herself, Well it seems I shall not be the only woman on this mission anymore.
Turning to Arnault, I am curious about the new people so I would be happy to go to the ship if you have anything else you would like to do. I wonder if she is the one in the robe from earlier.
Thomas stays behind in case Christopher decides to return and the two of you jump in a cab to head to the SS Gabriel and hopefully catch the press conference.
Passing trough the tough new security protocols, you arrive just in time to see Moore, Starkweather and the newest member of the crew speaking amongst themselves.
Suddenly, a female reporter steps from a crowd near the ship and calls out, "Dr. Moore, Dr. Starkweather! Josephine Stanton, New York Inquirer. Is it true this lovely lady is part of your expedition? When do you plan to leave?"
Moore seems caught off guard by the question but Starkweather is smooth and swift in his response, "Indeed Ms. Stanton, I would like to introduce Dr. Gretchen von Hammersmark of Miskatonic University. Her experience in the fields of archeology and paleontology are second to none. I might add, she is also the only expert in this field who will be on any Expedition to the Antarctic, well any Expedition that matters anyway!"
You look out at the scene below and as your eyes begin to trace something in the water the jostle backwards of the throng of reporters distracts you from whatever it is you thought you noticed.
Meeley smiles.
"I think is great you are taking her with you, and Dr. von Hammersmark seems like a very competent person. Ever thought she should be accompanied, for decency's sake? What about taking a reporter too? One that can pilot airplanes, and can take her own airplane to the expedition?"
Stanley snaps suddenly back to reality. Perhaps it was the early wake-up this morning, followed by the extensive checkout on the planes, but it seemed that he must have been starting to doze and see some strange things in the water. He's not sure what he thought he was seeing, but that sort of thing just doesn't make sense. Perhaps once this press conference is over he'll head back to the hotel and take a nap.
Starkweather smiles and laughs at Meeley's comment and quips, "Do you know of such a remarkable woman?"
Moore fields the question,"Do not worry for Dr. von Hammersmark's decency. We also have another woman joining us for the Expedition, a nurse quite knowledgeable".
Questions bombard the two men and the Dr. Uncharacteristically, Starkweather gives few details as to the trip especially the date that the ship will set sail. It is as if this once open book has now been shut.
Meeley smiles.
"I'm fact I do."
Stanley watches the press conference from his vantage point. It seems far briefer than he would have expected, given how excited and outgoing Starkweather has appeared so far. Why such a sudden change? He has no idea, but people were never his forte. They're always changing and unpredictable. Mathematics, machines and physics are far easier to understand. As far as he can tell, there wasn't very much information presented that was new to him, and his attention starts to wander to thought of the upcoming expedition and what might be waiting for him on the bottom of the world.
My modesty be damned I suppose. He is so arrogant. He is lucky I am a professional and not the medically inclined person on this ship. And that is a lot of reporters. Wow! Quietly moving into the area and keeping her distance from the mass of people. Only getting close enough to hear.
Starkweather grins at Meeley's reply, "Well then name her, perhaps we will seek her out before we head out on this trip. I have always said that women should be on the forefront. After all it's a new day is it not?"
Gretchen notices Moore roll his eyes at the last comment by Starkweather but he says nothing further of any real substance.
In fact, tThe two men speak for about 10 more minutes utilizing so many pronouns and adjectives to describe the trip with no real substance it's a wonder the dictionary and thesaurus have not run out of words!
Finally the reporters begin to clear away and the crew is left to get back to work.
Meeley winks and smiles.
"Josephine Stanton, aviator and reporter, at your service."
Starkweather pauses at Meeley's introduction, considering what she has said, "What do you think Moore do we...."
Before he can finish his statement one of the crew screams out, "There is a body in the water, someone dive in quick!"
Stanley gets a sort of sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. He'd just been dreaming, or daydreaming, about seeing something it the water several minutes ago. As a rational, scientific man, he's always scoffed at the notion of prophetic dreams, but had he just had one? He's not the strongest swimmer, but in his tired state he somehow feels responsible, and rushes to the edge of the pier. He hesitates for just a moment, looking to see if he recognizes the person in the water -- and whether they're still alive and actively needing help -- before diving in while wearing his suit. Sure, the suit can be replaced, but there's no sense ruining it if it's already too late to help.
Rushing to the edge and only needing to see a body in the water Phoebe climbs onto the ledge and leaps into the water. The only thought in her mind is to get the unlucky person out of the water. Certainly not that she while not unable to swim she is not the best of them.
"Sorry, news are calling."
She goes to find what is happening.
When Stanley hesitates and Phoebe jumps right in, he kicks himself a little bit for his reluctance. He kneels down on the edge of the pier.
"I can pull while you push, to help get 'em out of the water," he calls down.
Phoebe leaps into the water and is easily able to grab the body and pull it towards the pier where Stanley and a few of the workers fish the body out.
Instantly the figure is recognizable, it is Christopher St. Clare. His breathing is quite shallow but he clings to life. Starkweather runs over and reaches into the water and pulls Phoebe out himself.
"Quick, do what you can to stabilize the boy my dear!"
[ooc]With the Medical Profession (Nurse) Special Benefit - Immune to Sanity loss from the sight of a non-Mythos death do I need the roll. I will do it but I am curious.
Ignoring everyone around and keeping calm Phoebe is quick to administer CPR, getting the young man stabilized. But her best guess is that he fell overboard but that guess is based on finding him in the water near the ship.
Having tried to stay back and beyond the notice of reporters as much as possible, Arnault finds himself striding up as Pheobe administers CPR to Christopher, he dithers about not knowing what to do.
Phoebe manages to stabilize Christopher and one of the crewmen rushes the boy not the ship for the medical office located on the Gabriel.
Moore looks at Meeley, "Any way you can keep that story out of the paper?"
Starkweather assists Phoebe up off of the ground with a look on his face the likes she has not seen before, "Mrs. Barrett. I was very wrong about you, you are worth your weight in what Dr. Moore and I have paid you. Well done".
"I can only think in one way. Give me a better story. Let me join you in your expedition, and write about it."
"I can only think in one way. Give me a better story. Let me join you in your expedition, and write about it."
Starkweather looks at Moore,"Moore I am fine with that. She and Thomas the writer can collaborate".
Moore smiles at Meeley, "It seems you are hired young Lady. We will need to get you on the ship today and outfitted for the proper gear".
Taking the assist up, I would have rather it not nearly costing someone their life to do. Looking back at the Gabriel. But since this is what you pay me for I am going to finish my job. So please excuse me Sir.
Ignoring the soaked clothing Pheobe jogs down the pier and heads to the medical office. to check on Christopher and figure out what happened to the boy.