Gene listens with interest to what everyone has to share, but when Dr. Bellwether describes the journal he leans closer, clearly rapt with attention. "I wonder if I could read through that journal of Mr. Croswell's. I realize you're saying that it gets pretty far out, but he's such an expressive author it'd feel like I missed something if I didn't have a chance to read his personal writings. That is if it doesn't feel like it's pushing any boundaries of social norms too far."
With a shake of his head Gene seems to come back to the situation at hand some. "So what do we think the next move is then? Is it time to try to visit the Asylum or do we want to spend more time gathering information? At this point I sort of think that we need to get to Mr. Croswell as soon as we can rather than waiting until we have prefect information, if that makes sense?"
Seeing the trepidation on Dr. Bellwhether's face after discussing even broadly what he learned Stevie interrupts Gene's seeking permission to read Croswell's journal. While I understand your desire to experience some of a favorite author's personal musings, maybe it would be best to wait a bit, at least until we have had the opportunity to determine his current mental well-being.
He pauses to allow either Dorothy or the doctor to comment before adding. It seems from what the doctor has read thus far Croswell's discoveries somewhat unhinged the man's faculties. Right now since you are the most familiar with his works and manners, combined with what Dorothy knows of him personally, you may be the closest we have to an expert on the man. I'd like your initial impressions of him in the asylum to be clear, free of any bias the journal might impart. Does that make since, or am I being irrational myself?
Horton nods at Stevie. "I agree. I think that the writings in this journal could only serve to cloud your thoughts, Gene. Perhaps after we've spoken with Mr. Crosswell would be better."
”After hearing you speak, Doctor, I would not like to read the book,” Dorothy says. ”If it was enough to confound and disturb his mind, it’s better to leave it for now. I’m more concerned with making sure he is getting the help he needs.” She takes out a cigarette and lights it.
”Dr. Bellwether, have you encountered writings of a similar nature before? I’m simply curious.” Dorothy asks. Turning her head, she blows smoke away from the table. ”So then how should we approach the Asylum?”
Gene's shoulders slump a bit as everyone else advises against reading Larry's journal, and it's clear that he's putting on a brave face despite being disappointed. "OK, I'll skip the journal for now. It does make some sense that if I'm going to give an unbiased opinion on Mr. Croswell it might be more easily done with just the knowledge I have now. So our next step is to get in to try to see him, right? As Ms. Crick asks, what's our approach? I'm much less enthusiastic about someone posing as an incoming patient now, but could we bluster our way in by asserting that Dr. Bellwether needing to see Mr. Croswell, or someone else perhaps? Or should we send someone in first to ask outright to see a patient and see where that goes? I don't have much experience with this sort of thing"
Horton smiles at Dorothy, the burned skin of his face gleaming as it stretches. "I have, but not since the war. Some soldiers would keep journals and diaries. Sometimes they were not recovered until after the author's death. I noticed that men who spent excessive amounts of time in the trenches would, over time, begin to seem angrier and less lucid at first, then cold and disaffected later, and would often begin to write about hallucinations. Imagining seeing dancing girls performing in no man's land, or visions of parents and siblings or spouses speaking to one as if they were there. There was one fellow who seemed convinced that the Bible contained coded messages telling the Germans how to win the war." He pauses for a moment, then says, "But I've never, ever seen anything with such detail before. He writes of these places not as if he wants to convince anyone that they are real, but in a matter-of-fact way, the way you or I might write about, say, New York or Boston, the existence of which is indisputable."
Thinking a few moments, Stevie offers up a suggestion, welcoming comment and input from everyone. Could we simply arrive at the asylum and indicate Ms. Crick is an associate of Croswell, as well as a representative of his employer. I feel sure the doctors know he is a published author, and likely something of what he wrote about if they have been treating him appropriately. Pausing, he leans in a bit, conspiratorially.
Dorothy is representing the publisher's interests, Gene acting as one of his editors. The publishing house could have hired Dr. Bellwether to examine Croswell, offering an evaluation concerning his mental condition. The house could be worried his state might adversely affect pending publications, as well as sales for past works.
Sitting back, he closes Myself, well, I came along as a neutral third party.
Gene nods absentmindedly as Stevie speaks, his fingers tapping out their patterns on the table while he thinks through the implications. "I like it on the whole. The only thing that I'm worried about is that if we're right to be worried for Mr. Croswell and Danver's won't cooperate with us then we're showing the people there all of us at once. If we need some sort of backup plan to try to get in and figure out what's going on we won't be able to easily go through the front door with a cover story."
Gene shrugs a bit. "I mean, I'd love to be wrong here, and have this work out perfectly, but if it doesn't, what's the backup plan?"
Dorothy listens, nodding her head in understanding as the conversation progresses. ”I was thinking a good excuse to see him is to say I knew he was going to check himself in, but that I’ve heard nothing since. If they mention the letters, I’ll say I never received any. It won’t be the first time a letter wasn’t delivered. Though it rarely happens.”
She takes a sip of water. ”If we had more time, we could try to identify and interview some of the staff, like the custodians, nurses, or cooks. That’s an excellent point, what would be our backup plan if we all go to the hospital? Plus if they don’t let him leave, we can’t break him out, can we? Where would we go? I don’t have the means to take care of him until he recovers. Plus would the police become involved? Maybe we could call in the feds saying they’re running liquor...though I don’t know what that would accomplish, ultimately.”
Stevie looks at Dorothy and Gene a bit perplexed. My apologies, I misunderstood the situation. My thoughts were we were wanting to check up on Croswell, assure ourselves he was in safe hands, or determine he was not and attempt to arrange his release, perhaps to a better facility.
He glances over to Dr. Bellwether, Doctor, if an adult voluntarily checks himself into a facility like Danvers, what rights do they have to ask for their release. Surely the doctors cannot decide alone that he cannot be released, certainly not without reasonable medical justification. Stevie motions to the counter for a coffee refill.
The facility might stand on formality and demand just cause for our involvement, though I imagine the existence of the letters serves that well enough, nodding to Dorothy. Dorothy I am sure could present herself as a request from the publishing house that Croswell's condition is important, and a fair hearing could be arranged to determine the best course of action for the man, if he truly is too ill to be released.
With a topped off cup and heaping tablespoon of sugar, If Danvers is on the level, they should acknowledge reasonable requests to check on Croswell. If not they likely will not welcome unwanted attention to his plight and may allow a limited visitation with him, and at least a cursory investigation of the facility and grounds. Should they be resistant or belligerent then we will look at what avenues we have to involve ourselves or the authorities further.
Sipping at the coffee, As to a cover story later or a breakout assault on the hospital, I fear I would have to bow out. I have training for such a possibility but certainly no standing, and very much value my freedom. But I think that is jumping the cart for the horse so to speak. A bold, upfront push to see Croswell, confirm his safety, and take a look at the facility is our best option.
Horton gestures for a refill. He thinks for a moment before answering Stevie. "So... the answer is, it depends. If you were to voluntarily check yourself in, and you are a model of good behavior while there, there would normally be no issue with you checking yourself back out. Think of it as a hotel stay, but with medical supervision available, for which you are paying a fair bit of money."
He pauses for a moment, taking a sip of coffee before he continues. "However, if the staff determine during the course of your visit, that you might be a danger to yourself and or others, they can petition a judge to have your stay extended, involuntarily. Much as I dislike saying this... I've heard a few rumors here and there about doctors who have done this in order to keep money coming in. Checking one's self in for rest is not something to be done lightly."
Gene's brow furrows a bit in confusion at the position Stevie lays out. "Hmm. That goal that you're describing doesn't seem to match what we've been doing up until now. If we were just checking in on Mr. Croswell and the facilities, then why were we stopping to break into his appartment, and eventually steal his journal, along the way? Surely that was an action which put your freedom at risk?"
Gene frowns, "The way I see, and the assumption that I've been acting under is that we're starting with the position that the hospital is holding Mr. Croswell against his will. The first letter, the one which seems much more likely to be genuine, points to that. If that's true then we've got a reason to look into the history of the hospital, and find out what we can about Mr. Croswell's mental health before approaching the hospital itself.
"I was also working with the assumption that apparently we don't trust the authorities to act in a way that would protect Mr. Croswell appropriately if that were true. Otherwise we should have just let Ms. Crick take her concerns to the authorities without involving us in the first place.
"Assuming then that we care for Mr. Crowsell's well being, which I was, since why do all this otherwise, I think that having some alternate plan to get into the Asylum to see him in person should the on our plate already. I don't know that we're talking about trying to steal him away from the grounds at this point; if do come to a conclusion that he is in fact not safe where he is, then I think we have to consider what our options and best course of action are again. I think that there's a good chance that involving the authorities then does make sense."
Gene looks up, examining the ceiling as though he'll find answers to whatever questions are passing through his head somewhere above him. It's not clear what he might have seen, but when he looks back he shrugs as he's wont to do. "We are, if Danver's doesn't let us in and we try to find some other means to access increasing our involvement. I think it's to a level that I was expecting from the start, when we'd tossed around the idea of acting as a patient. That doesn't mean that anyone else here had that expectation. If we're crossing a line for riskiness for anyone then I think that backing away would be entirely acceptable."
Dorothy nods her head, meeting each person’s gaze in turn. ”Yes, I’m pleased to see that we are getting clarification about the situation. I’m not asking for anyone to do anything illegal or even to do something against their conscience.”
After a quick glance around the room, ”Thank you, Doctor for explaining the current psychiatric -- or is it psychological? -- law relating to patients and being released from an institution.”
She takes out a pen and a small notebook. “I do have one question, did what you read in Mr. Croswell’s journal in any way have to do with the asylum? I doubt that it did, but I want to be positive.
“Now, how shall we proceed? We have Stevie’s suggestion, which is similar to mine, but are there other ideas?”
Horton shakes his head at Dorothy. "Nothing about the asylum, no." He pauses for a moment. "I am happy to try to... bluff my way in, as a doctor, if it is the preferred option. But since I am not listed as the physician of record for any of their patients, it might not work."
Stevie bows his head to the others, nodding his acquiescence. I will hold back if you prefer, and see how things work out with the first pass of the asylum. Perhaps I can spend some time at the billiard hall, for research purposes naturally.
Gene smiles, thankful. "I hope that I'm getting worried over this for nothing, but I'd feel better if they didn't know us all on sight, just to keep some options open if they're not receptive when we try to visit Mr. Croswell. Thanks! And if you do happen to find Mr. McBride down at the Billiard Hall he might be able to provide insight into the grounds of the asylum as a whole as well as what happened to that granite slab."
Gene looks to the others, eager, "So what do we think, have we got a plan we're happy with? We open with Ms. Crick working for the publisher, follow with Dr. Bellwether talking our way in if that doesn't work, and me along as an editor, or whatever other cover we think would work better on the fly? Hopefully we get in to see Mr. Crosswell and can confirm that he is indeed in good hands, but if not we assess the situation and figure out the next steps to take?"
Leaving the other investigators to finish their dinner Stevie retires to his room with the aim of walking to Franky's Billiard Hall later that evening to ask about Andrew MacBride, the construction worker mentioned in the Danvers Herald newspaper article. It's dark by the time he vacates the Waitley Inn and sets off down the road towards Elm Street. Hanging a left at the junction he heads in a westerly direction and after a few minutes he finds Franky's Billiard Hall.
The place looks like a bit of a dive, with peeling exterior paintwork illuminated by a flickering fluorescent sign. Entering the establishment he finds a few old geezers playing pool in a small room with a counter and a door at the back with a small covered hatch. Behind the counter to the right of the rear door a bartender, fairly well built and in his forties, eyes him suspiciously whilst cleaning a glass.
Nodding and smiling to the bartender he approaches the bar, a slight nod of the head to the older men. Evening good sir. He places a ten spot on the bar, sliding it half the way to the barkeep. You might not have something wet from Canada would you, something to warm away the night's chill. Or an Irish Coffee perhaps. A round for the gentlemen as well. The night is late and my thirst has catching up to do.
He looks around the room, not sure what Andrew MacBride might look like, but gauging any man that might look like a former construction worker.
”A good suggestion Gene. In his first note, which is the one I believe is genuine, Mr. Croswell writes not to visit alone. Would you mind coming with me Stevie? We’ll say that you’re a friend of mine. Gene can pose as his editor with the good doctor.”
She studies the tablecloth for a moment. ”How’s this for a plan, Gene and I do research at the Herald in the morning and then after lunch Stevie and I go to the asylum?”
Stevie will agree to escort Dorothy, if the group decides to have two goes at the asylum. He will still go that evening to the billiard hall to attempt to locate the worker and uncover anything unusual about the moved stone.
Gene nods. "I wouldn't mind poking about in the offices of the Danver Herald in the morning before you head in, and then perhaps I'll stop by the Salem Paranormal Society in the afternoon while you and Stevie try to visit Mr. Croswell. Perhaps Dr. Bellwether will come with me, if he has any questions about the journal he's read, that's probably the first place he might want to ask them."
Gene will pass on the Billiards hall in favor of spending some time studying this evening. Even though he's not on campus, he's still got his game theory research he needs to put time into now and then.
Dorothy says, ”Thank you Stevie. Enjoy playing billiards. I’ll see you gentlemen tomorrow morning. I have short stories to work on. Shall we have breakfast together?” She gets up with a nod of her head and goes to her room.
The next day she heads to the newspaper’s office with Gene. Once there she begins going through index files looking for information on the asylum or Dr. James Berger.
The barman continues to give Stevie suspicious looks. You new in town mister? Ain't seen you before. Got any ID?
Stevie attempts to talk up the bartender and anyone listening, hoping to convince them he represents his employer, the Doc, who has taken an interest in procuring the old stone removed from the asylum. He's hoping one of them might be able to tell him about the stone, or where it went, particularly if he can speak with Andy MacBride. I understand he was part of the crew that moved the carving, and the professor would like to know if it survives, who owns it, and if anything else unusual was discovered in the building of the new amphitheater.
Probably the wrong crowd for being coy.
Maybe a fast pitch, small offer of coin, and a willingness to pay for a round or two to hear about the job as it went down.
If anyone comments indirectly on the matter.
And yes Stevie shows his NY license and Military ID to the bartender, confirming at least his out of town bona fides.
The Doc saw a news article in an old paper and it got him curious. He does mostly out of country digs but from time to time local items pique his interests.
The bartender looks at Stevie's ID and shrugs. You really are new in town ain't you mister. Nope, never heard of no Andrew Macbride. And in case you been sleepin' the last ten years alcohol is prohibited. I got shakes, ginger beer, coffee if you want it.
Stevie will take back his cash, nod to the crowd, then leave the hall and go back to the hotel.
Stevie leaves and takes a moment to light a cigarette before heading back to the hotel. As he throws the lit match down on the sidewalk he hears the door open and looks round to see one of the old geezers who'd been playing pool inside. Hey mister, I know Andy... or knew him. After that amphitheatre business at the asylum he went a bit funny in the head. He's a patient there now. Got himself committed for violent mood swings poor bastard. Hit a cop I believe.
Stevie nods to the man, handing him the money. For your troubles and the information. Much appreciated. I'll let my employer know the stone is likely lost to him. Have a nice night.
Stevie will relate the information to the others in the morning. He'll head back to the inn and retire to his room. Before he turns in for the night he'll go over his kit, clean his weapons, and lay out his most appropriate outfit for the asylum visit, from the small assortment he has available that is.
The next morning Gene frowns when he hears Stevie's report on Mr. MacBride. "That's troublingly in line with the pattern that the old articles and books point to for behavior. I wonder if there's something to that stone." Fidgeting and thinking, he turns to Dr. Bellwhether. "I wonder if you saw anything about a stone or granite disc with strange inscriptions in Mr. Crowswell's journals? If we're seeing this much this about it this quickly, I imagine that he would have come across the stories as well. Did he have anything to say about it that you can recall?"
Horton frowns, looking thoughtful, then shakes his head. "No, Gene. I am sorry, but that doesn't ring a bell. I am happy to go with you to the Paranormal Society, however." He turns to Stevie. "It is hard to say conclusively, but what you've said about the description of Andy's behavior and predicament sounds like a psychotic break. Those are quite rare in adults, and are usually caused by combinations of extreme stress and trauma."
Nodding, I experienced a few men breaking during tight fights in the Alps, but those were exceptional circumstances. The old timer who related the tale indicated Andy'd gotten into a fight with a copper. Not sure if we should attempt to track that story further or not. I don't know how much attention we want to draw to ourselves.
Looking at Gene, Might the paper have covered such a fight? It is a smallish town, they may try to keep such things quiet below the fold, if openly reported at all.
The next day, Friday the 8th of February, the rising sun casts its rays through an ashen sky onto an early morning mist. The winter air is cold and still, the silence only broken by the occasional call of a crow in the distance.
Gene and Dorothy leave the inn and head towards Elm Street. At the junction with Elm Street they turn right and follow the road until it forks into Sylvan Street and Holten Street at the impressive Town Hall. They head up Holten Street to the north of the Town Hall and eventually find the offices of the Danvers Herald.
Once inside they explain what they are after to a somewhat bored looking female receptionist in her mid 20s. Despite her obvious disinterest she is helpful enough and shows them to the newspaper editions archive room.
The filing system is antiquated and it is hard going but eventually they do find a story relating to the asylum.
”There does appear to be something strange about this stone,” Dorothy says to Gene. ”Or at least he sincerely believed it to have some power. His personal and professional papers are at the hospital. Perhaps we could be allowed to see those? If one of us was going to write a biography about him, that might be a means to get access to them.”
Stevie will shower (if possible), shave, and dress in his best outfit for the planned visit to the asylum. He will take breakfast at the most easily accessible place nearby, then wait patiently at the hotel for the others. Should the doctor wish it he will engage in small talk at first, then attempt to find out any particular things he should look for at the asylum, wrong practices, warning signs, maybe how to spot evidence of abuse or trauma the facility may be inflicting rather than the patients arrived suffering.
Horton will also clean, eat up, etc. while waiting for Gene to come back so they can go to the Paranormal Society. For this trip, he will bring his .38 along.
Stevie walks back to the Waitley Inn after a hearty breakfast at Joe's Diner, and sees Ted's Model T parked outside. He finds the cabbie inside. Thanks for the retainer Mr. Barrows, he says, referring to the cash left at the desk for him. Can I take you anywhere?
Stevie asks if Ted would be able to take himself and Dorothy to the asylum later in the day, say 1 PM, returning them to the hotel after. Stevie's willing to pay whatever rate the cabbie feels appropriate for the task and time. My friends changed their plans a bit, taking more time to explore the history of the town. Myself I had tried to find out about the old stone the asylum had removed, if anyone knew whatever became of it. My boss is a bit of a collector, he might try to purchase it if a price is reasonable.
Gene nods, though his eyes are focused up again, rather than looking at Dorothy. "I agree, Ms. Crick, though I don't think that you should bring that up today when you visit with Stevie. Your there to check on Mr. Croswell, both in fact and as a cover story. Hopefully you'll get in to see him and talk with him and this granite slab, whatever it is, will just have to wait. It's possible that should your trip be frustrated we could use the a biography on Dr. Shine, and that collection of papers as a reason to get into the hospital not related to a particular patient, though then we'd have to slip away to search for Mr. Croswell..."
Gene shakes his head and brings his eyes back into focus, looking at Dorothy. "There are too many variables for right now. We're getting lots of pieces into play here, but we need some to fall into place before we can figure out what to do with them I think. We should tell the others about this, Stevie for sure. I know he's not eager to snoop around the Asylum, but if the chance happens to arise while you're there with him, he'd be well equipped to make something of it."
”You’re very right,” Dorothy says. ”I need to keep it simple and not get ahead of myself. One thing at a time. That being said, maybe our good doctor would have an easier time accessing Dr. Shine’s professional papers; as one doctor to another.”
She looks at her wristwatch and sighs ”Our time is about over. I was hoping to find articles about the new doctor. Oh well.”
"On the plus side, if this article is right Dr. Shine thought highly of him, so we may be able to reason with him if we meet him. Unless the granite disk's effect is somehow real and it's changed him from when Dr. Shine would have known him, in which case he'd be part of the potential problem. But in any case, you're right, it's time to head back to meet the others."