Jackson Edwards's page

Jackson quickly follows the directions to the mess looking around in excitement at everything that he sees as this is his first visit to a real ship (he has done a bit of sailing on the Chesapeake with school friends but their sailboats don't compare at all to something like the Gabrielle).

Spotting Dr. Moore, Jackson grabs a cup of black coffee and then walks to Moore to let him know that Jackson has arrived and is ready to be put to work.

This is really going to happen Jackson thinks as he scans the note that the clerk handed him. After a quick trip up to his room to clean up and put on fresh clothes, Jackson heads out of the hotel, going out the back way to avoid the reporters. He enjoys watching the crowds as he walks to Pier 74.

Once Jackson reaches the pier, he locates the good ship Gabrielle and goes in search of either Moore or Starkweather or both.

Jackson is tanned, fit and rested after spending a month in the sun working on the ranch. He sees but doesn't really take note of what's going on in the country as he makes the long train trip from Minot's small station, through Fargo, Minneapolis, Detroit, Chicago, Buffalo and finally to Grand Central station in Manhattan. Instead, his mind is full of excitement about the upcoming expedition combined with a bit of worry as he realizes that he is one of only two doctors that will have to keep the group alive and well thousands of miles away from civilization in literally one of the toughest environments on earth.

Arriving in New York, he grabs his duffel bag containing his clothing, his small medical kit and a picture of his fiancé and heads to the Amherst for his date with destiny. Jackson's musings are interrupted when a man with a camera steps into his path as Jackson prepares to enter the hotel and begins to pepper him with questions which are soon joined by variations of the same questions by two other similarly dressed gentlemen. Excuse me please, Jackson says as he pushes towards the door and ignoring the questions enters the peace of the hotel lobby.

Looking around the lobby, Jackson spots a hotel employee and asks, is Mr. Starkweather in the same suite as before? Once he confirms Starkweather's location, Jackson makes his way to the suite and knocks on the door...

Apologies - I'm ready to go as soon as it's September in the game. I assumed you'd let us know.

Sorry about that. Here are links that should work for everybody:

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Thanks...that worked

Very good sir, and thank you again. I look forward to meeting Dr. Greene. I will be back in New York by the end of August. Until then I can be reached at my family's ranch in North Dakota. Jackson writes contact information on a piece of paper torn out of a small notebook that he had in his jacket pocket and hands it to Moore before he leaves the suite.

Jackson shakes Starkweather's hand firmly and with a big smile on his face says I'd be honored to join the expedition sir! He nods at Mr. Moore and adds I look forward to working with you sir.

Jackson turns back to Starkweather, We will need medical supplies. Has the expedition already arranged for those? If so, may I check the list and, if not, may I give you a list of suggested items?

Hmmm...I can sing loud but not too well...I did always like this song...

Jackson begins to loudly and not too far off-key sing...
Frankie and Johnny were sweethearts
They had a quarrel one day,
Johnny he vowed that he would leave her
Said he was going away,
He's never coming home, etc.

Jackson trails off and looks expectantly at Starkweather with a grin on his face. Any specific requests?

[Jackson Edwards]

Starkweather listens to Jackson recount his sporting past with a fierce grin of affirmation, nodding sharply and letting out a bark of laughter at his hopes of being the next Hornsby.

"I hear you, my boy. I too dreamed of glories beyond accounting whenever I took the field, but life has required more meaningful ventures from me than simply striving against another team."

He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pipe and rolled up bag of tobacco. "Now, where we're to venture - those deathless climes, as some poet or other put it - you may indeed be thrown a curveball by Mother Nature herself. How far does your medical knowledge extend to the dangers posed by the Antarctic? Frostbite? Snow blindness? Hypothermia? Have you dealt with these, and know how to treat them?"

Starkweather busies himself with loading his pipe, but shoots Jackson a sharp glance to check his expression as he does so.

Jackson smiles and nods as Starkweather asks his questions about dealing with the dangers of the Antarctic. Well, Mr. Starkweather, folks in the rest of the 48 think of North Dakota as the Antarctic of the states. I know that it's not, but at least after growing up there, cold weather isn't something that's shocking to my system.

Jackson's face grows serious as he answers the questions as if he as being quizzed by one of his professors. Frostbite? Rule 1 is prevention. No exposed skin. Layers of clothing. If frostbite does occur, slowly apply indirect warmth to area. No rubbing and definitely no rubbing it with snow. That an old wife's tale. Snow blindness. Again, number 1 rule is prevention. Everyone must wear tinted goggles. If blindness does occur the optic nerve must have a chance to recover. Keep patient in a dark room, if no dark room is available then wrap eyes in guaze and cover with light proof cloth. Hypothermia. Same rule 1. If hypothermia does occur must raise internal body temperature. Submerging in warm water is fastest, if warm water is not available then bundle in blankets.

[Jackson Edwards]

Mr. Starkweather takes the paper and steps back to the desk, which he leans against as he glances over Jackson's credentials, skimming its contents before handing it to Moore.

"I see you attended a fine school. I myself graduated from Christ Church, Oxford, where I earned a 'Blue' for playing rugby against Cambridge." He says this almost carelessly, as if it's of no real importance to him. "Of course they asked me to stay in Oxford but I declined - I wanted to get out there and do something useful."

Starkweather pauses as he studies Jackson's frame. "You play any sports in school, Mr. Edwards? You look like you're no stranger to the outdoors."

Mr. Moore meanwhile, is carefully reading Jackson's paper, taking his time as he scrutinizes each line and detail, lips pursed in thought.

At Hopkins, no. In high school sure. Football in the fall, basketball in the winter and baseball in the spring. Of course my school was so small all the boys had to play to be able to have a team. I'd say I was a pretty fair country boy player, especially baseball. I played second and thought I was going to be the next Rogers Hornsby, that is until those boys starting throwing curves. I have to admit, never could hit the curve, Jackson finishes with a smile. Lucky for me, surgery doesn't require hitting a curveball.

Misters Moore and Starkweather, pleased to meet you, Jackson says as he shakes hands with Starkweather. I'm Doctor Jackson Edwards from Johns Hopkins, please call me Jack. Thank you for seeing me.

Jackson takes the offered chair and sits down facing the two men. My credentials gentlemen, Jackson says as he passes a piece of paper to Starkweather. As you can see, I have just finished medical school. I believe that I could be an asset to your expedition as both a doctor and a biologist. I have arranged to delay my surgical residency by a year if selected to become part of your team. I am happy to answer any questions you may have.

That's excellent news. Thanks!

I'm curious. If I were willing to run Beyond the Mountains of Madness, would you guys still be willing to play?

Definitely

Jackson Edwards read with interest the stories about the upcoming expediton led by Starkweather and Moore. The news from the Miskatonic expedition a few years ago had fascinated Jackson and now with medical school behind him and a 3 year surgical residence, followed by marriage, family and decades of private practice stretching ahead of him, Jackson saw a chance for one grand adventure. Decision made, he quickly made his way to the Western Union office and drafted a telegram for the expedition leaders.

To: Starkweather & Moore
From: Jackson Edwards, M.D.
Re: Antarctic Expedition
Gentlemen, Would like apply position as expedition doctor STOP Finished top 10 class Johns Hopkins STOP Bachelor degree summa cum laude biology STOP Grew up North Dakota ranch so cold weather experienced STOP References available on request STOP Can leave immediately STOP Request response in care of Johns Hopkins med school STOP