"By the way Rita, how did her friend Louise fare in that nasty accident"?
Rita nods and says into the phone:
"So, what happened to Louise after she got oout of hospital ?... Ya don't say."
(surprised) "Ya don't say !"
(gasps in amazement) "Ya don't say !!
.....Ok, bye !
Rita hangs up.
(Off of Fergus look)
"....She didn't say."
There is no train nor bus to Dunwich. You would pretty much need to drive.
Evelyn has quite a bit in unspent assets, perhaps she has a car...
By the time you are having this conversation it is about 1:00pm- 2nd Thursday of March 1928.
It is about an 1 hr and a half to a 2 hour drive to Dunwich. If you packed fairly quickly and got going you could get there late afternoon to early evening. Otherwise you could set out the next day.
Armitage's list did mention a couple of contacts in Aylesbury (including Amos's lawyer). Aylesbury is on the way to Dunwich, so you would be passing through it.
1928 Chrysler Rumble Seat Roadster
"No train? Exactly how back woods is this town?" She looks back and forth from Fergus to Rita seeing the question in their eyes. "No way! You can't be serious." Under their combined looks she breaks, "You promise me not a scratch! Not ONE!" Flustered she begins to gather her coat and things from the office obviously agitated.
Any particular gear that I should know about that anyone plans to take (you know beyond extra clothes, toiletries, sandwiches and such basics)?
Any particular gear that I should know about that anyone plans to take (you know beyond extra clothes, toiletries, sandwiches and such basics)?
In addition to a picnic basket :
Ladies Satchel, umbrella, hat,sunglasses, ladies gloves,pencils,pen & notepads (natch), ladies makeup kit including compact with mirror, hair spray.
A battery torch for each of us (preferably a fairly robust model that could be used as a club in a emergency) + a spare battery for each , hankerchief, pencils,pen & notepads (natch).
Gum, Cigarettes , matches, lighter, ....possibly if room allows: spare set of clothes (including trouser/pants) in case we have to go tramping somewhere dirty.
Oh and a map, a compass, a ball of string, a tape measure,and a magnifying glass - these mainly because Rita thinks that'll make her look more like a "Real" PI.
If there's room for a first aid kit or 20's equivalent - some bandages,& linament and such - (some people being investigated can be rough after all ) we should take one of those too.
You have a map of the state, but there is no accurate map of the Dunwich township to be had.
Any particular gear that I should know about that anyone plans to take (you know beyond extra clothes, toiletries, sandwiches and such basics)?In addition to a picnic basket :
Ladies Satchel, umbrella, hat,sunglasses, ladies gloves,pencils,pen & notepads (natch), ladies makeup kit including compact with mirror, hair spray.
A battery torch for each of us (preferably a fairly robust model that could be used as a club in a emergency) + a spare battery for each , hankerchief, pencils,pen & notepads (natch).
Gum, Cigarettes , matches, lighter, ....possibly if room allows: spare set of clothes (including trouser/pants) in case we have to go tramping somewhere dirty.
Oh and a map, a compass, a ball of string, a tape measure,and a magnifying glass - these mainly because Rita thinks that'll make her look more like a "Real" PI.If there's room for a first aid kit or 20's equivalent - some bandages,& linament and such - (some people being investigated can be rough after all ) we should take one of those too.
Wear: Slacks, White Shirt, tie overcoat
Pack in suitcase: Vestments, jeans and flannel shirt, Camera, 100 year old bible, silver crucifix.
Also take $100.00 cash on waist belt.
Clothes: Dress hair comb, Velour coat with fur trim, Silk hose (6 pair), Snug velour hat, 2x Leather one-strap slippers, Rayon Elastic Corset, Cotton crepe negligee, 4x Silk Crepe Frocks, Worsted Wool Sweater, Silk handbag, Handle Bag, Driving gloves, Sunglasses
Folding pocket camera, Film (6 exposures) x5, Forceps, Scalpel Set, alcohol (half gallon), Hard Rubber Syringe, Steamer trunk (sized for car), Watchmaker's toolkit, magnifying glass, fine art brushes, Art reference books, 250-power microscope, Makeup kit, Umbrella, 2x Self-filling fountain pen, 2x Writing tablets, and Women's Toilet Set (15 pieces)
$50.00 cash in handbag
You have a map of the state, but there is no accurate map of the Dunwich township to be had.
Thats fine, thats the sort of map I was thinking of.
"Rita, you can keep your things in the steamer trunk along with mine if you would like? There is enough room."
"Why, thank you Evelyn, that would be great."
Rita puts the spare clothes in the trunk but the lighter bits and pieces (makeup, hairspray, lighter, Torch, etc) in the satchel to keep with her.
So when do you want to head out?
Well given that it's not too late in the day I'll assume you start out. If you decide it's getting late and you don't want to show up in Dunwich in the evening you can stay the night in the larger town of Aylesbury and head to Dunwich the next morning.
It continues to rain, and you drive west out of Arkham. You follow the Aylesbury pike for about 50 miles. It more or less follows the course of the Miscatonic river and heads in a northwesterly direction. The road is wet but decent and Evelyn's new roadster performs well. Evelyn drives, Fergus sits in the passenger seat and Rita is in the back.
It's about 5 pm when you reach the town of Aylesbury. From there you will need to get on some back roads and head north to Dunwich, which you reckon is about 8 or so miles from Aylesbury.
Aylesbury is a pretty small town, a milling town that was established in the early 1800s. Its mills have been in decline for many years, and it is not the thriving place it once was. The smells from the mills, which are built along the river assault your sense as you drive into town. You find yourselves starting to feel hungry.
"I suggest we stop in Aylesbury for the night and get something to eat. Also, we might want to wait for this rain to pass before we travel those back roads. We have a few contacts to talk to here before we head into the back country, right?" She is obviously still keen on protecting her new ride as much as possible.
I'll assume that the others will want food, and since you're the driver...
Evelyn cruises down the main street of Aylesbury. It has several storefronts but most of them are just closing. You see plenty of shopkeepers pulling in signs and locking up. Soon you spot a diner- "Mel's Place."
There are several cars in the small parking lot in front. It looks like as good as spot as any.
You pull into the parking lot, and head into the diner. The place is pretty busy. It seems to be popular among locals and it is getting around the dinner hour. There are still booths available and a waitress greets you and offers you one. She looks to be in her mid thirties. She has long hair that is flat and not very flattering. Her butt is large. She seems a little tired, but is pretty efficient and asks you for a drink order while she hands you menus.
She folds her umbrella just outside after shaking the rain from it and waits for Fergus to take and hang her coat. Once sitting at the booth she responds to the waitress, "I'll take a lemonade and there is a big tip in it for you if you can answer a few questions about the local area when you get a break."
She smiles, "A big tip eh? I don't hear those words very often around here. Lemonade it is, and sure I'll answer some questions. You can ask me as soon as I get back with your drinks. These other folks can wait. They're all locals, and most of them are lousy tippers anyhow."
Once the waitress has gone to get the drinks Rita whispers
"Geez, this is boredom city here. D'ya think Dunwich will be woirse ?"
The waitress returns promptly with your drinks.
"My name's Mary by the way." she says as she places the drinks on the table.
"What is it that you folks want to know?"
Hello, Mary. My name is Evelyn, this is Rita and Fergus. We just drove in from Arkham. We're reporters from the Arkham Advertiser looking to do some stories on the towns, commerce, and local countryside of this area. We are looking for a comfortable place to stay for the night. Do you have any suggestions?
Anything interesting going on in town lately?
Do you perchance know where The Aylesbury Transcript is located?
How about the State Police Post?
She'll get Rita to pull out the map and ask about the road conditions in the direction of Dunwich without actually naming or pointing out the town.
Lastly, she'll ask whether Mary knows Peter Markovitch as he is a local attorney who possibly has a story lead.
Mary proves to be pretty knowledgeable about Aylesbury and eager to help out (thanks to the prospect of a big tip). She tells you about a motel called the Riverside that's not too far away, and she gives you directions to the various people you wanted to talk to. She doesn't know Markovitch, but is able to tell you where his office is.
The road conditions north of Aylesbury are pretty bad, especially at this time of the year. She is curious why you'd want to head up that way and suggests you not.
Hello, Mary. My name is Evelyn, this is Rita and Fergus. We just drove in from Arkham. We're reporters from the Arkham Advertiser looking to do some stories on the towns, commerce, and local countryside of this area. We are looking for a comfortable place to stay for the night. Do you have any suggestions?
Anything interesting going on in town lately?
Do you perchance know where The Aylesbury Transcript is located?
How about the State Police Post?
She'll get Rita to pull out the map and ask about the road conditions in the direction of Dunwich without actually naming or pointing out the town.
Lastly, she'll ask whether Mary knows Peter Markovitch as he is a local attorney who possibly has a story lead.
The road conditions north of Aylesbury are pretty bad, especially at this time of the year. She is curious why you'd want to head up that way and suggests you not.
Upon hearing about the road conditions Evelyn doesn't have to feign her reaction, "That's what I was afraid of." Than obviously catching Fergus' eye she rolls her own up to the ceiling, "Yes yes, I know. What the editor wants the editor gets." Looking a little pensive, "Well we are trying to visit some of the local towns. Some of the backwaters you don't normally hear about. Why? Is there more reason not to head out there this time of year. Maybe then they will listen to reason."
"Now Evelyn, Don't worry, I'm sure if you just drive slowly everything will be fine".
Father Garrity scans the menu quickly looking for something that might not upset his already queasy stomach, and settles on the Liver and Onions. He also gets up and excuses himself and while away takes a moment to take a couple of quick swigs from his ever present flask, silently thankful that he is not behind the wheel.
When he returns he listens as Evelyn asks questions of the perky waitress. Wow she's really good at this kind of thing, he thinks to himself.
The waitress's face goes dark and grim for a moment and she shakes her head sadly.
"I'd just stay away from Dunwich if I were you. It's a strange and bad place. Weird things happen up there and the people don't particularly like outsiders. My cousin was a state trooper. Last September he was sent up there to investigate some farm that had been destroyed with four other troopers, all good Aylesbury men. All of them were killed. The coroner said they were all killed by a lightning strike, but I don't believe that. I don't know what happened to them, but it was no lightning. All the funerals were closed casket and it really shook this town up. Now there's about a dozen kids growing up in this town that no longer have a dad. If you're looking for a story find out what really happened to those men."
The road conditions north of Aylesbury are pretty bad, especially at this time of the year. She is curious why you'd want to head up that way and suggests you not.Upon hearing about the road conditions Evelyn doesn't have to feign her reaction, "That's what I was afraid of." Than obviously catching Fergus' eye she rolls her own up to the ceiling, "Yes yes, I know. What the editor wants the editor gets." Looking a little pensive, "Well we are trying to visit some of the local towns. Some of the backwaters you don't normally hear about. Why? Is there more reason not to head out there this time of year. Maybe then they will listen to reason."
]Nice one Evelyn,wouldn't have thought of that
Evelyn looks aghast but still takes out her writing pad and pen and jots down some quick notes, "Why that's terrible. Knowing these two that's just the kind of story that ensures we visit that town." Seemingly resigned, " We'll see what we can find out for you. Is there anyone here in town you suggest we talk too before we head out there? Someone who knows the area well, possibly."
Rita scribbles a note. "I'm sorry to hear about your cousin, thats terrible news. Were you close ? " She hands Mary a hankie and looks sympathetic.
"I'm sure we can keep our eyes open for you, its the least we can do. I don't suppose you could tell us the name of the farm ?"
Rita pulls out the state map ... pretends not to have heard of the Frye farm, and then asks if she knows where it is on the map (roughly)
"People from Aylesbury generally don't go up to Dunwich unless they absolutely have to. There might be a couple of people in town who know the place well, but I couldn't tell you who they are."
]Nice one Evelyn,wouldn't have thought of that
Evelyn looks aghast but still takes out her writing pad and pen and jots down some quick notes, "Why that's terrible. Knowing these two that's just the kind of story that ensures we visit that town." Seemingly resigned, " We'll see what we can find out for you. Is there anyone here in town you suggest we talk too before we head out there? Someone who knows the area well, possibly."
"My cousin and I weren't overly close, but he was still family. I don't know the name of the farm. We were never given many details about the whole incident. The police would know. Listen, I've got some other customers I need to see to now. If you really need more questions answered I can talk to you more after my shift."
Rita scribbles a note. "I'm sorry to hear about your cousin, thats terrible news. Were you close ? " She hands Mary a hankie and looks sympathetic.
"I'm sure we can keep our eyes open for you, its the least we can do. I don't suppose you could tell us the name of the farm ?"
Rita pulls out the state map ... pretends not to have heard of the Frye farm, and then asks if she knows where it is on the map (roughly)
"You've been more than helpful. Thank you so much." Unless the others have more questions, when they leave, Evelyn will leave a $5.00 tip with a napkin wrapped around it that she scribbled the note We'll look into it on.
Where to next?
Evelyn looks to the others, "Since it's late I suggest we go to the Riverside Hotel and get some rooms. We'll have a fresh start in the morning."
Well then for the sake of keeping the game moving, I think the investigators can do just that. It's still rainy, and holing up in a hotel room(s) isn't a bad idea. The Riverside is aptly named, as it is built alongside the Miscatonic river. In fact, your room has a window that gives a good view of the river, which has always had an eerie beauty to it.
The rooms are adequate. The only real complaint you have is the smell of the mills, which seems to waft down into your rooms.
The night passes uneventfully. It rains through the night, but the next morning you awaken to a day that is cloudy, but not raining.
Evelyn waits down in the lobby area after hopefully getting a cup of coffee from the front office and talks to the clerk about what's been going on in town lately until the others arrive. When they do she asks, "Good morning! So where would you like to start?" said with relatively good cheer.
"Good morning Evelyn, Rita" Fergus greets the pair with a friendly smile. "I trust you slept well". "I always sleep deeply when I go to bed with the sound or rain".
"Might I suggest since we are already in Aylesbury we do a bit of research here first". "This will also give the roads time to dry a bit". "Maybe we could start at the Aylesbury Transcript office". "They might could also give us the scoop on Capt. Miller, and Mr. Markovitch, before we meet up with them".
"Then after that we could go visit Capt. Miller, and from there go see Mr. Whately's attorney before leaving later this afternoon for Dunwich".
"What do you two think"?
"That sounds good to me, Fergus" Rita takes a gulp of her coffee " plus if we're going to see the attorney we'll need as much information as we can get, as he's not exactly going to be sympathetic to us... mind you,now I think about it, dontcha think maybe we should see him after a visit to Dunwich, like maybe we don't wanna tip him off we're askin' around ?"
Well it looks as though everyone is in favour of going to the transcript first, and then you can discuss whether you want to try to make an appointment with Amos's attorney after that or whether you would rather wait.
The Aylesbury transcript office is a little off of Aylesbury's main street, not far from their public library. It is open regular business hours Monday through Friday. Today is Friday.
You arrive shortly after the office opens. As you walk inside you can clearly see that it is a small local paper. There is a small waiting area just inside the door, and as you walk in a bell rings. You see a receptionist desk, and a woman with her hair in a bun and glasses is busy on a typewriter. Behind her are many filing cabinets, as well as a few other desks and cubicals that belong to other staff. Beyond that is a door that says Editor.
The receptionist looks up from her type writer.
"Can I help you?"
OOC: He only dresses as a priest on occasion. Mostly cheap suits or wool trousers and cardigan. He was a Catholic priest.
Evelyn tends to defer to Rita and Fergus in most "official" communications. You get her comfortable with someone like the waitress and she'll talk all day. So she is defering......
The door to editor's office suddenly bursts open, and man comes storming out, and he slams the door shut behind him. He has a coat on, and the collar is turned up. He also has a hat on, which results in the features of his face being rather obscured.
He stomps past the secretary. His head is down, and he's muttering under his breath. He doesn't even seem to notice Evelyn and crashes into her shoulder as he passes, and steps out the door.
As she stumbles and falls to one knee with the man continuing on his way ignoring her she gets herself up and says, "You sir are a cur." Whirling around to the secretary the incident bringing her to life, "and who was that rude man?!"
Rita smiles sympathetically at the woman on the desk. "What a dreadful man. Does he come in here often ? Don't tell me he works here ?"
She helps Evelyn dust herself off.
= "Anyway, my friends and I are here as we're writing a series of pieces about policemen who have died in the line of duty for our local paper. I understand there was an incident a few years back in a small village near here. We were wondering if you might have any information on it ? I think the place is called ..." Rita pretends to look at her notepad "Dun-wich ?" . She smiles encouragingly.
The secretary stands up, frowns towards the door, and then looks at Evelyn.
"I'm so sorry mam. Are you okay? That was Mr. Jameson; he's Mr. Daniel's son in law, and no he doesn't work here. Thank god."
she then whispers.
"The two of them don't get on so well. They seem to have a lot of rows, though this one looks as if it were a bit worse than most."
Her face goes dark at the mention of Dunwich and the dead police officers.
"Well that incident was only last September, so make sure you get your facts right if you're writing an article. What paper are you folks with?"
Rita smiles sympathetically at the woman on the desk. "What a dreadful man. Does he come in here often ? Don't tell me he works here ?"
She helps Evelyn dust herself off.
= "Anyway, my friends and I are here as we're writing a series of pieces about policemen who have died in the line of duty for our local paper. I understand there was an incident a few years back in a small village near here. We were wondering if you might have any information on it ? I think the place is called ..." Rita pretends to look at her notepad "Dun-wich ?" . She smiles encouragingly.
.