Robert Douglas’ Will.P1
New Character Intro:
Richard- 24 April, 1922: Riche was in the 2pm SEU presentation
audience (2pm Scheduled Meeting: https://wjr5oakley.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-minds-eyep2.html)
when Essie took the podium to describe their discoveries at Kizzah, Iraq. “No, we
don’t care about the artifacts you found. We’re more interested in the unknown
you encountered. Tell us about that.” Over the next months, Richard made it a
point to find Essie and the others to pick their brains.
At one point, Essie caught Riche staring at her missing pinky
finger, which she quickly tried to hide. Riche apologized, “I’m sorry. Did it
hurt when it happened?” Essie gave a vague description of the event. It was
Phillip who as usual told the whole truth, “It was a drug injected sniper who
shot off her finger when she tried to offer simple food. German Brownshirts had
taken over the town of my beloved. Their leader a sorcerer who found an occult
tome with potions to possibly create super-soldiers for some uprising German fanatic
named Hitler.” [https://wjr5oakley.blogspot.com/2022/10/grim-occupationp1.html]
Essie was a native French girl along with Phillip’s fiancée Marina
and her grandfather Pierre Beaumont. Phillip and Peter only knew a little
French. As the weeks and encounters went on, the men had to keep interrupting, “Can
you please talk in English.”
Jimmy: 25 April, 1922, 6:45pm… https://wjr5oakley.blogspot.com/2022/12/the-minds-eye-conclusion.html)
Jimmy stood at the warehouse window as Essie approached his work crew loading
the next bootleg shipment. He listened at a distance and even saw the trio later
speed away in pursuit of an old truck careening through the street.
Weeks later Jimmy was in the same warehouse 2nd floor office
going over the books when he saw the same black Chrysler F58 pull up to his
warehouse. He watched the driver get out, dressed in a black trench coat and
light a cigarette which illuminated a familiar face. Jimmy pushed away from his
desk and proceeded downstairs to intercept the man about to enter, “You must be
lost.” Peter casually replied, “No, I think I’m where I want to be in such…dry
conditions. Parched lips, I thought I might get something to wet my whistle.” Peter
would have pushed passed the smaller man, but realized his fine cloths and
posture was out of place for normal bootleggers. “I think I’ve found the man I
was looking for. I’m looking for a connection… I’d like to form a relationship
for future services.”
Jimmy was still trying to read the man, “What can you offer in
return? You have police and magistrate connections?” Peter offered, “You scratch
my back, I yours.” Jimmy noticed the bulges under the man’s armpits and
recognized holstered guns, which made him apprehensive. [Psychology-failed.
Push- pass] Jimmy was just about to call for his boys when he finally read the
man’s body-language. Peter offered his business card which only re-stoked Jimmy’s
concerns, “Investigators?! Of what?” Peter explained he and his partner Phillip’s
mundane cases around the city, “But lately we’ve encountered even more weird
cases.” Peter opened his well-worn journal and let Jimmy see an entry about a Ziggurat
in Iraq. [https://wjr5oakley.blogspot.com/2022/09/armored-angelsp1.html]
But while Peter tried to point out the unusual entries of monsters
and aliens, Jimmy saw the partial list of priceless archaeological artifacts.
Working with a PI around town wasn’t sounding too interesting, but someone who
had access to such undiscovered wealth?! Surely his bosses would be interested.
Their concluding handshake became a macho match off: Peter gripped as hard as
he could to intimidate, while Jimmy knew himself outmatched and thus tried to
use his own better dexterity to twist the PI’s arm behind his back. Jimmy
winched in pain per his failure. As they went their separate ways, they
exchanged contact info and scheduled regular meetups, "To future dealings, may we all find reward."
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Essie
Vance [Whitney]:
36yo suffers from Taphephobia (fear of being buried
alive or of cemeteries). She recently picked up Insane Constitution
(spend 10 Luck to gain a CON bonus die). And lately, she acquired Notomania
(compulsion to collect everything). |
|
Peter
Graves [Jordan]:
38yo suffers Onomatomania (irresistible desire to
repeat certain words). He got over his psychosis (seeing his dead parents) but,
in the process, now suffers Agathomania (pathological
kindness). |
|
Phillip
Vance [Aaron]:
32yo suffers from Arachnophobia (fear of spiders) and
frayed nerves that require Liquid Courage (suffers penalties
when his flask of alcohol runs dry). Then there is his recently acquired, Geotomania (obsession with witches and
witchcraft). |
|
Jimmy Skora [Graham]: 20yo Conman nicknamed ‘the
Squirrel”. Disowned by his wealthy family per his college pranks and
swindling that got his expelled and dishonored. Now uses his educational
background as conman and ‘face’ for the mob looking for new territory. He’s
connected to Peter, each “scratching the other’s back”. Peter’s link to the
police and Jimmy to the underworld. Suffers Xanthophobia (fear
of the color yellow or the word). |
|
Richard
Richelieu [Jon]:
22yo Dilettante aristocrat born and raised in France. Mother died at his childbirth
(father blamed Riche), his older sister married and gone, now his father dead…
the man who was his focus considering Riche tried to appease him at every
turn. Now without family or focus, Riche moved to America for a purpose in
life. And the mystical society at MU provides the thrill and excitement he
craves. And hopefully his new acquaintances help him experience the unknown
he has only read about. |
16 Apr, 1923: A year since they had originally met. Dinner at Phillip’s house
since Marina wanted to entertain the new found friends, especially another
Frenchman, Richard. It was tight quarters in what was once a bachelor pad, now
turned family house what with Phillip’s proposal and wedding planned months
ahead. Her grandfather Pierre Beaumont cradled little Anna in his lap as the
others tipped their glasses. Peter pestered Pierre to help translate Essie’s
and Riche’s conversation, before Essie excused herself to the kitchen to help
Marina at the stove.
Once gathered at the dinner table, after a toast, and before
everyone done eating, Essie brought up the subject of the letter she received
from Ellen Douglas.
|
Robert Douglas was best man at Essie and Richard
Vance’s 1906 wedding. And years later, Richard was best man at Robert and
Ellen’s wedding. You remained best friends, trading Christmas cards. It is
now 1923 when Essie receives the invite to the reading of Robert’s will, in
Timmins, Ontario. Strange that the Douglas’s didn’t send their usual
Christmas card last December. And what’s this about Timmins, Ontario? Last Essie
heard, they lived in Calgary, Canada. |
“Phillip, you’re mentioned in this letter, but I was wondering if anyone else would like to join us on a trip north into Canada? A dear friend’s husband, Robert Douglas, passed away and she asks for my and Phillip’s attendance. The letter is dated almost 2 weeks ago. It just came in today’s mail delivery. We missed the funeral which was yesterday, but we need to be there this Thursday, 19th for the reading of his will. Ellen is distraught and mentions a package Robert left for Phillip.”
7pm: Obviously, Peter agreed as he was engaged to Essie. Richard asked if he could join, “I could have Claude drive us there.”
And that’s when Jimmy chimed in, “Three days till the reading and over 800 miles as the crow flies. Unless Claude can drive like a bat out of hell, not to mention questionable roads in Canada, and few gas stations… at least a week drive. I’ve another proposition.”
He pulled out an advertisement, “I actually
have business in Canada myself. There is airship service station just outside
of Boston that has started up service into Canada. Perhaps we can catch a ride
on it.” Cheers and clink of glasses announced everyone’s approval. “We should
pack and drive to Boston tonight.” Jimmy interrupted, “It says they started
service back in February. I can’t guarantee where the airship is now. There’s a
phone number on the ad, let’s call.”
[Luck] that the Chandler Aviation ticket office was still
open. “You are in luck sir. The Terra Nova is actually here about to turn around tomorrow.
Flight leaves at 8am sharp. Five tickets? To Timmins? Two doubles and 2 single
berths? That will be $202 cash after taxes. Please be here at least by 7am so
we can load your luggage.” Richard offered to pay for all, “Now that we have
time, come, join me at my penthouse so we can stretch our legs and celebrate.”
Essie was the only one to notice Marina slighted by the comment that implied
her house (about to be her house) not good enough. Essie excused herself, “You
boys go along as I’ll help Marina clean up after such a fine dinner and
evening.” Richard was clueless at his gaffe. Peter quickly understood as he
rolled up his sleeves, “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll stay to help
also.” Phillip offered, “Maybe after we clean up, Marina could come too.
Pierre, would you mind watching Anna?”
 |
 |
Only then did Richard understand and get on the phone. A
quick conversation before he announced, “My staff is coming over to clean up.
Come, let us go now and celebrate for our wonderful hostess tonight. Come view
the skyline of Arkham.” He took Marina’s arm and led her out the door to the
waiting car as Claude opened the passenger door for them. Phillip stood frozen
with a jealous look on his face. Then quickly rushed to climb in beside Marina.
0530, 17 Apr: Early morning rise and pack for the drive to Chandler Aviation just outside Boston. Richard’s personal driver, Claude, at the wheel (of the 1920 Rolls Royce Silver Torpedo) despite Peter’s insistence he drive. Once they arrived at Chandler Aviation field, they marveled at the size of the airship and the hanger behind it where it obviously stored during weather and long downtimes. From a distance, it looked like ants swarming around the airship.
When they got closer, they recognized
crewmembers loading cargo and readying a car-ladder to load the passengers.
Peter and Richard walked to the ticket booth attached to the outside of the
hanger as the others rode in the car closer to the airship to transfer their
luggage. Crewmen in smart uniforms silently labored with the bags as riggers
held ropes that had been spooled out of the side of the airship to help
maintain control. The nose of the airship tethered to a tower via a huge ring
and clamp. Claude waved goodbye before driving back to Arkham to manage his
boss’s penthouse.
None had seen an airship before. They marveled at its design:
a. Features:
1)
550ft length with unique design of 8 fins at
tail.
2)
Gondola (control cab) with 3 external engines
and internal cabins (4 singles and 4 doubles), dining area, bar.
3)
Dining and bar area surrounded with large glass
windows for viewing landscape (gorgeous North Cascades).
4)
Seven enormous gasbags within its frame.
5)
Engines can be shut down in flight to be
serviced.
6)
Effective ceiling is lower than most maintain
ranges and much lower than the tops of major storms.
b. Layout:
1)
Entry hatch starboard side opens into wardroom.
2)
Forward: short passage past radio room and
galley side rooms. Front is navigation and control cabin.
3)
To the rear of the wardroom: Passenger quarters
either side then a locked door access to the crew area.
Essie chatted with a crewmember who looked like he was
supervising the actions, “Excuse me, is it safe to fly?” Lt Donald Bambury
assured her, “The Terra Nova is a surplus from the Germans after the
Great War. She is most surely safe. No threat of icebergs that befell the
Titanic, nor snow avalanches that block train tracks, nor lack of gas stations
and paved roads that stop cars in their tracks. We fly above all that. We can
even stop an engine inflight to repair or oil as we continue toward our
destination. I assure you mam, the Terra Nova is the safest mode of
travel you will find. Now if you will please climb aboard, you can enjoy the
scenery as we liftoff. And enjoy the comforts of our dining room and bar. Sit
back and relax.”
All Aboard: Access to the gondola was via a ladder attached to a car parked underneath. Crewmembers silently lifted the suitcases aboard and then helped the passengers climb. Luggage was stored in their berths. Richard took a double berth for himself and left the others to figure out who had which rooms. Essie took a single and Jimmy won the coin flip for the other.
Essie changed out of
her dress into her trousers and joined the others at the observation windows to
witness lift off. An exciting 1st time experience that quickly grew boring for Richard
who had toured much of Europe via trains much like the Orient Express. He
retired to the dining room for tea and biscuits while the others split their time
between the bar and dining room for their 8-hour flight north to Montreal.
Richard settled beside Peter who opened his journal to tell
their story crossing the Atlantic aboard the HMS Adriatic. Which involved encounters
with serpentfolk. At least that kept Richard entertained. As for Jimmy, he
toured as much of the airship allowed. Turned away from the forward control
cabin and stopped by the locked door to the crew area.
Upon arrival at Montreal, Richard was annoyed at the delay,
"I thought you said the airship could fly through the night?” Lt Bambury
explained, "Sir, this is both cargo and passenger service so yes we do have
stops here in Montreal and also Ottawa, which is a stopover for the night.”
That announcement annoyed even more, “The advertising says you could fly
through the night!” Bambury left to supervise unloading operations. Within an
hour, they were once again airborne and on their way to Ottawa.
5PM, 17 Apr, Ottawa: They landed in
Ottawa (no hanger, only a tethering pole and 2-dozen riggers grabbing the
lowered rigging lines released from the airship) and were asked to deplane and
find their own hotel. Jimmy tried to watch the cargo unloading process for his
own purposes. He even tried to peek at the manifest Banbury held. He finally
exited and went to the small ticket hut to ask the agent about cargo services.
While the agent was looking up the phone number (AA-1356) for his boss, George Pumpkin,
Richard arrived in his arrogant aristocratic posture. The attendant quickly
focused on Richard (forgetting about Jimmy’s request) and called for a taxi and
the best hotel in town (individual rooms for all).
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6PM: Richard flipped a gold $25 coin to
the ticket agent when a limo arrived to whisk them to the finest hotel. Essie
tried to hide within the cluster of men as she felt out of place in her
trousers in such a grand lobby of a ritzy hotel. After changing and freshening
up, Essie suggested, “Let’s tour the city and find something nice. Dinner on
me.” She refused the others’ offers to help pay. Jimmy offered his excuses, “It’s
been a long day and I think I’ll stay in my room for a nap.”
As for Essie’s plan: walking distance of their hotel was
still the expensive part of town. She finally selected something she thought
she could afford and stepped inside. She stoically ate with laughter and glee
and hid her gulp when presented the bill. She had to pull out every dollar she
had brought along to cover the tab. At least she let the others pay the tip.
0800, 18 April, Ottawa: Another early
departure but this one more violent as a sudden gust of wind lifted the airship,
knocking Philip to the floor of the observation deck. At least Essie held on tight
and noticed one of the riggers still holding on to his rope and being lifted
off the ground, “Oh God, someone help the poor man.” Peter thought she was
talking about Richard so he gave him a hand. But as they all noticed Essie
glued to the window with eyes wide, they quickly realized her meaning. Essie
rushed forward to find Lt Bambury to tell him, with Richard close behind. Jimmy
rushed towards the back of the airship hoping to find some way to help the poor
man (maybe reel in the line). Peter was close behind. Phillip was rubbing his
rump undecided in action.
Essie quickly found Lt Donald Bambury and explained the situation, “You need to land now as there is a man holding on for dear life!” Donald’s emotionless matter-of-fact reply, “Holding on? Not for long.” Essie was shocked and grabbed Donald’s collar to repeat, “Did you not hear me?! He’s about to fall off.” Donald calmly answered, “That happens.” Richard arrived and worked his way past the 2 of them to get to the control room. Donald tried to protest but had Essie in his face. Richard burst open the door and repeated the same sighting and got the same cold response from the captain, “Not for long. Now please, return to your seat or the bar but let us fly this ship.” Meanwhile, Philip finally stood and joined the others at the front of the gondola. He witnessed Essie pulling a knife on Donald in a threatening manner.
Meanwhile, Jimmy dashed to the rear of the airship and stopped at the locked door just beyond the passenger berths. He pulled out his tools to unlock it and continued down a narrow plank passage, between huge bags (each filled with 10K cubic ft of combustible hydrogen gas).
Peter was soon at
his heels, following along the narrow plank. Crewmen either side of them,
ignored their presence as they reeled in the loose lines from takeoff). They continued
rearward In search of a cross plank to access the engine on the port (left) side
of the ship.
After climbing a short flight of stairs, Jimmy and Peter
arrived at a cross plank. The roar of the airship’s engines confirmed they
where they needed to be. No crewmen reeling in these lines. Peter instructed, “You
try reeling him in while I open the door and see if I can reach him from the
engine rigging.” The smallest, weakest member of the team left to reel in a
taunt line! Jimmy did not have the strength to reel in the heavily laden rope
all by himself. But he did spot a gaff-hook near the door.
Jimmy locked the pulley gear to save the few feet of rope he
had actually reeled in, then joined Peter. Peter laid on his belly on a plank
walkway attached to the external engine. The taunt rope 4-5 feet in front of
him, just out of reach. Jimmy handed the gaff-hook, “Snag the line and maybe we
both can pull him up and in.” Peter strained to hear the new instructions as
all sounds drowned out by the roar of the engine and the rush and buffeting of
50-60mph winds.
[I had Essie roll for the poor man’s Luck (50), while
Richard rolled for his strength (50) to hold on. Richard rolled 000 (Fumble),
while Essie rolled 55. The man lost hold of the rope and fell. Unlucky for his
feet to NOT tangle in the rope as he fell.]
Jimmy and Philip coordinated their actions trying to pull
the rope within hands reach so they could start pulling the man upwards. But
the rope suddenly went slack and began slapping against the side of the
airship. Horror In their realization the man had just fallen off the rope!
TO BE CONTINUED: https://wjr5oakley.blogspot.com/2023/03/robert-douglas-willp2.html
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