Red Scare Mystery - Chapter One

[Bob]

Interesting, difficult choice, should we look for the congressman and mayor, or procceed upstairs?

First I would like to instill courage in Officer Fields.

Second I would like to look at the general direction where the dog was barking.

I would also like to know who owns the dog.

Officer Harrison instills courage into Officer Fields. Then, he looks out accross the street. The dog appeared to be barking at the Alabatha Department Store. King (the dog) belongs to Ralph and Valerie Jenkins.

Well, I'll go upstairs while you investigate the dog.

I'd like to follow Dolores upstairs, leading the Councilman and the Judge if I can.

The group then heads upstairs and out of the rain. There is a door blocking the way to the third floor, with another note on the door. On the second floor, however, there's a bed, as well as a few cabinets, a radio, a few shelves, a bookcase, and a rug. The room appears to have been occupied, but abandoned during the general panic of the communists in town.

There is the sound of creaking upstairs, and then the sound of a window breaking. The noise then stops.

"Perhaps we should ride out the storm in here." Chief Phelps suggests.

I would like to go inspect the boxes in front of the hotel

Before heading upstairs, Valerie checks the boxes in front of the hotel. There is a key to the upstairs, but that has already been found. There's nothing else useful in the boxes.

[CMP]

I'd like to take a quick headcount, read the note aloud, and return to guarding Ackerson and Cain.

[def]

Obviously, I want to search the cabinets, but also, I want to check the reading list on the bookshelf, and the station the radio is tuned to.

[sok117]

After going back inside of the hotel, I will go to the second floor and check under the rug for any clues.

[Bob]

I'd like to take a quick headcount, read the note aloud, and return to guarding Ackerson and Cain.

Officer Fields counts seventeen people here. Those missing are the Congressman and Mayor Bradford. He then takes the note:

"Ted-

If you're reading this, you've found the key outside. Sorry I had to leave in a hurry. This odd lookin' guy left too, I didn't like him. His room was on the floor below you. Anyway, your door is locked, and you've got the key. There's only two keys to the room, and I got one of them, so if you lost yours that's tough luck.

-Frank"

Obviously, I want to search the cabinets, but also, I want to check the reading list on the bookshelf, and the station the radio is tuned to.

Dolores checks the cabinets. There's a few articles of clothing. There's a few books on the shelf, as well as a few photographs of the town. The books include a few American classics. The station is tuned to static, as if the station doesn't exist anymore.

After going back inside of the hotel, I will go to the second floor and check under the rug for any clues.

Valerie checks underneath the rug. There's dust and a piece of paper.

[JCC1004]

I would like to look under the loose floorboards.

[brickme]

I would like to grab the piece of paper, read it out loud, then put it in my pocket for safekeeping.

Then I will attempt to open the next door with the same key.

If that doesn't work I would like to look out the window at the department store.

I would then like to poll the group to see if we should break down the next door or just stay here for now.

[Bob]

I would like to look under the loose floorboards.

There's no loose floorboards in the room currently. Unless you're refering to the ones downstairs?

I would like to grab the piece of paper, read it out loud, then put it in my pocket for safekeeping.

Then I will attempt to open the next door with the same key.

If that doesn't work I would like to look out the window at the department store.

I would then like to poll the group to see if we should break down the next door or just stay here for now.

The paper says:

"Land at dawn."

The key does not work with the door to the third floor. Harrison then looks across the way at the department store, something has just moved inside of it. The storm rages on outside. Harrison then polls the group, should they break down the door or stay here?

[sok117]

Well, from the clues, it's obvious that a communist lives here, or rather lived here. I for one think that we should try to either go to the department store next door or try and find out who was using this room.

I would like to check to see if there is anyway to get to the lobby from the second floor that isn't blocked

[Bob]

Well, from the clues, it's obvious that a communist lives here, or rather lived here. I for one think that we should try to either go to the department store next door or try and find out who was using this room.

I would like to check to see if there is anyway to get to the lobby from the second floor that isn't blocked

There isn't a way to access the cafe from this floor. There is also no lobby to this hotel, it's the Cafe.

[sok117]

i'd like to check if the storm has started yet, or stopped yet

[JimBee]

Ah! Flying communist cardboard boxes! Take cover!

Ahem. Well, uh, if everyone's done here, I say we move out to the department store. Something is in there, and I say we check it out. We can always come back and break down doors later.

[def]

Well, I wonder if the radio was some kind of transceiver for sending secrets.

I'd like to pick up the radio and look at the wiring.

[Shadows]

Ahem. Well, uh, if everyone's done here, I say we move out to the department store. Something is in there, and I say we check it out. We can always come back and break down doors later.

Are you crazy? We've got a good lead here...

Let's break down the door!

[The Crazy One]

I would like to look through the dustbins on this floor. If there is anything of interest ( like letters and bills etc ) I would like to take it out and read it.

[Dragonator]

Let's break down the door!

Nothing stands in the way of democracy, break it down! I'll be ready to grab the communist if the dirty bastard comes running out at us.

[RoryoCox]

I want to break down the door I'll be ready if anyone is there.

[Bob]

i'd like to check if the storm has started yet, or stopped yet

Valerie looks out the window. The storm rages on outside, but does show signs of letting up in a few minutes.

Ahem. Well, uh, if everyone's done here, I say we move out to the department store. Something is in there, and I say we check it out. We can always come back and break down doors later.

Would anyone else like to go to the Department Store?

I'd like to pick up the radio and look at the wiring.

Dolores picks up the radio. Besides the plug which provides it power, all other wiring appears to have been ripped out violently in a hurry to leave. This is most likely why it only picks up static.

I would like to look through the dustbins on this floor. If there is anything of interest ( like letters and bills etc ) I would like to take it out and read it.

Julie looks inside the bin on the floor. There's several tissues, a receipt for a few toiletry items, a bottle of Whiskey, a knife, and a bloody rag.

I want to break down the door I'll be ready if anyone is there.

Let's break down the door!

Simon and Dieter both charge at the door, but cannot knock it down, as it is a heavy wood door. Perhaps using an object would knock it down, or waiting for this mysterious "Ted" character.

[brickme]

I would like to wrap my hand in a clean rag, and pick up the knife by the handle and the bloody rag and set it on a table.

I would also like to examine the knife carefully without touching with bare hands.

As for breaking down the door you clowns could try the garbage can outside.

[RoryoCox]

I'd like to grab the nearest garbage can with Dieter and run at the door.

I'd like to see the knife up close and see what type it is.

[Fugazi]

I would like to read the receipt for toiletry items -- what has this person bought, where and when?

[Bob]

I would like to wrap my hand in a clean rag, and pick up the knife by the handle and the bloody rag and set it on a table.

I would also like to examine the knife carefully without touching with bare hands.

As for breaking down the door you clowns could try the garbage can outside.

Officer Harrison takes the knife and bloody rag out of the bin with a clean rag. Setting it on the table, he examines the knife. It's about six inches long, the blade itself is silver, and it's cleaned. There's no traces of blood visable to the human eye.

I'd like to grab the nearest garbage can with Dieter and run at the door.

I'd like to see the knife up close and see what type it is.

Dr. Lloyd picks up the garbage can, and rushes at the door. After a few hits, the door falls down.

I would like to read the receipt for toiletry items -- what has this person bought, where and when?

Farmer Alan picks up the receipt. The items appear to have been bought in a small town in Virginia, a week and a half ago. The person bought a toothbrush, toothpaste, a magazine, and a bar of soap.

Outside, the storm stops.

[The Crazy One]

Let me see the rag, I would like to see if I can tell how old the blood on it is.

Signals to be passed the rag.

[Professor Flitwick]

I'd like to know what this new-found room looks like.

[Bob]

Signals to be passed the rag.

Someone passes Julie the rag, and she examines it. The blood appears to be a few days old.

I'd like to know what this new-found room looks like.

You haven't gone upstairs yet.