Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2819551" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>Ruby finds Mr. Smythe in the kitchen and asks, "May I have some tea too?" He smiles and nods at Ruby. She casually hops up on the kitchen table, leans her palms flat and starts swinging her legs. </p><p></p><p>"So... don't you find it <em>odd</em> that Mr. Turner has a coffin in his room instead of a bed?"</p><p></p><p>Mr. Smythe pours a cup of tea for Ruby and offers cream and sugar. "Heck yes I find it strange! I'm sure glad someone else is here to see it too so I know I'm not losing my marbles. I make it a point to never get into my boarder's business as long as they pay on time and Mr. Turner was always a good customer and never caused any trouble." Mr. Smythe rubs his eyes and then shakes his head. "Just what is this world coming to?"</p><p></p><p>"Perhaps it's time for you to pay a little closer attention, Mr. Smythe." Ruby continues to swing her legs. "I think my friend Colin was up to no good. From the looks of his room, someone agreed. Is there anything else you could tell me about his habits... did anyone ever come and visit him here?"</p><p></p><p>"Uh well... he may or may not have had visitors. He used the back door when he came and went, and I would say he was out of town more often than he was here. I don't recall ever seeing him bringing any visitors by. I wonder what could have happened to him. Maybe I should just go get the sherriff myself." </p><p></p><p>The old man drinks his tea very quickly then stands up. "I had better get going, you are right, things here are very wrong."</p><p></p><p>Ruby had to stop herself again from saying Jake's name. "Ja..uh... Mr. Jacobs already went to go and get him. They should be back soon I would think. I bet he'll have a lot of questions, the Sheriff that is. Seems some strange things have been going on around here lately."</p><p></p><p>"That's why I tend to stay here and mind my own business. Do my shopping once a week, stay at home. Doesn't pay to get involved most of the time."</p><p></p><p>"I understand. I'm going to go back to Mr. Turner's room if you don't mind. Keep an eye out for my husband and enjoy your tea. It'll be ok."</p><p></p><p>After Ruby leaves, Minerva opens the trunk she is startled to see the contents. One of Ruby's dresses (the cream colored one with flowers on it, the one she was wearing the night that George Eastman "killed" her) is in the trunk along with many other items of fine men's clothing. There are a few more pictures of Ruby, in a package with a label indicating that they came from Fly's studio back in Promise City. There is a men's grooming kit as well as several pairs of shoes and a shoe horn. At the bottom of the trunk were a couple fairly large cases with latches on them. One had the words "Edison Speaking Phonograph Company" on it while the other says "Remington Typewriter" on it.</p><p></p><p>Minerva hides the surprise on her face and rifles through the clothes. She pulls out some of the mens garments and stuffs the gown and the pictures to the bottom of the trunk. She pulls out the two boxes before she closes the trunk and sits on the lid. She begins to go through the pockets of the clothing.</p><p></p><p>Ruby returns to the room a few minutes later and asks if Minerva has found anything. Receiving no answer, she says, "Hello, Minerva... I asked if you found anything?" Finding her sitting on the trunk Ruby is immediately suspicious. "What's in the trunk?"</p><p></p><p>Minerva sighs in exasperation. "Well there's some other stuff in the trunk but I don't think that this a good time or place to talk about it, Ruby. I'd rather wait for Jake to get back and maybe get back to the hotel before I open this can of worms. Can you at least trust me that much?"</p><p></p><p>"Trust you for what? Why can't I see what's in there? Why would it matter if Jake was here? I don't understand." Ruby looks Minerva in the eyes, genuinely confused.</p><p></p><p>"Ruby, it is not that you cannot see what is in the trunk. I just think that it would be best to wait until Jake returns. He will be back soon."</p><p></p><p>"Alright Minerva, I'll wait. But I still haven't heard a reason WHY I have to wait. I'm not a child." Ruby turns her attentions to the rest of the room, searching for any other out of the ordinary clues she can find.</p><p></p><p>"Gracias, Ruby." Minerva turns away and rolls her eyes at the comment. She rights the chest of drawers and begins going through its contents.</p><p></p><p>As she continues searching she starts rambling. "You know, that guy, Mr. Smythe, there is something strange about him. I mean, don't YOU think it's weird that Colin has a coffin in here to sleep and wouldn't he think something was up?" Ruby kicks the coffin with the toe of her boot. "Especially with all the strange things in this town? Maybe he's one too. Then again... it is daytime right now, isn't it. That might prove he isn't. But what kind of landlord doesn't care what his tenants are doing? In his own place?" Ruby shakes her head. "It's too odd around here."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet returns to searching outside while Minerva continues to search through the room and Ruby ponders several things while waiting for Jake to return. </p><p></p><p>About 20 minutes goes by before Jake and Sheriff Wilson return to the boarding house. They come to the back of the house and the Sheriff takes a quick look at the room before he says "Please don't touch anything else, I'd like to try and get an idea about what happened here. I'm going to take Mr. Smythe in the other room here and ask him some questions. Please, if you would hang around until I'm done I would appreciate it."</p><p></p><p>"This room is no place for a lady. I would prefer not to linger here," she says looking at the sheriff with wide eyes. "Would it be alright if you met us back at our hotel?" Minerva says looking faint for the Sheriffs benefit.</p><p></p><p>"Yes, we'll wait," Ruby adds over Minerva's protests. </p><p></p><p>"I'd rather have you stay here. If you'd like you can wait in the living room out front for now. Give me a few minutes with Mr. Smythe and then I'll get to you. Thanks for your cooperation." </p><p></p><p>Sheriff Wilson leads Smythe into the kitchen where anyone listening will hear a typical investigation going on, the sheriff asking what Mr. Smythe might have seen or heard, the last time he saw Mr. Turner, did he know anyone who might wish Mr. Turner harm, etc.</p><p></p><p>Ruby patiently waits for the Sheriff to walk out. "Now that Jake is here let's look in the trunk. Unless you want to keep hiding what's in there... I want to see before the Sheriff. Oh and where is Nanuet?"</p><p></p><p>Minerva turns to Ruby annoyed that she has once again over run her suggestion. "I am not trying to <em>hide</em> anything from you. It is just that I am aware of how unnerved you have been by Colin Turner's attraction to you and well.. the contents of the trunk are a bit of a shock." She shrugs her shoulders and walks away from the trunk. "Have it your way. I <em>thought</em> you would appreciate it if Jake were here for support. I also thought that it would be best to confront this back at the hotel where we at least had some privacy but… shoot me for caring," she says out of patience and leaves the room in search of Nanuet.</p><p></p><p>Minerva bumps into Nanuet on her way out to look for him. He joins the others in Colin's room and waits for the Sheriff to come back to them.</p><p></p><p>Ruby walks over to Minerva and places her hand on her friends arm. "Minerva, I appreciate you looking out for me but if we're not in this room how can we see what's in the trunk? And what could possibly be in there that is so unnerving? If you want me to wait I will trust you. But maybe Jake should look before we leave?"</p><p></p><p>Minerva gives Ruby a weak smile. "I am sorry for being so short with you. It was quite rude of me. My only excuse is that I am tired of this whole business and quite worried about how it is affecting you." She gives her friend a hug. "I think that having Jake take a peek in the trunk and letting him decide how to proceed is a good idea." She walks over to Jake, pulls the picture out of the folds of her gown and hands it to him face down. "I found this in a frame on the floor also."</p><p></p><p>Ruby gives Minerva a quick hug before she walks over to Jake, handing him something that looked like paper. "You are a good friend Senorita, worrying about me so." Ruby stays by the door, kicking at some broken furniture while watching with curiosity. "Although you have gotten me even more anxious to know what could possibly be so bad."</p><p></p><p>Chester arrives in Turner’s room at the boarding house and asks, "Did you find anything in here? There wasn't much to see on Boot Hill. It doesn't look like anyone climbed out of any of the recent graves."</p><p></p><p>Minerva looks back at Ruby reassuringly. "You have been trough a lot of late, Ruby. If Colin Turner is truly destroyed than the contents of the trunk are not 'bad' just a bit unnerving, that is all. I did not want to cause you any more distress if it could be avoided."</p><p></p><p>"But Jake doesn't think he is destroyed. Do you? Besides, I'm going to find out one way or the other. But I'll do it your way if you think it's better."</p><p></p><p>While the sheriff is in the kitchen with Smythe, Chester asks Jake to cover for him while he searches the roll-top desk he saw earlier.</p><p></p><p>"Sure Chet, I'll keep an eye out for you. Shouldn't be too hard, Sheriff suggested we wait out there anyways. Go ahead."</p><p></p><p>"Jake does not think that he is destroyed?" she raises her arm and motions around the room. "It would appear from the condition of this room that he is no longer here and when we destroy his coffin he will not be able to return. I think it is best that we save this discussion and the contents of the trunk until we are in the privacy of the hotel. We do not know who may be listening." She follows Jake and Ruby out of the room.</p><p></p><p>Ruby whispers to Minerva, "But how are we going to get the trunk? It doesn't belong to us."</p><p></p><p>"We don't <em>need</em> the trunk Ruby," she whispers back. "We'll just tell you what's in it."</p><p></p><p>Chester makes his way quietly out to the old rolltop desk. It doesn't seem like it has been used since his last look at it. He takes one last look at it and rolls the top back. </p><p></p><p>Inside the desk are several stacks of papers and a few inkpots. There is a stamp and some wax for making seals as well as several ledgers. There is also a humanoid skull sitting near the back of the desk, it's eyeless sockets staring right at Chester.</p><p></p><p>Chester jumps when he sees the skull. "What in Hades is that?" He looks over his shoulder at the hallway to see if Smythe is coming back. Seeing no one, he picks up the seal and checks the business end.</p><p></p><p>The end of the stamp is a rather ornately designed letter "S".</p><p></p><p>Nanuet coughs loudly to get the attention of the ladies who are talking in the room. </p><p></p><p>"Oh, all done with Mr. Smythe Sheriff?" Nanuet says loudly. "I'll go get the others, I think they retired to the living room." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet leaves the girls with the Sheriff and heads to the living room to warn Chester that the sheriff is done questioning Mr. Smythe. </p><p></p><p>Chester quickly puts the seal back and closes the desk. He nods to Nanuet when the desk is back the way it was.</p><p></p><p>"Let's get Jake and head back to Turner's room." Nanuet says quietly. They head by the kitchen where Jake seems to be doing a good job keeping Mr. Smythe engaged in conversation. </p><p></p><p>"Jake, I think the sheriff wants to speak with us now." Nanuet says and the three of them head to the back room to join the sheriff and the two ladies.</p><p></p><p>The sheriff begins wandering through the room and shakes his head. "I'm at a loss. Do you ladies have any clue what might be going on around here?" he says in an exasperated tone.</p><p></p><p>"Well, it looks like someone came and dragged my poor friend Colin Turner off. Which would be a task, because he was very strong and fit," Ruby says.</p><p></p><p>"Hmmm... has anyone checked outside yet to see if there were any tracks? I wonder if this has anything to do with the cufflink we found earlier today? But why in the blazes would he just be a pile of ash? I am wondering if I am losing my marbles here."</p><p></p><p>Ruby looks Minerva before speaking. "Well, you might be losing your marbles. But remember when I asked you earlier if you believed in fairy tales and you said you were starting to believe in ghost stories?"" </p><p></p><p>She waits for him to nod before she continues. "Well, we think Colin Turner is a monster, like out of a bad fairy tale. Actually, we know it to be true, we saw it ourselves." Despite the look on the Sheriff’s face Ruby continues. </p><p></p><p>"He's a vampire. And we think you have more than one. It explains all your problems here."</p><p></p><p>The sheriff looks shocked at Ruby's response. "A what? A vampire? What the hell is that? You said some sort of monster but... wow, I am really over my head here. I thought this would be an easy job, small town and all. I hope this Edwards fella gets here real quick!"</p><p></p><p>Jake has been doing much listening and looking, trying to absorb and make sense of it all. So far without much luck. He has peeked at what Minerva has given him, but quickly kept it hidden. After several minutes of stroking his beard he says, "Sheriff, do you mind if I examine that coffin in detail, I suggest you do the same while we chat."</p><p></p><p>"By all means, examine all you want. I have piles of ashes, missing deputies, missing bodies, people dying on me left and right and not a clue where to start. Please, feel free to examine anything you'd like at this point."</p><p></p><p>"Missing deputies?" Jake asks.</p><p></p><p>"After Mrs. Jacobs here left my office I chatted with her friend for a few more minutes. Then I went back to get my deputy whom I left at the scene, you know to keep an eye on things. He was gone by the time I got back. Haven't seen him yet."</p><p></p><p>"He did not bring back anything as evidence then?"</p><p></p><p>"Who, Al? I said I haven't seen him. I got a cufflink fashioned in the initials 'C.T.' from your lady here this morning when I arrived at the scene. Didn't have a chance to get any other evidence yet. I'm a simple law man, I'm not a Pinkerton or anything."</p><p></p><p>Chester pulls the cufflink he found out of his pocket. "Does it look like this one? I found it in the hotel room where Miss Fuller was found. It was under the bed.</p><p></p><p>Sheriff Wilson turns from examining the trunk and looks at the cufflink that Chester is presenting to him. "Yeah, it looks just like that one." he says, producing the matching one from his breast pocket. "You found that at the Gordon Hotel? I thought I searched that place pretty good?"</p><p></p><p>"The priestess can tell you about vampires better than I can ,” Ruby says, returning to the sheriff’s unanswered question. “He used to be a man, a nice man, and he got changed somehow, by another one of him. They suck all your blood out. This one," Ruby kicks at the coffin, "Threatened to make me one of him, he told me I would live forever."</p><p></p><p>"Suck out your blood?" The sheriff's face begins turing as pale as one of the recent victims. "Well I guess that explains the state of the folks who have passed here recently. But if he was one, what happened to him?"</p><p></p><p>"I'd love the answer to that question so I could start resting easy again that I won't have to roam the earth for eternity," Ruby answers flatly. "We're looking here for clues. Minerva said there was something in the trunk but I don't what it is."</p><p></p><p>"Well lets open that trunk then and take a look see right away. Excuse me folks.” Sheriff Wilson makes his way through the mess of the room to the trunk.</p><p></p><p>"Uh, Sheriff, who lives in that new house, the one with the path by the statue?" Ruby asks.</p><p></p><p>“That's Bobby Whittaker's house, I never did like him much. Is he the one you think is behind all this?"</p><p></p><p>"Oh, I don't know about that. He didn't seem to like me very much when I played cards with him. But it does seem strange in this run down town that he has a nice new... dark... home."</p><p></p><p>"We all said the same thing,” Wilson says. “Even if you do have money why would you want to build a home here? Hangs out with some of those wood elves I think too. I wouldn't be surprised if this was his doing. He only moved into town about 4 months back after that place was built."</p><p></p><p>"Is that when you're problems started?" Ruby continues to watch him closely as he starts to open the trunk.</p><p></p><p>Minerva moves to block Ruby's view of the trunk but she knows that it is already too late. "Ruby, you might not want to see this just yet."</p><p></p><p>Jake abandons his attempt to examine the coffin and instead goes to stand by Ruby. He puts an arm around her waist and whispers into her ear, "Apparently Turner had items to remind him of you in there."</p><p></p><p>"Well, they really started about 6 weeks ago, but definitely not before he showed up."</p><p></p><p>While continuing the conversation Sheriff Wilson opens the trunk. Ruby is already standing over him looking at an envelope she pulled off the top. A puzzled look comes over his face. "Well that is odd, there is a woman's dress in here" he says holding up a cream colored dress with a flower print. </p><p></p><p>"Looks like there is some men's clothes and some sort of cases, probably for his salesman job."</p><p></p><p>"What?" Ruby slips out of Jake's grasp and makes her way to the trunk. She looks past the sheriff and into the trunk, finding on top the envelope labeled Fly's Photography Studio. She snatches it and opens it quickly, the envelope tearing in the process. A handful of photographs come flying out, all photographs of Ruby, the ones she took at Fly's Studio right before the festival. She stands with her mouth hanging open as they flutter to the floor.</p><p></p><p>The sheriff looks at the pictures as they land on the floor. "My word!" he exclaims. "Those are pictures of you Mrs. Jacobs! This is just crazy! Is this your dress as well?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby's mouth remains open and she stutters, ignoring the Sheriff’s comment, "T-that's m-my dress!"</p><p></p><p>"Sheriff, may I make a suggestion? You could go speak to Mr. Greely, he was one of the last people to see Turner last night. See what he can tell you, but do it outside his home in the daylight. I will explain afterwards. Perhaps Mr. Martin would accompany you?" Jake nods to Chester. "I heard him say he was a soldier, and from his looks I bet he can handle himself. I think I need a few minutes with my wife right now."</p><p></p><p>"Well one thing I am usually pretty good at is judging people's reactions to things, and I am pretty sure you are more surprised to see this than I am," Sheriff Wilson says.</p><p></p><p>"Have you ever considered a career as a lawman Mr. Jacobs? I reckon you'd be a might fine one. Mr. Martin, it's up to you if you want to come along, but Mr. Greely seems like a good place to start. If you see my deputy, tell him I am looking for him. I think after I see Greely I'll check the telegraph office to see if we got any news about Nolan Edwards, then head back to my office. Thanks for all your help folks." </p><p></p><p>Sheriff Wilson exits the room, has a few words with Mr. Smythe and then leaves the boarding house.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819551, member: 12815"] Ruby finds Mr. Smythe in the kitchen and asks, "May I have some tea too?" He smiles and nods at Ruby. She casually hops up on the kitchen table, leans her palms flat and starts swinging her legs. "So... don't you find it [i]odd[/i] that Mr. Turner has a coffin in his room instead of a bed?" Mr. Smythe pours a cup of tea for Ruby and offers cream and sugar. "Heck yes I find it strange! I'm sure glad someone else is here to see it too so I know I'm not losing my marbles. I make it a point to never get into my boarder's business as long as they pay on time and Mr. Turner was always a good customer and never caused any trouble." Mr. Smythe rubs his eyes and then shakes his head. "Just what is this world coming to?" "Perhaps it's time for you to pay a little closer attention, Mr. Smythe." Ruby continues to swing her legs. "I think my friend Colin was up to no good. From the looks of his room, someone agreed. Is there anything else you could tell me about his habits... did anyone ever come and visit him here?" "Uh well... he may or may not have had visitors. He used the back door when he came and went, and I would say he was out of town more often than he was here. I don't recall ever seeing him bringing any visitors by. I wonder what could have happened to him. Maybe I should just go get the sherriff myself." The old man drinks his tea very quickly then stands up. "I had better get going, you are right, things here are very wrong." Ruby had to stop herself again from saying Jake's name. "Ja..uh... Mr. Jacobs already went to go and get him. They should be back soon I would think. I bet he'll have a lot of questions, the Sheriff that is. Seems some strange things have been going on around here lately." "That's why I tend to stay here and mind my own business. Do my shopping once a week, stay at home. Doesn't pay to get involved most of the time." "I understand. I'm going to go back to Mr. Turner's room if you don't mind. Keep an eye out for my husband and enjoy your tea. It'll be ok." After Ruby leaves, Minerva opens the trunk she is startled to see the contents. One of Ruby's dresses (the cream colored one with flowers on it, the one she was wearing the night that George Eastman "killed" her) is in the trunk along with many other items of fine men's clothing. There are a few more pictures of Ruby, in a package with a label indicating that they came from Fly's studio back in Promise City. There is a men's grooming kit as well as several pairs of shoes and a shoe horn. At the bottom of the trunk were a couple fairly large cases with latches on them. One had the words "Edison Speaking Phonograph Company" on it while the other says "Remington Typewriter" on it. Minerva hides the surprise on her face and rifles through the clothes. She pulls out some of the mens garments and stuffs the gown and the pictures to the bottom of the trunk. She pulls out the two boxes before she closes the trunk and sits on the lid. She begins to go through the pockets of the clothing. Ruby returns to the room a few minutes later and asks if Minerva has found anything. Receiving no answer, she says, "Hello, Minerva... I asked if you found anything?" Finding her sitting on the trunk Ruby is immediately suspicious. "What's in the trunk?" Minerva sighs in exasperation. "Well there's some other stuff in the trunk but I don't think that this a good time or place to talk about it, Ruby. I'd rather wait for Jake to get back and maybe get back to the hotel before I open this can of worms. Can you at least trust me that much?" "Trust you for what? Why can't I see what's in there? Why would it matter if Jake was here? I don't understand." Ruby looks Minerva in the eyes, genuinely confused. "Ruby, it is not that you cannot see what is in the trunk. I just think that it would be best to wait until Jake returns. He will be back soon." "Alright Minerva, I'll wait. But I still haven't heard a reason WHY I have to wait. I'm not a child." Ruby turns her attentions to the rest of the room, searching for any other out of the ordinary clues she can find. "Gracias, Ruby." Minerva turns away and rolls her eyes at the comment. She rights the chest of drawers and begins going through its contents. As she continues searching she starts rambling. "You know, that guy, Mr. Smythe, there is something strange about him. I mean, don't YOU think it's weird that Colin has a coffin in here to sleep and wouldn't he think something was up?" Ruby kicks the coffin with the toe of her boot. "Especially with all the strange things in this town? Maybe he's one too. Then again... it is daytime right now, isn't it. That might prove he isn't. But what kind of landlord doesn't care what his tenants are doing? In his own place?" Ruby shakes her head. "It's too odd around here." Nanuet returns to searching outside while Minerva continues to search through the room and Ruby ponders several things while waiting for Jake to return. About 20 minutes goes by before Jake and Sheriff Wilson return to the boarding house. They come to the back of the house and the Sheriff takes a quick look at the room before he says "Please don't touch anything else, I'd like to try and get an idea about what happened here. I'm going to take Mr. Smythe in the other room here and ask him some questions. Please, if you would hang around until I'm done I would appreciate it." "This room is no place for a lady. I would prefer not to linger here," she says looking at the sheriff with wide eyes. "Would it be alright if you met us back at our hotel?" Minerva says looking faint for the Sheriffs benefit. "Yes, we'll wait," Ruby adds over Minerva's protests. "I'd rather have you stay here. If you'd like you can wait in the living room out front for now. Give me a few minutes with Mr. Smythe and then I'll get to you. Thanks for your cooperation." Sheriff Wilson leads Smythe into the kitchen where anyone listening will hear a typical investigation going on, the sheriff asking what Mr. Smythe might have seen or heard, the last time he saw Mr. Turner, did he know anyone who might wish Mr. Turner harm, etc. Ruby patiently waits for the Sheriff to walk out. "Now that Jake is here let's look in the trunk. Unless you want to keep hiding what's in there... I want to see before the Sheriff. Oh and where is Nanuet?" Minerva turns to Ruby annoyed that she has once again over run her suggestion. "I am not trying to [i]hide[/i] anything from you. It is just that I am aware of how unnerved you have been by Colin Turner's attraction to you and well.. the contents of the trunk are a bit of a shock." She shrugs her shoulders and walks away from the trunk. "Have it your way. I [i]thought[/i] you would appreciate it if Jake were here for support. I also thought that it would be best to confront this back at the hotel where we at least had some privacy but… shoot me for caring," she says out of patience and leaves the room in search of Nanuet. Minerva bumps into Nanuet on her way out to look for him. He joins the others in Colin's room and waits for the Sheriff to come back to them. Ruby walks over to Minerva and places her hand on her friends arm. "Minerva, I appreciate you looking out for me but if we're not in this room how can we see what's in the trunk? And what could possibly be in there that is so unnerving? If you want me to wait I will trust you. But maybe Jake should look before we leave?" Minerva gives Ruby a weak smile. "I am sorry for being so short with you. It was quite rude of me. My only excuse is that I am tired of this whole business and quite worried about how it is affecting you." She gives her friend a hug. "I think that having Jake take a peek in the trunk and letting him decide how to proceed is a good idea." She walks over to Jake, pulls the picture out of the folds of her gown and hands it to him face down. "I found this in a frame on the floor also." Ruby gives Minerva a quick hug before she walks over to Jake, handing him something that looked like paper. "You are a good friend Senorita, worrying about me so." Ruby stays by the door, kicking at some broken furniture while watching with curiosity. "Although you have gotten me even more anxious to know what could possibly be so bad." Chester arrives in Turner’s room at the boarding house and asks, "Did you find anything in here? There wasn't much to see on Boot Hill. It doesn't look like anyone climbed out of any of the recent graves." Minerva looks back at Ruby reassuringly. "You have been trough a lot of late, Ruby. If Colin Turner is truly destroyed than the contents of the trunk are not 'bad' just a bit unnerving, that is all. I did not want to cause you any more distress if it could be avoided." "But Jake doesn't think he is destroyed. Do you? Besides, I'm going to find out one way or the other. But I'll do it your way if you think it's better." While the sheriff is in the kitchen with Smythe, Chester asks Jake to cover for him while he searches the roll-top desk he saw earlier. "Sure Chet, I'll keep an eye out for you. Shouldn't be too hard, Sheriff suggested we wait out there anyways. Go ahead." "Jake does not think that he is destroyed?" she raises her arm and motions around the room. "It would appear from the condition of this room that he is no longer here and when we destroy his coffin he will not be able to return. I think it is best that we save this discussion and the contents of the trunk until we are in the privacy of the hotel. We do not know who may be listening." She follows Jake and Ruby out of the room. Ruby whispers to Minerva, "But how are we going to get the trunk? It doesn't belong to us." "We don't [i]need[/i] the trunk Ruby," she whispers back. "We'll just tell you what's in it." Chester makes his way quietly out to the old rolltop desk. It doesn't seem like it has been used since his last look at it. He takes one last look at it and rolls the top back. Inside the desk are several stacks of papers and a few inkpots. There is a stamp and some wax for making seals as well as several ledgers. There is also a humanoid skull sitting near the back of the desk, it's eyeless sockets staring right at Chester. Chester jumps when he sees the skull. "What in Hades is that?" He looks over his shoulder at the hallway to see if Smythe is coming back. Seeing no one, he picks up the seal and checks the business end. The end of the stamp is a rather ornately designed letter "S". Nanuet coughs loudly to get the attention of the ladies who are talking in the room. "Oh, all done with Mr. Smythe Sheriff?" Nanuet says loudly. "I'll go get the others, I think they retired to the living room." Nanuet leaves the girls with the Sheriff and heads to the living room to warn Chester that the sheriff is done questioning Mr. Smythe. Chester quickly puts the seal back and closes the desk. He nods to Nanuet when the desk is back the way it was. "Let's get Jake and head back to Turner's room." Nanuet says quietly. They head by the kitchen where Jake seems to be doing a good job keeping Mr. Smythe engaged in conversation. "Jake, I think the sheriff wants to speak with us now." Nanuet says and the three of them head to the back room to join the sheriff and the two ladies. The sheriff begins wandering through the room and shakes his head. "I'm at a loss. Do you ladies have any clue what might be going on around here?" he says in an exasperated tone. "Well, it looks like someone came and dragged my poor friend Colin Turner off. Which would be a task, because he was very strong and fit," Ruby says. "Hmmm... has anyone checked outside yet to see if there were any tracks? I wonder if this has anything to do with the cufflink we found earlier today? But why in the blazes would he just be a pile of ash? I am wondering if I am losing my marbles here." Ruby looks Minerva before speaking. "Well, you might be losing your marbles. But remember when I asked you earlier if you believed in fairy tales and you said you were starting to believe in ghost stories?"" She waits for him to nod before she continues. "Well, we think Colin Turner is a monster, like out of a bad fairy tale. Actually, we know it to be true, we saw it ourselves." Despite the look on the Sheriff’s face Ruby continues. "He's a vampire. And we think you have more than one. It explains all your problems here." The sheriff looks shocked at Ruby's response. "A what? A vampire? What the hell is that? You said some sort of monster but... wow, I am really over my head here. I thought this would be an easy job, small town and all. I hope this Edwards fella gets here real quick!" Jake has been doing much listening and looking, trying to absorb and make sense of it all. So far without much luck. He has peeked at what Minerva has given him, but quickly kept it hidden. After several minutes of stroking his beard he says, "Sheriff, do you mind if I examine that coffin in detail, I suggest you do the same while we chat." "By all means, examine all you want. I have piles of ashes, missing deputies, missing bodies, people dying on me left and right and not a clue where to start. Please, feel free to examine anything you'd like at this point." "Missing deputies?" Jake asks. "After Mrs. Jacobs here left my office I chatted with her friend for a few more minutes. Then I went back to get my deputy whom I left at the scene, you know to keep an eye on things. He was gone by the time I got back. Haven't seen him yet." "He did not bring back anything as evidence then?" "Who, Al? I said I haven't seen him. I got a cufflink fashioned in the initials 'C.T.' from your lady here this morning when I arrived at the scene. Didn't have a chance to get any other evidence yet. I'm a simple law man, I'm not a Pinkerton or anything." Chester pulls the cufflink he found out of his pocket. "Does it look like this one? I found it in the hotel room where Miss Fuller was found. It was under the bed. Sheriff Wilson turns from examining the trunk and looks at the cufflink that Chester is presenting to him. "Yeah, it looks just like that one." he says, producing the matching one from his breast pocket. "You found that at the Gordon Hotel? I thought I searched that place pretty good?" "The priestess can tell you about vampires better than I can ,” Ruby says, returning to the sheriff’s unanswered question. “He used to be a man, a nice man, and he got changed somehow, by another one of him. They suck all your blood out. This one," Ruby kicks at the coffin, "Threatened to make me one of him, he told me I would live forever." "Suck out your blood?" The sheriff's face begins turing as pale as one of the recent victims. "Well I guess that explains the state of the folks who have passed here recently. But if he was one, what happened to him?" "I'd love the answer to that question so I could start resting easy again that I won't have to roam the earth for eternity," Ruby answers flatly. "We're looking here for clues. Minerva said there was something in the trunk but I don't what it is." "Well lets open that trunk then and take a look see right away. Excuse me folks.” Sheriff Wilson makes his way through the mess of the room to the trunk. "Uh, Sheriff, who lives in that new house, the one with the path by the statue?" Ruby asks. “That's Bobby Whittaker's house, I never did like him much. Is he the one you think is behind all this?" "Oh, I don't know about that. He didn't seem to like me very much when I played cards with him. But it does seem strange in this run down town that he has a nice new... dark... home." "We all said the same thing,” Wilson says. “Even if you do have money why would you want to build a home here? Hangs out with some of those wood elves I think too. I wouldn't be surprised if this was his doing. He only moved into town about 4 months back after that place was built." "Is that when you're problems started?" Ruby continues to watch him closely as he starts to open the trunk. Minerva moves to block Ruby's view of the trunk but she knows that it is already too late. "Ruby, you might not want to see this just yet." Jake abandons his attempt to examine the coffin and instead goes to stand by Ruby. He puts an arm around her waist and whispers into her ear, "Apparently Turner had items to remind him of you in there." "Well, they really started about 6 weeks ago, but definitely not before he showed up." While continuing the conversation Sheriff Wilson opens the trunk. Ruby is already standing over him looking at an envelope she pulled off the top. A puzzled look comes over his face. "Well that is odd, there is a woman's dress in here" he says holding up a cream colored dress with a flower print. "Looks like there is some men's clothes and some sort of cases, probably for his salesman job." "What?" Ruby slips out of Jake's grasp and makes her way to the trunk. She looks past the sheriff and into the trunk, finding on top the envelope labeled Fly's Photography Studio. She snatches it and opens it quickly, the envelope tearing in the process. A handful of photographs come flying out, all photographs of Ruby, the ones she took at Fly's Studio right before the festival. She stands with her mouth hanging open as they flutter to the floor. The sheriff looks at the pictures as they land on the floor. "My word!" he exclaims. "Those are pictures of you Mrs. Jacobs! This is just crazy! Is this your dress as well?" Ruby's mouth remains open and she stutters, ignoring the Sheriff’s comment, "T-that's m-my dress!" "Sheriff, may I make a suggestion? You could go speak to Mr. Greely, he was one of the last people to see Turner last night. See what he can tell you, but do it outside his home in the daylight. I will explain afterwards. Perhaps Mr. Martin would accompany you?" Jake nods to Chester. "I heard him say he was a soldier, and from his looks I bet he can handle himself. I think I need a few minutes with my wife right now." "Well one thing I am usually pretty good at is judging people's reactions to things, and I am pretty sure you are more surprised to see this than I am," Sheriff Wilson says. "Have you ever considered a career as a lawman Mr. Jacobs? I reckon you'd be a might fine one. Mr. Martin, it's up to you if you want to come along, but Mr. Greely seems like a good place to start. If you see my deputy, tell him I am looking for him. I think after I see Greely I'll check the telegraph office to see if we got any news about Nolan Edwards, then head back to my office. Thanks for all your help folks." Sheriff Wilson exits the room, has a few words with Mr. Smythe and then leaves the boarding house. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
Top