Module #124 - Game #2
CelticWolf said:
Actually, I'm having a lot of fun with the Boot Hill/D&D hybrid
I think we all are CW. And Gary, no need to apologize for the thread hijack, I didn't have the next chapter ready to post until now and it's great to finally get another member of the gaming group here on this board.
Chapter 43, “Booking Passage”, December 4th, 1881:
The gang continues to walk around. Louie comments “We in big ugly city. Buildings big ugly squares and roofs all wrong. Roof should have slant shape.” Hank comments, “A’Yup, and it’s mighty cold here too.” Morgana interjects “Of course you think it cold. You’re from Texas.” “And mighty proud of it,” he replies. "Figures," Sam mutters.
The group considers that since they are in New York City they should maybe pay a visit to the publisher who had put out the bogus biography about Arcade. “We could get some of profits” Louie exclaims. Morgana expresses that she is also interested in setting the record straight. Hank comments “Hold on. I think we should go see him to thank the man. Any press is good press.” Morgana disagrees.
Sam states, “If we do see him it will be all over the papers.” Arcade comments, “We haven’t identified ourselves to anyone since leaving Santa Fe, and it’s safer for our friends back at the Cantina if everyone thinks that we might be returning at any time. I'd also like to keep the European trip quiet for the time being." The gang decides to skip the visit to the publisher.
Arcade suggests that they go book passage on the ship. Morgana again states her reservations, given that she can’t swim. “Why you no swim?” Louie asks. She replies, “I never learned. Back in Boston it is not considered proper for women to display their limbs and there weren’t many opportunities for swimming when I lived out on the barren plains.” Louie inquires about the type of boats available and describes the Chinese boats he is familiar with. “Aren’t those called junks?” Morgana asks. Hank interjects, “Now now, let’s not be insulting his boats.”
Morgana suggests that they find some lodgings first, thinking that they would have an easier time booking passage if she is dressed as an Easterner. Arcade comments, “How about we form a circle and open up our coats to shield you?” She replies, “I’m serious! I’d like a chance to wash up to.” Arcade glances at Hank and comments, “I think someone else should think of changing too.” Hank retorts “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing right now?” Arcade replies, “Three things. First, it’s on you. Second, it’s always on you. Third, it’s never been off you.”
They continue in the direction of the docks. Sam mutters, “We should be careful about this.” Arcade says, “Play it cool, boy.”
That comment prompts the players around the table to start snapping their fingers, whistling, and singing the lyrics to the song "Cool" from “West Side Story.” The DM eventually stops them with the comment “Right city, but I think you’re about a century too early.” A player says, “Yeah, and the Jets greatly outnumber the Sharks, Aiden’s the only Hispanic in the group.”
They come upon a rather average looking inn named the “Evening Repose”. The gang goes in and gets a distasteful look from the arrogant manager. They ask about staying for the evening. “Are you sure you can afford to stay here?” the man asks. “How much?” Arcade asks. He replies, “3.00 a night for a large common room with bunks or $2.00 a night for regular rooms.” Morgana tosses $ 6.00 at the man and says, “We’ll take three rooms, and I want a bath drawn in mine.”
The manager appears reluctant to give them the keys. Hank says, “Look, we won’t be any trouble.” “We don’t tolerate that here,” the manager states. Sam says, “We’re only staying until we can find a ship going to Europe.” The manager replies, “Are you booking passage or working it?” “Just give us the keys,” Morgana states. The man does so, and sarcastically asks, “Do you need help with your bags.” “We can handle that ourselves,” Hank snaps back.
The group head to their rooms and all freshen up, with Qualtaqa borrowing a shirt from Sam. Morgana bathes and then dresses up in her best suit. Arcade changes into his best clothes. The reassemble in the lobby and Arcade asks the manager about where to go to book passage. He says, “This is a hotel, not a ship.” Arcade says, “What ship companies are nearby?” The man states that there are a number of ocean liners including Cunnard, White Star and Blue Star with offices down the street. The group departs.
They arrive at the offices of the White Star Line, which has portraits on display in the lobby of their various ships. “These look nice,” Aiden states. Arcade makes an inquiry and is told that the ocean liner Oceanic will be departing from New York to Liverpool on the sixth. Arcade and Morgana are asked where on the boat they want to book passage in 1st Class, 2nd Class or Steerage. Louie says, “No want bottom of boat.” Morgana reminds Arcade that the listing of all 1st Class passengers is printed in all of the social registers. He replies, “Good point, 2nd Class sounds like the best bet.” “Just so not below,” Louie states.
As Arcade is buying the tickets, Sam expressing some concern about ocean travel. Hank finds the picture on the wall of the Oceanic, and says, “The engraving plate says it was launched in 1871. This ship’s been making this journey for ten years now. It’s safe.” “It only has to sink once,” Sam replies. The clerk points out that the Line has a good service record, having not had a ship sink in fifteen years. Hank comments, “It’ll be safe. Heck, if we find that we like it we may want to continue travelling on White Star Line ships.”
The group leaves the ship office and finds a nice seafood restaurant near the docks for a nice supper. They return to the hotel and turn in for the night.
I loved to see those big, high baggage carts in action too.
