MURDER AT MAIDENHEAD

THE CAST

M. Hercule Poirot/Komrade Bob

Lady Elizabeth/Anabelle

Dick McMann/Bryan

Jeeves/Eric

Story Opener:

Opening: Poirot has joined Lord Peter and his wife at Maidenhead.

1. Introduction

Lady Elizabeth wants Poirot to save her from Lord Peter.

Poirot has avoided Elizabeth for years. Lord Peter fears for his life.

Dick McMann is up to no good – is he IRA?

Jeeves has everything perfect for the guest’s arrival.

2. Lord Peter has just been discovered murdered. What are people’s responses?

Lord Peter wants to talk to Poirot but gets lured out on a cliff by Dick who has blackmail evidence on him. Lord Peter is found dead on the rocks the next morning by fishermen. Dick is grimly pleased.

3. What is Poirot’s first real clue?

Poirot discovers that Lord Peter was strangled (rather than breaking his neck in the fall). He sets Jeeves to watch Dick. Bert, (a delivery boy – newly created character) told Jeeves he was mooning about the grounds late at night, hoping to get a glimpse of Ethel (another new character), when he saw someone other than Lord Peter.

4. What clue comes up that points suspicion away from Dick and on to someone else? (i.e. the Red Herring).

This turn all the actions create clues that show why Dick is not guilty (even though we know he is!)

5. What happens that shows the red herring to smell fishy?
6. What is the next clue that swings attention back to Dick?
7. What is the decisive clue?
8. What happens when Poirot gathers everyone in the study?
9. What are Dick’s parting shots as the police take him away?
10.  Extro – Each player describes what happens to their character after the fact. There are no rolls unless players contradict one another.

THE STORY SO FAR…

Lord Peter Chumley has invited Hercule down to the sea side for the weekend. They are to meet in the quaint sea side resort Maidenhead. Poirot drives down to the coast in his brand new open top Mercedes. It has been years since he last saw Lord Peter… and his wife. Ah! The lovely Lady Elizabeth! Ah… what could have been… What is that? The smell of the ocean? Mon Diu I am there!

@

Lady Elizabeth’s Introduction

I can't wait to see Poirot ... I've missed him. It is a deep secret but Poirot and I have had intimate relations in the past. At one time I thought of leaving Peter for him, but he wouldn't have me. He did say he loved me ... not with words, but in his own unique way, though he wasn't willing to commit to me in the past. I really wish he would, I would leave with this very night!

I have just found out Dick will also be at this resort and I know he deeply hates Peter. Did Dick know we were going to be there? Coincidence?

I'm a bit worried about being there with the two of them.

Peter doesn't know that I know, but Poirot informed me years ago that Peter and Dick's wife, Margaret, had been having a long running affair. I was hurt, yes, and it's part of the reason Poirot and I began our affair, but It's over now, I think, but I know Dick figured it out somehow and has hated Peter ever since. I have a bad feeling about this possible encounter between the two. I'll do my best to keep them away from each other or to diffuse any kind of conflict that may arise.

I am looking my best and plan to turn it ALL on for Poirot. I would love for him to take the initiative, to suggest we go away together because quite frankly I will never be able to leave Peter unless there is some kind of supportive incentive.

@

Poirot would not be considered a nervous man, but now he was positively fidgetting, though perhaps he himself wouldn't have noted nor admitted to it. A quick re-adjustment of his bowtie, the tuck of a single unruly tuft of hair behind an ear, the third tug at a not-quite-right left sleeve cuff on his quick stride between his car and the lobby.

Poirot sighed quietly. "How Hastings would chuckle in amazement if he could see me!"

It had been years since Poirot had seen Peter or Elizabeth, so the invitation to Maidenhead came to him as a surprise. In truth, Poirot had been avoiding the couple since his last meeting with Elizabeth. Undoubtedly Peter knew that Hercule and Elizabeth had known one another before the war. Elizabeth had been little more than a girl, travelling on the continent to study the arts, Poirot a police inspector in Brussels. Neither would have met had it not been for a rather delicate affair involving a switched Renoir that the girl gotten herself embroiled in.

The affair itself was all too brief. Elizabeth returned to England, while Poirot promised to meet her there the following spring. Instead, war had come to Belgium in that late summer, and when Poirot finally arrived it was as a penniless refugee on a chilly October morning. It was through The Times that Poirot learned of Elizabeth's engagement to Peter, Lord Chumley, the dashing young Lion of Mons.

With great sadness, Poirot had closed the paper, and thought he'd closed that chapter of his life. Ten years later, in the spring of '24, fate intervened. An investigation into lost governement papers and panda-smuggling ( Poirot had by then already become a well-trusted consultant to the British police) had led to a chance meeting with Lord Peter and Elizabeth while they were on holiday in Spain.

Elizabeth had blossomed from a girl into a gracious, beautiful woman in the intervening years. Poirot was nearly overcome by a singularly gallic urge to abandon his well-maintained facade as the meticulous consulting detective (developed, almost accidently, over the years, for the benefit of his anglais friends and patrons)and rekindle the long-gone romance.

The arrival in the picture of Arthur Hastings, Poirot's longtime English companion and fellow investigator, had snapped Hercule back. Hastings had served with Lord Peter at Mons, and what might have become an embarassing moment involving the chance meeting developed instead into an evening of good companionship on a warm Mediterranean shoreline.

"Damn Hastings anyway! And Damn English propriety, too!"

And what of propriety? Poirot had discovered the lost papers and in the end quashed the panda-smuggling ring. In the process, and quite by accident, Poirot discovered that Lord Peter had been having a long running affair with Margaret McMann, wife of Dick McMann a great brute of a man and probable member of the British underworld.

Poirot hmself didn't know what made him reveal Peter and Margaret's affair to Elizabeth, in those few moments they had alone together, that last day in Spain, along a sunny seaside. Jealousy perhaps? Rekindled desire in an aging man? A momentary grasp for at might have been?

Poirot had left Elizabeth silently, and walked away from all of it that day. A few holiday cards and short letters had passed between them after afterwards, all coldly and necesarily polite, trailing off to nearly nothing over the next few years. Until, that is, the recent mysterious invitation from Lord Peter to meet him here at Maidenhead arrived one week ago.

Poirot's mind was brought out of its wanderings by the appearance of Lord Peter, striding purposefully towards him, across the lobby.

"Thank god you've arrived Poirot!"

Lord Peter grasped Poirot's hand and arm fiercely, leaning in close whispering to him.

"I'm a marked man, Poirot. I swear it is so. Unless you can help me, I'll be dead by the end of this week!"

@

"CRECIT SUB PONDERE VIRTUS"

Dick watched the reversed, blued Latin letters on his chest disappear in the mirror as he buttoned up his shirt and pulled on his tie. "Virtue thrives under adversity" he silently translated. Indeed. A grim smile split his lantern jaw as he knotted his tie.

To think that here, of all places that the marker could be called and in such good time too. It was positively beautiful...

From the adjoining apartment Alfie came in, and appeared close at hand in the mirror.

"Dick, He's here!" Alfie's voice was an excited rush. "Word came up an hour ago from the lads runnin' luggage! His wife too, of course..." Alfie's hands clenched the empty air in a decisive twisting motion. "Could 'ave done 'im then an' there too!"

Dick sighed. His second was nothing if not youthful piss and vinegar.

"Alfie, we have discussed this. Lord Chumley is my load to bear. You are here strictly to see that those arms make it from the boats. You make the payment. You get them up the road to the farmhouse, and you see to it that they make the next leg. Then you get your ignorant arse back where it belongs. If I have to tell you once more where your place in this matter is, I will personally punt you into the sea."

"But Dick, ee's here. Your missus..."

"You know damned well to leave Margaret out of this, God rest her. She's beyond the cares of this life, without a doubt. You will go much further in the brotherhood if you lean the wisdom of silence. Haven't you gotten the worst of my temper enough in your life boy?"

Alfie let the threat hang, and studied his shoes intently.

"As I thought." Dick nodded as he checked himself in the mirror, straightening from the little toilette mirror to his full height.

"The Lion of Mons, and I are quite well acquainted, and certainly have much to discuss. You will serve best by seeing to your end. I will distract his lordship most adequately while you and the others do the real work. Then we'll all be done, and away. "

Alfie looked up from his shoes. "There's one other thing...a Frenchman...some sort of police I heard."

"Alfie, a little is best if well done."

"Is deas an rud an beagán ach é a dhéanamh go maith." Alfie echoed, obediently.

"Good. Now see to the others. I have a dinner engagement."

@

Jeeves reviewed the dinner-menu the cook had provided.

"Mrs. Soames, are you certain that Mussels would be appropriate with the fish course? It is still August, after all."

"Yes, but Mrs. Inglethorp served them only three nights ago, which everyone exclaimed over. And I thought they'd be a treat for that Belgian fellow who's visiting. I'll be sure to check them after Ethel brings them back from the market."

Jeeves knew that Mrs. Soames would never alow the Inglethorp's cook to outdo her. He considered what wine he would serve. The Muscadet, perhaps. The Mosel if the mussels were rejected after all. And if Soames overused the tarragon in the mussels? He'd have to think of an alternative in that event.

"Very well," Jeeves answered. "Could you also ask Ethel to pick up some halibut when she's at the market? I think I'll be having that for dinner tonight. Now excuse me, but I believe that Monsieur Poirot will be arriving shortly."

Mrs. Soames looked up to see that the butler had already left, apparently just as the bell rang, announcing the arrival of a guest. Jeeves was at the front door of the estate as Poirot's car pulled up.

@

Lord Peter hurried furtively through the estate rose garden by the light of the full moon. The sound of the tide coming in played a strong crescendo against the turmoil in his heart as approached the scenic sea cliffs and their view of the moonlight glinting on steely waves. This then, was the meeting place.

His intention had been to speak to Hercule before dealing with McMann, but the large man's carefully worded invitation to a pre-dinner brandy in the estate study had been too pressing to ignore. His worst fear was indeed realized. McMann claimed to have documented evidence of the years-old affair with his deceased wife. McMann also had assured him that he saw no need for a scandal, and was reassuring as any Ettin when he smiled and suggested they "might reach a gentleman's agreement."

All during dinner Peter had been too distracted by the meeting to properly entertain Poirot. Thank the heavens that He and Beth were prior acquaintances, they had resumed their companionship quite easily while Peter was distracted by what to offer the criminal McMann. Peter had begged his pardon from a headache before the dessert had even come to the table. From there he had shut himself in the study adjoining his suite leaving explicit wishes to not be disturbed.

Now it was well after the dinner hour. Slipping out had been easier than expected as Beth had not made a return to the suite yet. She must be still reminiscing with Hercule. The two of them being undoubtedly together was what had ultimately forced him to deal with McMann without first consulting Poirot. Dick may have shown a certain gentility on the surface, but just beneath that skin Peter knew there was murderous intent. Once Peter found out what McMann wanted, he and Hercule could devise a method to entrap the criminal in his own game. Of course, Elizabeth must never be the wiser, and he silently blessed his fortunes to know a man of such discretion as Poirot.

Lost in his own tumultuous thoughts, Lord Peter was quite unaware of the shadow that detached itself from a low group of large boulders near at hand.

***

In the small of the morning, the body of Lord Peter is discovered on the rocky shore at the base of the scenic cliff side a short walk from the main house by local fishermen. The tumult arising from the discovery brings the principle characters out to the seaside overlook. Dick McMann is extremely taciturn. He seems both grimly pleased, and mildly conflicted. All the same, he watches in prominent silence as the body is brought in all the while chewing the stump of his pipe.

@

In the early morning Poirot asks that has the body laid out for inspection in an out of the way place in the main house. Jeeves is quite in a fit trying to allay concerns for the guests, and keep the gossip to a minimum. Poirot is intrigued that Lord Peter does not seem to have sustained much trauma from the implied fall from the cliffs. One of the village fisherman comments idly on the lolling of the poor cadaver's head. 

"Must 'ave clean broke his neck..."

Inspection of the neck reveals nasty bruising beneath the ascot, showing that Lord Peter Chumley was likely strangled. (large, hand-shaped, and uneven bruising)

Poirot sends for Lady Chumley to discuss how to proceed, and question her about Peter's recent troubles. He also enlists Jeeves to find a way to maintain a clandestine watch on Dick McMann in the event that he reveals himself as the murderer, or attempts an escape.

@

---

"Bert, could I speak with you?" Jeeves asked the grocer's assistant.

Bert was delivering the groceries for the day, and reluctantly followed the butler into the larder.

"First let me say that I offer my condolences to the family, Mr. Jeeves. If there's anything I can do . . ." Bert stammered out.

"That's very kind of you," Jeeves replied. "In fact, I wished to talk to you about just that. I believe that this tragedy has affected us all, including Ethel, and I was wondering whether you might consider asking her to the cinema on her day off next Thursday."

"I ... I suppose I could. But do you really think she would want to go?"

"I cannot begin to speculate on that," Jeeves answered, "But it would risk little to ask."

"Yes. Yes, I should be happy to do that," Bert said, brightening somewhat.

"Good! Then perhaps there is just one other thing. Do you think you could talk to Mr. Poirot about anything you might have seen while you were here last night?"

"Last night?" Bert looked startled, "But I wasn't here ..."

"Perhaps you are forgetting," Jeeves suggested. "You were perhaps taking your time off to ensure you know the route to your customers."

"Perhaps ..." Bert started.

"Or perhaps you were planning on talking to Miss Ethel already, but decided against it when you saw someone and became aware how late it had become."

"Yes. ... Yes, I was here, come to think of it," Bert said. "But I didn't mean anything by it, honest!"

"Of course not," Jeeves assured him.

"And I did see someone."

"Lord Peter, on his unfortunate walk, I take it?"

"No. Someone else. I don't know who it was, but, as you said, I realised the time and left."

"Of course. I think it would be a good idea if you were to talk about this with Monsieur Poirot before you leave."

---

Okay time to re-resolve the turn. We have four actions submitted. Bryan says that Poirot discovers that Lord Peter was strangled (rather than breaking his neck in the fall). He sets Jeeves to watch Dick. Komrade Bob says YES AND Poirot discovers that Lord Peter had some kind of circulation disease and that his strangulation was self inflicted! Anabelle says YES AND  Poirot tells Lady Elizabeth that he found some torn cloth in the dead man’s right hand. Could it be from the murderers cloths? Lady E wonders why Poirot has not had Dick arrested immediately. “All in good time…” Eric says YES AND Bert, (a delivery boy – newly created character) told Jeeves he was mooning about the grounds late at night, hoping to get a glimpse of Ethel (another new character), when he saw someone other than Lord Peter.

I’m going to rate Bryan, Anabelle’s, and Eric’s actions as Okay. I’m rating Komrade Bob’s action as Pretty unlikely – because I don’t think you can strangle yourself with your own hand. The dice gods will tell us what really happens. I’m viewing Bob, Eric’s, and Anabelle’s actions as building off of Bryan’s action rather than one anothers so we know Bryan’s action will happen but other things may also happen.

Time to do the rolls: Bryan rolls a 1 (out). Eric rolls a 6. Anabelle rolls a 3 (out). Komrade Bob rolls a 2 (out). Eric Wins!!!

MURDER AT MAIDENHEAD

THE CAST

M. Hercule Poirot/Komrade Bob

Lady Elizabeth/Anabelle

Dick McMann/Bryan

Jeeves/Eric

Story Opener:

Opening: Poirot has joined Lord Peter and his wife at Maidenhead.

1. Introduction

Lady Elizabeth wants Poirot to save her from Lord Peter.

Poirot has avoided Elizabeth for years. Lord Peter fears for his life.

Dick McMann is up to no good – is he IRA?

Jeeves has everything perfect for the guest’s arrival.

2. Lord Peter has just been discovered murdered. What are people’s responses?

Lord Peter wants to talk to Poirot but gets lured out on a cliff by Dick who has blackmail evidence on him. Lord Peter is found dead on the rocks the next morning by fishermen. Dick is grimly pleased.

3. What is Poirot’s first real clue?

Poirot discovers that Lord Peter was strangled (rather than breaking his neck in the fall). He sets Jeeves to watch Dick. Poirot tells Lady Elizabeth that he found some torn cloth in the dead man’s right hand. Could it be from the murderers cloths? Lady E wonders why Poirot has not had Dick arrested immediately. “All in good time…”

4. What clue comes up that points suspicion away from Dick and on to someone else? (i.e. the Red Herring).

This turn all the actions create clues that show why Dick is not guilty (even though we know he is!)

5. What happens that shows the red herring to smell fishy?
6. What is the next clue that swings attention back to Dick?
7. What is the decisive clue?
8. What happens when Poirot gathers everyone in the study?
9. What are Dick’s parting shots as the police take him away?
10.  Extro – Each player describes what happens to their character after the fact. There are no rolls unless players contradict one another.

THE STORY SO FAR…

Lord Peter Chumley has invited Hercule down to the sea side for the weekend. They are to meet in the quaint sea side resort Maidenhead. Poirot drives down to the coast in his brand new open top Mercedes. It has been years since he last saw Lord Peter… and his wife. Ah! The lovely Lady Elizabeth! Ah… what could have been… What is that? The smell of the ocean? Mon Diu I am there!

@

Lady Elizabeth’s Introduction

I can't wait to see Poirot ... I've missed him. It is a deep secret but Poirot and I have had intimate relations in the past. At one time I thought of leaving Peter for him, but he wouldn't have me. He did say he loved me ... not with words, but in his own unique way, though he wasn't willing to commit to me in the past. I really wish he would, I would leave with this very night!

I have just found out Dick will also be at this resort and I know he deeply hates Peter. Did Dick know we were going to be there? Coincidence?

I'm a bit worried about being there with the two of them.

Peter doesn't know that I know, but Poirot informed me years ago that Peter and Dick's wife, Margaret, had been having a long running affair. I was hurt, yes, and it's part of the reason Poirot and I began our affair, but It's over now, I think, but I know Dick figured it out somehow and has hated Peter ever since. I have a bad feeling about this possible encounter between the two. I'll do my best to keep them away from each other or to diffuse any kind of conflict that may arise.

I am looking my best and plan to turn it ALL on for Poirot. I would love for him to take the initiative, to suggest we go away together because quite frankly I will never be able to leave Peter unless there is some kind of supportive incentive.

@

Poirot would not be considered a nervous man, but now he was positively fidgetting, though perhaps he himself wouldn't have noted nor admitted to it. A quick re-adjustment of his bowtie, the tuck of a single unruly tuft of hair behind an ear, the third tug at a not-quite-right left sleeve cuff on his quick stride between his car and the lobby.

Poirot sighed quietly. "How Hastings would chuckle in amazement if he could see me!"

It had been years since Poirot had seen Peter or Elizabeth, so the invitation to Maidenhead came to him as a surprise. In truth, Poirot had been avoiding the couple since his last meeting with Elizabeth. Undoubtedly Peter knew that Hercule and Elizabeth had known one another before the war. Elizabeth had been little more than a girl, travelling on the continent to study the arts, Poirot a police inspector in Brussels. Neither would have met had it not been for a rather delicate affair involving a switched Renoir that the girl gotten herself embroiled in.

The affair itself was all too brief. Elizabeth returned to England, while Poirot promised to meet her there the following spring. Instead, war had come to Belgium in that late summer, and when Poirot finally arrived it was as a penniless refugee on a chilly October morning. It was through The Times that Poirot learned of Elizabeth's engagement to Peter, Lord Chumley, the dashing young Lion of Mons.

With great sadness, Poirot had closed the paper, and thought he'd closed that chapter of his life. Ten years later, in the spring of '24, fate intervened. An investigation into lost governement papers and panda-smuggling ( Poirot had by then already become a well-trusted consultant to the British police) had led to a chance meeting with Lord Peter and Elizabeth while they were on holiday in Spain.

Elizabeth had blossomed from a girl into a gracious, beautiful woman in the intervening years. Poirot was nearly overcome by a singularly gallic urge to abandon his well-maintained facade as the meticulous consulting detective (developed, almost accidently, over the years, for the benefit of his anglais friends and patrons)and rekindle the long-gone romance.

The arrival in the picture of Arthur Hastings, Poirot's longtime English companion and fellow investigator, had snapped Hercule back. Hastings had served with Lord Peter at Mons, and what might have become an embarassing moment involving the chance meeting developed instead into an evening of good companionship on a warm Mediterranean shoreline.

"Damn Hastings anyway! And Damn English propriety, too!"

And what of propriety? Poirot had discovered the lost papers and in the end quashed the panda-smuggling ring. In the process, and quite by accident, Poirot discovered that Lord Peter had been having a long running affair with Margaret McMann, wife of Dick McMann a great brute of a man and probable member of the British underworld.

Poirot hmself didn't know what made him reveal Peter and Margaret's affair to Elizabeth, in those few moments they had alone together, that last day in Spain, along a sunny seaside. Jealousy perhaps? Rekindled desire in an aging man? A momentary grasp for at might have been?

Poirot had left Elizabeth silently, and walked away from all of it that day. A few holiday cards and short letters had passed between them after afterwards, all coldly and necesarily polite, trailing off to nearly nothing over the next few years. Until, that is, the recent mysterious invitation from Lord Peter to meet him here at Maidenhead arrived one week ago.

Poirot's mind was brought out of its wanderings by the appearance of Lord Peter, striding purposefully towards him, across the lobby.

"Thank god you've arrived Poirot!"

Lord Peter grasped Poirot's hand and arm fiercely, leaning in close whispering to him.

"I'm a marked man, Poirot. I swear it is so. Unless you can help me, I'll be dead by the end of this week!"

@

"CRECIT SUB PONDERE VIRTUS"

Dick watched the reversed, blued Latin letters on his chest disappear in the mirror as he buttoned up his shirt and pulled on his tie. "Virtue thrives under adversity" he silently translated. Indeed. A grim smile split his lantern jaw as he knotted his tie.

To think that here, of all places that the marker could be called and in such good time too. It was positively beautiful...

From the adjoining apartment Alfie came in, and appeared close at hand in the mirror.

"Dick, He's here!" Alfie's voice was an excited rush. "Word came up an hour ago from the lads runnin' luggage! His wife too, of course..." Alfie's hands clenched the empty air in a decisive twisting motion. "Could 'ave done 'im then an' there too!"

Dick sighed. His second was nothing if not youthful piss and vinegar.

"Alfie, we have discussed this. Lord Chumley is my load to bear. You are here strictly to see that those arms make it from the boats. You make the payment. You get them up the road to the farmhouse, and you see to it that they make the next leg. Then you get your ignorant arse back where it belongs. If I have to tell you once more where your place in this matter is, I will personally punt you into the sea."

"But Dick, ee's here. Your missus..."

"You know damned well to leave Margaret out of this, God rest her. She's beyond the cares of this life, without a doubt. You will go much further in the brotherhood if you lean the wisdom of silence. Haven't you gotten the worst of my temper enough in your life boy?"

Alfie let the threat hang, and studied his shoes intently.

"As I thought." Dick nodded as he checked himself in the mirror, straightening from the little toilette mirror to his full height.

"The Lion of Mons, and I are quite well acquainted, and certainly have much to discuss. You will serve best by seeing to your end. I will distract his lordship most adequately while you and the others do the real work. Then we'll all be done, and away. "

Alfie looked up from his shoes. "There's one other thing...a Frenchman...some sort of police I heard."

"Alfie, a little is best if well done."

"Is deas an rud an beagán ach é a dhéanamh go maith." Alfie echoed, obediently.

"Good. Now see to the others. I have a dinner engagement."

@

Jeeves reviewed the dinner-menu the cook had provided.

"Mrs. Soames, are you certain that Mussels would be appropriate with the fish course? It is still August, after all."

"Yes, but Mrs. Inglethorp served them only three nights ago, which everyone exclaimed over. And I thought they'd be a treat for that Belgian fellow who's visiting. I'll be sure to check them after Ethel brings them back from the market."

Jeeves knew that Mrs. Soames would never alow the Inglethorp's cook to outdo her. He considered what wine he would serve. The Muscadet, perhaps. The Mosel if the mussels were rejected after all. And if Soames overused the tarragon in the mussels? He'd have to think of an alternative in that event.

"Very well," Jeeves answered. "Could you also ask Ethel to pick up some halibut when she's at the market? I think I'll be having that for dinner tonight. Now excuse me, but I believe that Monsieur Poirot will be arriving shortly."

Mrs. Soames looked up to see that the butler had already left, apparently just as the bell rang, announcing the arrival of a guest. Jeeves was at the front door of the estate as Poirot's car pulled up.

@

Lord Peter hurried furtively through the estate rose garden by the light of the full moon. The sound of the tide coming in played a strong crescendo against the turmoil in his heart as approached the scenic sea cliffs and their view of the moonlight glinting on steely waves. This then, was the meeting place.

His intention had been to speak to Hercule before dealing with McMann, but the large man's carefully worded invitation to a pre-dinner brandy in the estate study had been too pressing to ignore. His worst fear was indeed realized. McMann claimed to have documented evidence of the years-old affair with his deceased wife. McMann also had assured him that he saw no need for a scandal, and was reassuring as any Ettin when he smiled and suggested they "might reach a gentleman's agreement."

All during dinner Peter had been too distracted by the meeting to properly entertain Poirot. Thank the heavens that He and Beth were prior acquaintances, they had resumed their companionship quite easily while Peter was distracted by what to offer the criminal McMann. Peter had begged his pardon from a headache before the dessert had even come to the table. From there he had shut himself in the study adjoining his suite leaving explicit wishes to not be disturbed.

Now it was well after the dinner hour. Slipping out had been easier than expected as Beth had not made a return to the suite yet. She must be still reminiscing with Hercule. The two of them being undoubtedly together was what had ultimately forced him to deal with McMann without first consulting Poirot. Dick may have shown a certain gentility on the surface, but just beneath that skin Peter knew there was murderous intent. Once Peter found out what McMann wanted, he and Hercule could devise a method to entrap the criminal in his own game. Of course, Elizabeth must never be the wiser, and he silently blessed his fortunes to know a man of such discretion as Poirot.

Lost in his own tumultuous thoughts, Lord Peter was quite unaware of the shadow that detached itself from a low group of large boulders near at hand.

***

In the small of the morning, the body of Lord Peter is discovered on the rocky shore at the base of the scenic cliff side a short walk from the main house by local fishermen. The tumult arising from the discovery brings the principle characters out to the seaside overlook. Dick McMann is extremely taciturn. He seems both grimly pleased, and mildly conflicted. All the same, he watches in prominent silence as the body is brought in all the while chewing the stump of his pipe.

@

In the early morning Poirot asks that has the body laid out for inspection in an out of the way place in the main house. Jeeves is quite in a fit trying to allay concerns for the guests, and keep the gossip to a minimum. Poirot is intrigued that Lord Peter does not seem to have sustained much trauma from the implied fall from the cliffs. One of the village fisherman comments idly on the lolling of the poor cadaver's head. 

"Must 'ave clean broke his neck..."

Inspection of the neck reveals nasty bruising beneath the ascot, showing that Lord Peter Chumley was likely strangled. (large, hand-shaped, and uneven bruising)

Poirot sends for Lady Chumley to discuss how to proceed, and question her about Peter's recent troubles. He also enlists Jeeves to find a way to maintain a clandestine watch on Dick McMann in the event that he reveals himself as the murderer, or attempts an escape.

@

I waited and waited and suddenly Poirot come through my door. I nearly knocked

him over. I wanted to feel safe, protected, and he didn't disappoint.

I asked him almost immediately if he found out anything, if he knew what had

happened?

He replied that this time it looked like it would be easier than anticipated.

When Peter was looked upon closely, he had a piece of fabric clutched to his

right hand. A piece of fabric that most likely came off of the killer's

clothing.

I asked him quickly who's clothing? WHO'S CLOTHING?

He told me that Dick had obviously not noticed that a small piece of his jacket

was missing, perhaps during the scuffle he didn't see it coming off ... but

Poirot saw it, and the piece matched.

I asked him why he hadn't done anything about it, why was Dick still roaming

free?

All in due time, he told me, all in due time.

(Guys, I'll be having little to no computer use from tomorrow until Wednesday

night because I'm off early tomorrow to a spiritual retreat. I'll post on

Wednesday night or Thursday. If I can I'll post earlier. Bye for now!)

Anabelle

Okay time to resolve the turn. We have three action submitted. Bryan says that Poirot discovers that Lord Peter was strangled (rather than breaking his neck in the fall). He sets Jeeves to watch Dick. Komrade Bob says YES AND Poirot discovers that Lord Peter had some kind of circulation disease and that his strangulation was self inflicted! Anabelle says YES AND  Poirot tells Lady Elizabeth that he found some torn cloth in the dead man’s right hand. Could it be from the murderers cloths? Lady E wonders why Poirot has not had Dick arrested immediately. “All in good time…”

I’m going to rate Bryan and Anabelle’s actions as Okay. I’m rating Komrade Bob’s action as Pretty unlikely – because I don’t think you can strangle yourself with your own hand. The dice gods will tell us what really happens. I’m viewing Bob and Anabelle’s actions as building off of Bryan’s action rather than one another so we know Bryan’s action will happen but other things may also happen.

Now the rolls: Bryan rolls a 4. Bob rolls a 1 (out). Anabelle rolls a 5. Next Bryan rolls a 6 and Anabelle rolls a 5. Both are still in. Next Bryan rolls a 1 (out) and Anabelle rolls a 5. Anabelle’s action wins so both her and Bryan’s actions happen.

I am so sneaky that way.

--- In MatrixGame2@yahoogroups.com, Chris Engle <HamsterPress@...> wrote:
>
> Anabelle has not said if this is a "no actually" so I'm going to interpret
> it as a "yes and". Poirot might be thinking Lady Elizabeth is guilty and is
> trying to set her up…
>
>
>
> Anabelle – let me kno if you disagree with my interpretation.
>
>
>
> Chris
>
>
> On Fri, Nov 13, 2009 at 11:30 PM, anabelleflorida <anabelleflorida@...
> > wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > I waited and waited and suddenly Poirot come through my door. I nearly
> > knocked him over. I wanted to feel safe, protected, and he didn't
> > disappoint.
> >
> > I asked him almost immediately if he found out anything, if he knew what
> > had happened?
> >
> > He replied that this time it looked like it would be easier than
> > anticipated. When Peter was looked upon closely, he had a piece of fabric
> > clutched to his right hand. A piece of fabric that most likely came off of
> > the killer's clothing.
> >
> > I asked him quickly who's clothing? WHO'S CLOTHING?
> >
> > He told me that Dick had obviously not noticed that a small piece of his
> > jacket was missing, perhaps during the scuffle he didn't see it coming off
> > ... but Poirot saw it, and the piece matched.
> >
> > I asked him why he hadn't done anything about it, why was Dick still
> > roaming free?
> >
> > All in due time, he told me, all in due time.
> >
> > (Guys, I'll be having little to no computer use from tomorrow until
> > Wednesday night because I'm off early tomorrow to a spiritual retreat. I'll
> > post on Wednesday night or Thursday. If I can I'll post earlier. Bye for
> > now!)
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Hamster Press = Engle Matrix Games
> http://HamsterPress.net
>

Anabelle has not said if this is a “no actually” so I’m going to interpret it as a “yes and”. Poirot might be thinking Lady Elizabeth is guilty and is trying to set her up…

Anabelle – let me kno if you disagree with my interpretation.

Chris

This shouldn’t be a problem. We can put off ending the next turn till Wednesday. We are still short one action for this turn.

Have a good retreat!

Chris

I waited and waited and suddenly Poirot come through my door. I nearly knocked
him over. I wanted to feel safe, protected, and he didn't disappoint.

I asked him almost immediately if he found out anything, if he knew what had
happened?

He replied that this time it looked like it would be easier than anticipated.
When Peter was looked upon closely, he had a piece of fabric clutched to his
right hand. A piece of fabric that most likely came off of the killer's
clothing.

I asked him quickly who's clothing? WHO'S CLOTHING?

He told me that Dick had obviously not noticed that a small piece of his jacket
was missing, perhaps during the scuffle he didn't see it coming off ... but
Poirot saw it, and the piece matched.

I asked him why he hadn't done anything about it, why was Dick still roaming
free?

All in due time, he told me, all in due time.


(Guys, I'll be having little to no computer use from tomorrow until Wednesday
night because I'm off early tomorrow to a spiritual retreat. I'll post on
Wednesday night or Thursday. If I can I'll post earlier. Bye for now!)

Good to know you’ve left Dick out. Otherwise I’d have thought he was in it.

Chris

So this is a “Yes and” with a bizarre twist. Interesting…

Chris

Strange and most curious. That was the only way to describe the body of Lord
Peter, now laid out for Poirot's examination in the study.

The little Belgian detective twitched his moustache, carelessly rubbing the
cleft of his stubbled chin, deep in thought.

Ah, the little grey cells, they fail me. Perhaps a bit too much cognac, I have
imbibed? Poirot was sure that he'd slipped down more than a few glasses during
his time reminiscing with Elizabeth into the early hours of the morning.

Poirot, paced around the body, for what seemed the thousandth time. What was
wrong? Something surely, but he could not lay his finger on it.

Aha. what? The fingers! Of course!

Poirot quickly grasped the dead man's hand and held it up for examination. The
nails glistened clean, save for the odd bit of sand near the cuticle. Nothing at
all was driven beneath them, nor were they scratched or torn. On the other hand
( Poirot chuckled to himself at the inadverdant bon mot), they did show a slight
bluish discoloration, as if from very poor circulation, and not of the advanced
sort one might associate with an age-related malady.

Quickly, Poirot again examined the dead man's throat bruising. Clearly, the deep
hand shaped bruising had been caused by heavy pressure there, and from the
front, but the angle seemed odd to him. Cautiously, Poirot moved the corpses own
arm upward ( noting the strangely pliant state of the muscles given the time of
death).

In fact, Poirot's guess was correct: The bruise pattern fit Lord Peter's very
own hand. A quick follow-up experiment on the left arm also matched perfectly to
the bruises on the opposite side of the throat.

How very interesting, thought Poirot. It seems Lord Peter's wounds had been self
inflicted, but why?

MURDER AT MAIDENHEAD

THE CAST

M. Hercule Poirot/Komrade Bob

Lady Elizabeth/Anabelle

Dick McMann/Bryan

Jeeves/Eric

Story Opener:

Opening: Poirot has joined Lord Peter and his wife at Maidenhead.

1. Introduction

Lady Elizabeth wants Poirot to save her from Lord Peter.

Poirot has avoided Elizabeth for years. Lord Peter fears for his life.

Dick McMann is up to no good – is he IRA?

Jeeves has everything perfect for the guest’s arrival.

2. Lord Peter has just been discovered murdered. What are people’s responses?

Lord Peter wants to talk to Poirot but gets lured out on a cliff by Dick who has blackmail evidence on him. Lord Peter is found dead on the rocks the next morning by fishermen. Dick is grimly pleased.

3. What is Poirot’s first real clue?

I want everyone to send in their version of the next scene. Remember you can put words into other character’s mouths. So everyone can potentially control what Poirot finds.

4. What clue comes up that points suspicion away from Dick and on to someone else? (i.e. the Red Herring).
5. What happens that shows the red herring to smell fishy?
6. What is the next clue that swings attention back to Dick?
7. What is the decisive clue?
8. What happens when Poirot gathers everyone in the study?
9. What are Dick’s parting shots as the police take him away?
10.  Extro – Each player describes what happens to their character after the fact. There are no rolls unless players contradict one another.

THE STORY SO FAR…

Lord Peter Chumley has invited Hercule down to the sea side for the weekend. They are to meet in the quaint sea side resort Maidenhead. Poirot drives down to the coast in his brand new open top Mercedes. It has been years since he last saw Lord Peter… and his wife. Ah! The lovely Lady Elizabeth! Ah… what could have been… What is that? The smell of the ocean? Mon Diu I am there!

@

Lady Elizabeth’s Introduction

I can't wait to see Poirot ... I've missed him. It is a deep secret but Poirot and I have had intimate relations in the past. At one time I thought of leaving Peter for him, but he wouldn't have me. He did say he loved me ... not with words, but in his own unique way, though he wasn't willing to commit to me in the past. I really wish he would, I would leave with this very night!

I have just found out Dick will also be at this resort and I know he deeply hates Peter. Did Dick know we were going to be there? Coincidence?

I'm a bit worried about being there with the two of them.

Peter doesn't know that I know, but Poirot informed me years ago that Peter and Dick's wife, Margaret, had been having a long running affair. I was hurt, yes, and it's part of the reason Poirot and I began our affair, but It's over now, I think, but I know Dick figured it out somehow and has hated Peter ever since. I have a bad feeling about this possible encounter between the two. I'll do my best to keep them away from each other or to diffuse any kind of conflict that may arise.

I am looking my best and plan to turn it ALL on for Poirot. I would love for him to take the initiative, to suggest we go away together because quite frankly I will never be able to leave Peter unless there is some kind of supportive incentive.

@

Poirot would not be considered a nervous man, but now he was positively fidgetting, though perhaps he himself wouldn't have noted nor admitted to it. A quick re-adjustment of his bowtie, the tuck of a single unruly tuft of hair behind an ear, the third tug at a not-quite-right left sleeve cuff on his quick stride between his car and the lobby.

Poirot sighed quietly. "How Hastings would chuckle in amazement if he could see me!"

It had been years since Poirot had seen Peter or Elizabeth, so the invitation to Maidenhead came to him as a surprise. In truth, Poirot had been avoiding the couple since his last meeting with Elizabeth. Undoubtedly Peter knew that Hercule and Elizabeth had known one another before the war. Elizabeth had been little more than a girl, travelling on the continent to study the arts, Poirot a police inspector in Brussels. Neither would have met had it not been for a rather delicate affair involving a switched Renoir that the girl gotten herself embroiled in.

The affair itself was all too brief. Elizabeth returned to England, while Poirot promised to meet her there the following spring. Instead, war had come to Belgium in that late summer, and when Poirot finally arrived it was as a penniless refugee on a chilly October morning. It was through The Times that Poirot learned of Elizabeth's engagement to Peter, Lord Chumley, the dashing young Lion of Mons.

With great sadness, Poirot had closed the paper, and thought he'd closed that chapter of his life. Ten years later, in the spring of '24, fate intervened. An investigation into lost governement papers and panda-smuggling ( Poirot had by then already become a well-trusted consultant to the British police) had led to a chance meeting with Lord Peter and Elizabeth while they were on holiday in Spain.

Elizabeth had blossomed from a girl into a gracious, beautiful woman in the intervening years. Poirot was nearly overcome by a singularly gallic urge to abandon his well-maintained facade as the meticulous consulting detective (developed, almost accidently, over the years, for the benefit of his anglais friends and patrons)and rekindle the long-gone romance.

The arrival in the picture of Arthur Hastings, Poirot's longtime English companion and fellow investigator, had snapped Hercule back. Hastings had served with Lord Peter at Mons, and what might have become an embarassing moment involving the chance meeting developed instead into an evening of good companionship on a warm Mediterranean shoreline.

"Damn Hastings anyway! And Damn English propriety, too!"

And what of propriety? Poirot had discovered the lost papers and in the end quashed the panda-smuggling ring. In the process, and quite by accident, Poirot discovered that Lord Peter had been having a long running affair with Margaret McMann, wife of Dick McMann a great brute of a man and probable member of the British underworld.

Poirot hmself didn't know what made him reveal Peter and Margaret's affair to Elizabeth, in those few moments they had alone together, that last day in Spain, along a sunny seaside. Jealousy perhaps? Rekindled desire in an aging man? A momentary grasp for at might have been?

Poirot had left Elizabeth silently, and walked away from all of it that day. A few holiday cards and short letters had passed between them after afterwards, all coldly and necesarily polite, trailing off to nearly nothing over the next few years. Until, that is, the recent mysterious invitation from Lord Peter to meet him here at Maidenhead arrived one week ago.

Poirot's mind was brought out of its wanderings by the appearance of Lord Peter, striding purposefully towards him, across the lobby.

"Thank god you've arrived Poirot!"

Lord Peter grasped Poirot's hand and arm fiercely, leaning in close whispering to him.

"I'm a marked man, Poirot. I swear it is so. Unless you can help me, I'll be dead by the end of this week!"

@

"CRECIT SUB PONDERE VIRTUS"

Dick watched the reversed, blued Latin letters on his chest disappear in the mirror as he buttoned up his shirt and pulled on his tie. "Virtue thrives under adversity" he silently translated. Indeed. A grim smile split his lantern jaw as he knotted his tie.

To think that here, of all places that the marker could be called and in such good time too. It was positively beautiful...

From the adjoining apartment Alfie came in, and appeared close at hand in the mirror.

"Dick, He's here!" Alfie's voice was an excited rush. "Word came up an hour ago from the lads runnin' luggage! His wife too, of course..." Alfie's hands clenched the empty air in a decisive twisting motion. "Could 'ave done 'im then an' there too!"

Dick sighed. His second was nothing if not youthful piss and vinegar.

"Alfie, we have discussed this. Lord Chumley is my load to bear. You are here strictly to see that those arms make it from the boats. You make the payment. You get them up the road to the farmhouse, and you see to it that they make the next leg. Then you get your ignorant arse back where it belongs. If I have to tell you once more where your place in this matter is, I will personally punt you into the sea."

"But Dick, ee's here. Your missus..."

"You know damned well to leave Margaret out of this, God rest her. She's beyond the cares of this life, without a doubt. You will go much further in the brotherhood if you lean the wisdom of silence. Haven't you gotten the worst of my temper enough in your life boy?"

Alfie let the threat hang, and studied his shoes intently.

"As I thought." Dick nodded as he checked himself in the mirror, straightening from the little toilette mirror to his full height.

"The Lion of Mons, and I are quite well acquainted, and certainly have much to discuss. You will serve best by seeing to your end. I will distract his lordship most adequately while you and the others do the real work. Then we'll all be done, and away. "

Alfie looked up from his shoes. "There's one other thing...a Frenchman...some sort of police I heard."

"Alfie, a little is best if well done."

"Is deas an rud an beagán ach é a dhéanamh go maith." Alfie echoed, obediently.

"Good. Now see to the others. I have a dinner engagement."

@

Jeeves reviewed the dinner-menu the cook had provided.

"Mrs. Soames, are you certain that Mussels would be appropriate with the fish course? It is still August, after all."

"Yes, but Mrs. Inglethorp served them only three nights ago, which everyone exclaimed over. And I thought they'd be a treat for that Belgian fellow who's visiting. I'll be sure to check them after Ethel brings them back from the market."

Jeeves knew that Mrs. Soames would never alow the Inglethorp's cook to outdo her. He considered what wine he would serve. The Muscadet, perhaps. The Mosel if the mussels were rejected after all. And if Soames overused the tarragon in the mussels? He'd have to think of an alternative in that event.

"Very well," Jeeves answered. "Could you also ask Ethel to pick up some halibut when she's at the market? I think I'll be having that for dinner tonight. Now excuse me, but I believe that Monsieur Poirot will be arriving shortly."

Mrs. Soames looked up to see that the butler had already left, apparently just as the bell rang, announcing the arrival of a guest. Jeeves was at the front door of the estate as Poirot's car pulled up.

@

Lord Peter hurried furtively through the estate rose garden by the light of the full moon. The sound of the tide coming in played a strong crescendo against the turmoil in his heart as approached the scenic sea cliffs and their view of the moonlight glinting on steely waves. This then, was the meeting place.

His intention had been to speak to Hercule before dealing with McMann, but the large man's carefully worded invitation to a pre-dinner brandy in the estate study had been too pressing to ignore. His worst fear was indeed realized. McMann claimed to have documented evidence of the years-old affair with his deceased wife. McMann also had assured him that he saw no need for a scandal, and was reassuring as any Ettin when he smiled and suggested they "might reach a gentleman's agreement."

All during dinner Peter had been too distracted by the meeting to properly entertain Poirot. Thank the heavens that He and Beth were prior acquaintances, they had resumed their companionship quite easily while Peter was distracted by what to offer the criminal McMann. Peter had begged his pardon from a headache before the dessert had even come to the table. From there he had shut himself in the study adjoining his suite leaving explicit wishes to not be disturbed.

Now it was well after the dinner hour. Slipping out had been easier than expected as Beth had not made a return to the suite yet. She must be still reminiscing with Hercule. The two of them being undoubtedly together was what had ultimately forced him to deal with McMann without first consulting Poirot. Dick may have shown a certain gentility on the surface, but just beneath that skin Peter knew there was murderous intent. Once Peter found out what McMann wanted, he and Hercule could devise a method to entrap the criminal in his own game. Of course, Elizabeth must never be the wiser, and he silently blessed his fortunes to know a man of such discretion as Poirot.

Lost in his own tumultuous thoughts, Lord Peter was quite unaware of the shadow that detached itself from a low group of large boulders near at hand.

***

In the small of the morning, the body of Lord Peter is discovered on the rocky shore at the base of the scenic cliff side a short walk from the main house by local fishermen. The tumult arising from the discovery brings the principle characters out to the seaside overlook. Dick McMann is extremely taciturn. He seems both grimly pleased, and mildly conflicted. All the same, he watches in prominent silence as the body is brought in all the while chewing the stump of his pipe.

Time to do turn resolution. I’ve had two actions submitted. Bryan had Lord Peter wanting to talk to Poirot but getting lured out on a cliff by Dick who has blackmail evidence on him. Lord Peter is found dead on the rocks the next morning by fishermen. Dick is grimly pleased. Anabelle builds on this with a “Yes And” Lady Elizabeth was distraught that Lord Peter did not come home and then went into shock when news of the death reached her. She suspects Dick and rushes to Poirot’s arms for comfort. I’m going to call them both “okay” and by the rules of this version of the game one of them WILL happen.

Time for the dice rolling contest! Both sides need a roll of 4 to 6 to stay in play. Rolling continues till only one player remains. If both roll out, both come back into play.

Bryan rolls a 6 and Anabelle a 4. Next Bryan rolls a 4 and Anabelle a 1. Anabelle’s action drops out so Bryan’s action is what happens in the scene. Bryan earns 2 victory points for winning the actions. Bryan, Anabelle, and Bob earn 1 extra victory point each because their characters appeared in the scene.

I’m going to interpret this as a “Yes and” to Bryan’s action.

Chris