Session 13: Difference between revisions
From Tatters of the King
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=== Friday January 12th 1930 === | === Friday January 12th 1930 === | ||
The ship steams across the Red Sea on the 2-day leg to the port of Aden. In mid-morning, Withers receives a telegram. Though he does not immediately reveal its contents and does not appear to be unhappy at receiving it, it clearly gives him pause | The ship steams across the Red Sea on the 2-day leg to the port of Aden. In mid-morning, Withers receives a telegram. Though he does not immediately reveal its contents and does not appear to be unhappy at receiving it, it clearly gives him pause. As the day progresses his friends can see an occasional smile, although he doesn't share the content and evades any questions on it. | ||
At lunch, Mrs [[Tullis]] announces her planned Gilbert and Sullivan recital, "[[William and Arthur]]", and allocates songs to each of the guests. Realising their voices are not strong, the investigators decide to start rehearsing that afternoon, but [[Julian Knight]] does not turn up. The rehearsal is not encouraging. | At lunch, Mrs [[Tullis]] announces her planned Gilbert and Sullivan recital, "[[William and Arthur]]", and allocates songs to each of the guests. Realising their voices are not strong, the investigators decide to start rehearsing that afternoon, but [[Julian Knight]] does not turn up. The rehearsal is not encouraging. | ||
Francessca, who is getting concerned that her friend Patricia is falling rather heavily for Captain Withers and that she has seen little evidence that he returns the feeling, expresses to Nathaniel that [Captain Withers]] should make his intentions towards her clear. Both Withers and Brown think that it might be better to come from her in a non direct and more face saving way but Francessca is insistent and says that Patricia has recently been badly hurt by a man and that it is important that Captain Withers doesn't behave in a similar fashion. | |||
So later that evening an extremely reluctant and highly embarrased Captain Withers suggests a walk along the deck after dinner. Although he does his best to let her down lightly Patricia reacts badly, seemly accusing Withers of not likeing her because she's too quiet and not listening to his urgent denails and confessions of already loving another before he meet her. Patrician eventually disolves into tears and runs off into the night to [[Francesca Nicholson]] for comfort. | |||
Also that very evening Francesca declared her love to [[Nathaniel Browne]], who returned the feelings in full. | |||
=== Saturday January 13th 1930 === | === Saturday January 13th 1930 === | ||
Revision as of 14:58, 15 September 2006
Session Report - Played Monday 11th September, 2006
Friday January 12th 1930
The ship steams across the Red Sea on the 2-day leg to the port of Aden. In mid-morning, Withers receives a telegram. Though he does not immediately reveal its contents and does not appear to be unhappy at receiving it, it clearly gives him pause. As the day progresses his friends can see an occasional smile, although he doesn't share the content and evades any questions on it.
At lunch, Mrs Tullis announces her planned Gilbert and Sullivan recital, "William and Arthur", and allocates songs to each of the guests. Realising their voices are not strong, the investigators decide to start rehearsing that afternoon, but Julian Knight does not turn up. The rehearsal is not encouraging.
Francessca, who is getting concerned that her friend Patricia is falling rather heavily for Captain Withers and that she has seen little evidence that he returns the feeling, expresses to Nathaniel that [Captain Withers]] should make his intentions towards her clear. Both Withers and Brown think that it might be better to come from her in a non direct and more face saving way but Francessca is insistent and says that Patricia has recently been badly hurt by a man and that it is important that Captain Withers doesn't behave in a similar fashion.
So later that evening an extremely reluctant and highly embarrased Captain Withers suggests a walk along the deck after dinner. Although he does his best to let her down lightly Patricia reacts badly, seemly accusing Withers of not likeing her because she's too quiet and not listening to his urgent denails and confessions of already loving another before he meet her. Patrician eventually disolves into tears and runs off into the night to Francesca Nicholson for comfort.
Also that very evening Francesca declared her love to Nathaniel Browne, who returned the feelings in full.
Saturday January 13th 1930
In late morning the ship docks at the port of Aden. Passengers go ashore and visit the town. Withers goes into town to try and find some flowers to make up for his rejection of Ms. Berry, but can find none of quality in the dingy town. Browne stays on board as Francesca is comforting Patricia. Patricia Berry is absent from both lunch and dinner, but is witnessed by Nathaniel and Francesca that evening on the dancefloor with Julian Knight, clearly the worse for drink and equally clearly trying to spite Withers. Francesca advises Nathaniel that anything they try to do will only make things worse, an Nathaniel advises George to stay away from the ballroom.
Sunday January 14th 1930
Withers meets with Julian Knight and warns him not to mistreat Patricia Berry or sully her honour. Knight sneers at Withers, saying that it is Withers who has wronged her.
That evening Table 8 dines with the Captain and Knight is sober, charming and a perfect gentleman.
Monday January 15th 1930
The investigators speak at length to Umberto while making plans of what to do when they reach India. They agree to allow him to accompany them on the trail of Malcolm Quarrie.
Once more Julian Knight dances with Patricia Berry, but he remains sober and is a gentleman throughout the evening.
Tuesday January 16th 1930
The last full day aboard the ship, Tuesday ends with the passengers' concert. Each table in the dining room puts on its own show - varying from short melodrama to poetic recitation. Table 8 delivers "William and Arthur" with great success. Much champagne is drunk and everyone parties into the night.
Wednesday January 17th 1930
Saunders and Browne awake with severe hangovers as the Malabar Coast hoves into view. The ship docks at Bombay in mid-morning and the passengers disembark.
Mrs Tullis takes charge of making sure everyone's luggage is gathered and transport arranged to the Taj Mahal hotel, where she has insisted everyone spend their first night (she can get a group discount on this finest of indian hotels).
A dockside photograph of the table 8 crew is arranged. Patricia Berry looks unhappy, and Withers is concerned.
A few minutes later, as the table 8 crew says their farewells (thought they plan to meet later for a meal), there is a sudden scream from Francesca Nicholson. The investigators turn to see her looking down into the water from the dock. "Patricia fell in!" she yells. In seconds Withers has dived into the water and is trying to save Ms Berry, but she fights him and its obvious she intends to drown herself. It's all Withers can do to keep her head above water, but soon Saunders jumps in to help, and between the two men, Patricia is brought to the steps and safety.
"Why did you do it?", asks Withers.
"It was Julian," she sobs, "what he did to me."
Furious, Withers leaves Patricia with Saunders and rushes up the steps, storming past a confused Browne, to find Julian Knight, who can be seen boarding a taxi. 'Stop right there, you son of a bitch!' Withers yells as he runs after Knight. It looks like Knight may escape, but as the taxi starts out it is cut off by a produce truck. Withers drags Knight out of the taxi and there is a fist fight. Mrs Tullis steps in to prevent interference by the local constabulary as the two men spar. The two land a few blows before Withers ends the fight with a body blow followed by a right cross which drops Knight like a sack of spuds.
As Withers stands over the battered, bleeding diplomat, Miss Berry walks over and, with all the dignity she can muster, points at Knight and loudly says "That man raped me!"
Knight is arrested. Mrs Tullis assures the group that her connections will ensure that Julian will have great difficulty exercising his diplomatic immunity.
As soon as a doctor has looked at Patricia, and given her a clean bill of health, Withers apologises for his profanity ('Quite reasonable in the circumstances, old boy!') and those without permanent accomodation in the city head for the Taj Mahal hotel accompanied by Mrs Tullis, who smoothes the way at every step.
