Session 13

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 - later he seems to be happier.

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.

That evening, after dinner, Patricia Berry declares her love to Withers. who promptly reveals to her that he loves another, and that she has misconstrued his behaviour. Heartbroken, Patricia runs off into the night and goes to Francesca Nicholson for comfort. That very evening Francesca has decalred her love to Nathaniel Browne, who returned the feelings in full.

Nathaniel's attitude to Withers, whose tactlessness has cost him time with Fransesca, cools somewhat for a couple of days.

Saturday January 13th 1930

The Port at Aden

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."

The Taj Mahal Hotel

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.