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Isaiah Bartlett, crazy wise man

Grognardsw wrote:


Meanwhile, Reginald and Isaiah confirm their mutual suspicions that Agent Baines is holding back information. They wonder if it is just Baines, or the BOI itself. Baines' partner Ezekial Smith seemed more straight forward, according to Robert Angell. Isaiah hopes to get more information from the elusive Baines in private conversation.

As the two chat they see two Providence police officers exit building no. 93 carrying a large open box filled with books and random items.

Isaiah Bartlett wonders: what is this place, 93 Court Street? He assumed that it's either the agent's home or some sort of official institution - but now it seems more like a usual domestic building.

"Do you know this place? Where are we?" he asks Reginald, "and what are they doing?" he points at the two uniforms hauling a crate.

"More books stolen from your shop?" he says, risking a slight joke.

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer

Fulci wrote:Isaiah Bartlett, crazy wise man
Isaiah Bartlett wonders: what is this place, 93 Court Street? He assumed that it's either the agent's home or some sort of official institution - but now it seems more like a usual domestic building.

"Do you know this place? Where are we?" he asks Reginald, "and what are they doing?" he points at the two uniforms hauling a crate.

"More books stolen from your shop?" he says, risking a slight joke.

I know this place, says Reginald, silently cursing himself for giving up too easily the other day. Amongst Timothy's scribblings, he noted this address. Come with me.

Reginald approaches the officers. Excuse me, officers. We're working with the Bureau of Investigation. Would you mind if I took a look inside that box? Where did this stuff come from?

OOC:Do I need to roll a Persuade check or anything??

Baines follows the running boy through the first floor hallway, down the back stairs, and into the basement. The BOI agent sees the kid exit by the building back door. Now in the street that runs west of the courtyard complex, Baines gives chase up the street. He is about 40' from the boy. People on the street stop and look at the chase.



(Two more percentile rolls should do it for Baines.)





Meanwhile, Reginald boldly bluffs the police officers. (Yes, please make a Persuade roll.)

As this happens Isaiah wonders if his police "consultant" relationship may be helpful.

Grognardsw wrote:Meanwhile, Reginald boldly bluffs the police officers. (Yes, please make a Persuade roll.)

As this happens Isaiah wonders if his police "consultant" relationship may be helpful.

"I'm Isaiah Bartlett," the old man says, "I was brought in as an outside consultant due to some peculiarities of the case, I'm aiding agent Baines. We were told to... wait for him here while he gets back."

Isaiah is indeed some sort of a consultant, even if his status is not very well-defined, so he is not "lying". Still, I made a roll: [1d100] = 13

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer
Persuade (35) [1d100] = 37
Not cool, US Dice Roller. Not Cool.

The police officer holding the box looks suspiciously at Reginald as the book dealer poses as a BOI agent. "What malarkey are you feeding me buddy? Got some identification to that effect?"

Isaiah steps forward, explaining his role in the murder investigations. The two police officers confer.

"I think I heard something about that, but you gotta checks with the lieutenant upstairs, fourth floor. If he gives the word we'll show you the boxes. We're loading them in the car."

Isaiah Bartlett, crazy wise man

"Fourth floor, you say? That's a lot of stairs to ascend," sighs Isaiah. "Does the building have one of those, what you call them... elevators?"

He glances inside the building through the half-open door.

"How about Mr. Wilkins here goes up and gets clearance from the lieutenant, while I just sit down here and wait. Of course, if needed, I can go up myself too."

"Something's not right," Isaiah thinks to himself. "All these officers, acting on different orders. Who knows, what if these men take off with the crates while I am climbing those stairs?"

Gwen Baines - BOI

Baines digs deep to release the last bit of energy he has, "Stop him, STOP HIM".

Chase: [1d100] = 32, Chase: [1d100] = 65

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer

Grognardsw wrote:The police officer holding the box looks suspiciously at Reginald as the book dealer poses as a BOI agent. "What malarkey are you feeding me buddy? Got some identification to that effect?"

Isaiah steps forward, explaining his role in the murder investigations. The two police officers confer.

"I think I heard something about that, but you gotta checks with the lieutenant upstairs, fourth floor. If he gives the word we'll show you the boxes. We're loading them in the car."

I think you misunderstood me, officer, says Reginald, with what he hopes is an affable smile. I am but a simple shopkeeper. But my friend and I here, indicating Isaiah, are in fact working with the Bureau of Investigations. Agent Baines had to, um, run off, briefly, but he will be back momentarily.

I'm sure you don't want Mr. Bartlett here to have to climb four flights of stairs, putting his health at risk. I'll go up and check with the lieutenant. Reginald nods to Isaiah and then heads into the building.

Baines puts on a final burst of energy and catches up with the teenage thief.

(You can roll for grapple, or punch, or other action.)





Reginald smooths his story over with mention of the Bureau of Investigation. The policeman agrees to him going up to the apartment instead of Isaiah.

"You say a BOI man was here already?" the officer asks. "We didn't see him upon arrival. We got reports of shooting in the courtyard. Who is this agent?"

Isaiah Bartlett, crazy wise man

Grognardsw wrote:
Reginald smooths his story over with mention of the Bureau of Investigation. The policeman agrees to him going up to the apartment instead of Isaiah.

"You say a BOI man was here already?" the officer asks. "We didn't see him upon arrival. We got reports of shooting in the courtyard. Who is this agent?"

"Agent Baines is his name, Gwen Baines," Isaiah says, stepping closer to the police car and leaning against it, to rest a bit.

"We arrived together with him, a couple of minutes ago, but he had to check on something beforehand and told us to wait for him here. I'm sure he'll be back soon, he went over there somewhere," he says, signaling towards the house where he last saw Baines. "I don't know about the shootings though..."

For some reason, Isaiah feels that he shouldn't tell the policemen why exactly the agent had to depart so quickly.

Gwen Baines, BOI

When he caught up with the boy, he raised his fist, "I don't like to use my fist but you forced my hand", he brings his fist in direct contact to the kid's back in an attempt to knock him over. "Now, two things and I will let you be on your way", he catches his breath, "First, give me back my belongings and second, why did you take it? Did someone order you to do so?"

Punch(70): [1d100] = 16

Isaiah Bartlet talks with the police officer in the courtyard while Reginald walks into the building.

"We'll need to speak with this Baines," says the officer to Isaiah. "Make sure he checks in with us."





Reginald Wilkins enters the building. The foyer smells, pieces of mail litter the floor, and a puddle of vomit is in the corner. The left wall is a bank of mailboxes, each labeled with apartment number and last name. An inner door leads into the apartment building proper.

The elevator is broken. An inverted whirlpool of concrete and shadow, the tenement stairwell drags up Reginal past bad smells, baby screams, staticky radios. On the fourth floor the book dealer sees the police at the end of the hallway before the door of an apartment. Reginald explains to the lieutenant about Isaiah Bartlett and the investigation. While not familiar with the murder investigation, the lieutenant is aware of it.

"You think this is connected? How? What do you know about the shooting?" he asks, scratching his forehead.

"Well look around, but don't take anything."

The two-bedroom apartment walls are covered with strange and exotic drawings; foreign books are scattered about; strange small statues and sculptures sit atop the books. Reginald sees a pile of old pages ripped free from an unseen book; his missing Unauspralichen Kulten pages! Piles of mail are littered about, many bearing return addresses in Amsterdam and New York. The place stinks of incense and after shave and something else, something pungent and bitter, a reptile house perfume. Reginald continues looking, wondering if this warrants Isaiah's presence as well.





Baines catches up to the fleeing thief, whacks him on the back and he stumbles. The BOI agent stands over him.

The boy throws the wallet and notebook at Baines legs. "I was just lookin for food and found your stuff!" He's starts to cry crocodile tears which Baines thinks aren't real. A few passer-byes stop to see what is going on. "Me and my sister need money to eat! We ain't got no dad! Stop hitting me!"

Anders Molin wrote:Eddie Sharpe, reporter
"Oh, I'm just asking about strange occurences because of a hunch, nothing more. Thank you for your help, Dr Morgan!" Eddie finished the phone call, sat back in his chair, lit a cigarette and consulted his notebook.

Thinking back on the events at the Angell apartment this morning, Eddie reflected on the fact that Reginald did not know the identity of Timothy's new client. Eddie had not been willing to share that information with the BOI agent around, but it now seemed the next logical step. Eddie assumed he needed to wait for Reginald to see the note Eddie had left at the book shop, or to go over there again later on.

Eddie wonders how things are going with the othes. He considers his leads. It seems that something deeper than a random crazy murderer is going on, at least according to Isaiah Bartlett. And Reginald's theory about a new drug sounds logical: "It appears some new drug is involved, then it is having the same effects here, with Timothy, and elsewhere, because we are seeing the same effects. Since they are all being discovered around the same time, isn't it safe to assume that the same person or group is distributing the drug? Doesn't that imply a conspiracy?"


The reporter looks at his checklist: Call on Stompy re Hepcats of Ulthar. Talk with Ezekial Smith, Baines partner. Coax more out of Reginald and Isaiah. Carver's new client- who is he? Carver went to D.P. Freak Show two nights in a row - significant?

Eddie calls the Arkham Gazette office to check for messages. He finds one was left for him by Marius Albertoni, the hunter. A copy boy reads it: "Couldn't find trail for lost goat. How could that be? When I walked down to my mailbox at end of road, I saw a midget going through my mail. When he saw me approaching, drove away in rickety truck with another driving. Concerned."

Eddie Sharpe, reporter

Eddie pulled frantically at his cigarette as he tried to sort out which lead to pursue. Midgets going through Marius's mail - I'll wager a pretty dollar it's that carny from the Freak Show!, the reporter said to himself. I should really head back to Arkham soon - but I still have things to do here, and I can't sit around waiting for Reginald or that crazy old man to call on me.

Lighting another cigarette, Eddie reached for the phone and called Stompy's jazz and juice joint in Arkham. Might as well put the time to good use and see what's so special with these Hepcats, Eddie thought.

Reginald Wilkins, bookdealer

Grognardsw wrote:Reginald Wilkins enters the building. The foyer smells, pieces of mail litter the floor, and a puddle of vomit is in the corner. The left wall is a bank of mailboxes, each labeled with apartment number and last name. An inner door leads into the apartment building proper.

The elevator is broken. An inverted whirlpool of concrete and shadow, the tenement stairwell drags up Reginal past bad smells, baby screams, staticky radios. On the fourth floor the book dealer sees the police at the end of the hallway before the door of an apartment. Reginald explains to the lieutenant about Isaiah Bartlett and the investigation. While not familiar with the murder investigation, the lieutenant is aware of it.

"You think this is connected? How? What do you know about the shooting?" he asks, scratching his forehead.

"Well look around, but don't take anything."

The two-bedroom apartment walls are covered with strange and exotic drawings; foreign books are scattered about; strange small statues and sculptures sit atop the books. Reginald sees a pile of old pages ripped free from an unseen book; his missing Unauspralichen Kulten pages! Piles of mail are littered about, many bearing return addresses in Amsterdam and New York. The place stinks of incense and after shave and something else, something pungent and bitter, a reptile house perfume. Reginald continues looking, wondering if this warrants Isaiah's presence as well.

Mr. Bartlett and I are more what you’d call … consultants, says Reginald. The Bureau agent has the details, you should check with him about all the connections. Name of Baines.To himself, Reginald wonders what shooting the cop is talking about.

Reginald’s heart skips a beat when he sees the Unauspralichen Kulten pages. Reginald will inspect each missing page carefully, to see whether any of Timothy’s odd jibberish or drawings are on any of the missing pages. Reginald keeps the pages in his hands, not wanting to let go. Perhaps he can rebind the book, back at the shop.

Reginald continues to inspect the apartment, looking for any clues that the cops might have missed. OOC: Is the smell at all similar to Timothy/Angell’s apartment? Does Reginald recognize any of the names or addresses from the mail? Does he recognize any other esoteric or old books/pages in the apartment? What about the statues/sculptures? Does Reginald recognize any, either from his books or his previous studies? Does recognize the drawings at all?

Regardless of the answers to the above,Reginald decides that Isaiah should see this place. He seems to have some prior experience with whatever group is behind all these strange events.

On his way out, Reginald will speak with the lieutenant. Your man missed an important piece of evidence, Lieutenant, says Reginald, indicating the Unauspralichen Kulten pages. I need to get Bartlett up here to inspect the apartment. Make sure your men don’t touch anything else. I’ll also need to see the items that your man took from here.

Gwen Baines - BOI

Baines sighs and shakes his head, he crouches and picks up his notepad and wallet, "Kid, when you are trying to lie, you should try to not make it so obvious, throw in some truth in the mix so I can at least be half fooled", he checks the wallet to see if anything is missing then takes out a dollar, "Now, tell me who asked you to steal it and don't you dare give me bullshit about you needing money, then why did you take the notepad? Or does your SISTER go to school and need something to write in?", he dangles the dollar in front of him, "tell me who asked you to do this and this dollar is yours, at least tell me for the sake of your hungry sister". he smiles devilishly,not something he does usually.

Eddie calls Stompy's and reaches the day manager Charlie, who he knows. "Hepcats of Ulthar? That name sticks in my head, it's a doozy of a name. I've heard of them, but they've never played here. Some bad or brilliant jazz, depending on who you ask. They got this schtick where the singer starts singing in some other language."





Reginald is glad to have the missing pages of his book back. Was this Carcosa the "client" then of Timothy? Reginal recalls what Timothy said when he first confronted him in his apartment: "I gave up the pages, one knowledge for another. I need more."

Some of the pages do indeed have the scribblings of Timothy. Reginald realizes the smell in this apartment is not similar to Timothy's apartment. Among the mail, Reginald notes three addresses 121 Chapel Hill Road, London, address for a Church of Starry Wisdom; 169 Oudezijds Voorburgwal, Amsterdam; Konstantin Chertovskii, The Shunned House, 16 Shady Lane, Brooklyn, NY.

Of the other books in the apartment, many are occult books of a general nature though some are more rare and will take more time to review properly. Other books include local histories of New England, including several geology and archeology books. The small statues are abstract physical shapes for the most part, though several appear to have human like limbs, and one more an amorphous mass of tentacles. The drawings on the wall are largely reprints of surrealists, but there are a half-dozen disturbing originals signed by 'Pickman.'

Reginald goes to get Isaiah, who he realizes may have more insights on the apartment contents.





Around the corner and down the street, BOI Agent Gwen Baines bribes the boy. The youth looks around, gets up, furtively takes the dollar bill.

"It was Darrin McCoy, one of Danny Walsh's boys," he says.

Baines, who has a working knowledge of the bigger gangs, recognizes the name of Danny Walsh, the head of the Irish gangs here in Providence.

Isaiah Bartlett, crazy wise man

Reginald comes back and explains to the policemen, that the lieutenant gave permission to the two BOI consultants. Isaiah proposes that they take a quick look at the contents of the crate, and then sets off on his long and dangerous journey from the ground floor and up to the fourth...

On the way up, he inquires from Reginald:
"Whose apartment is this?"

Once they arrive up to the flat, Isaiah greets the lieutenant, and starts examining the room. He takes a good look at the various artworks scattered all over the place.

Gwen Baines - BOI

"Good kid, that wasn't bad was it? Say hi to your sister from me okay? Now run along", Baines immediately opens his notebook and makes a note of the name given to him by the kid. He looks around to see if there is anyone keeping an eye at him, other than the normal bystanders who are just curious about the incident.

If he notices no strange presence he will go back to where he left his new companions and look for them.