Session 2
From Tatters of the King
Contents |
Session Report - Played Monday 15th May, 2006
October 31st 1928, Halloween
Halloween. The four friends meet at Dr Bartlett's Wimbledon home on Wednesday evening, for a game of bridge. The house has been dressed with pumpkins and other spooky accoutrements by Mrs Bartlett. Dr Bartlett raises the subject of the play and mentions that he recently encountered references to various elements of its contents during a professional consultation.
Nathaniel Browne explains that such elements have already been published as part of Chambers' work and that this would explain where Bartlett's patient most likely encountered it.
November 1st 1928
Dr Bartlett meets Dr. Lionel Trollope in his London home. Trollope describes the Roby murders, and explains that he does not think Alexander Roby is now, or ever will be, fit for release.
Trollope seems drained and preoccupied.
Nathaniel Browne, desiring to peruse a copy of 'Le Roi en Jeune', calls Talbot Estus and reveals what he has so far discovered about the roots of the play. Intrigued by names in the play turning up in the works of Ambrose Bierce and thus having a possible source which predates 'Le Roi en Jeune', Estus arranges for Nathaniel to visit him for lunch the following day.
On his return home, Bartlett discovers that a man claiming to be a taxi driver was looking for his house earlier in the day, but never called. This appears to be the Tall Man, who makes more appearances later on.
November 2nd 1928
Nathaniel Browne keeps his lunch date with Talbot Estus. Arriving at the home of Estus and Michael Gillen, Nathaniel finds that Gillen is away on business. Over lunch, Browne and Estus describe their mutual enthusiasm for 'the King in Yellow'. Estus is surprised and offended by Nathaniel's insistence that the play was not performed as written, but nonetheless is persuaded to lend Browne his copy of 'Le Roi en Jeune'.
Dr Bartlett visits Grahame Roby who is belligerent and unhelpful, but does mention Delia Hartston.
Grahame Roby clearly does not have the slightest intention of consenting to Alexander Roby's release.
That evening, Bartlett dines with Withers and tells him what he has learned about the Roby case. Withers offers to attempt to trace Delia Hartston.
November 3rd 1928
Nathaniel Browne begins his own translation of 'Le Roi en Jeune', finding that it differs from Talbot Estus's play in some significant ways.
Withers, prompted by Bartlett engages a private investigator, by telephone, to trace Delia Hartston.
As evening falls, Dr. Lionel Trollope is murdered in St James' Park.
November 4th 1928
The Daily Express Reports the murder of Dr. Lionel Trollope in St James' Park, one of the suspects matches the description of the Tall Man.
A man, possibly the Tall Man delivers a housebrick to Captain George Withers at Victoria Barracks, in what appears to have been an exercise to confirm Withers' billet. Withers arranges to change his accommodation in reaction to this.
Later, Dr Bartlett receives a posthumous letter (page 1, page 2) from Trollope, mentioning Delia Hartston, Lawrence Bacon and Vincent Tuck. The letter appears to predict, in exact detail, the circumstances of Trollope's death. Trollope also reveals that Roby once had a book published - 'The Walker by the Lake'.
That afternoon, Bartlett receives a visit from Detective Inspector Andrew Taylor, investigating the Trollope murder, who is interviewing all those who had appointments with Trollope in the days before his death. Bartlett is reasonably open with Taylor, mentioning the mysterious activities of the Tall Man and the possible connection to the Roby Murders.
November 5th 1928, Guy Fawkes' Night
Fireworks at Dr Bartlett's house. They discuss the events of the last few days, during which it becomes clear that everyone knows that Bartlett has been consulting on the case of Alexander Roby.
Bartlett discusses the fact that he has been somewhat disturbed by his current work and that a friend of his (Dr. Lionel Trollope) has not only been murdered, but apparently predicted the exact circumstances of his demise in his letter to Bartlett. He urges Browne to find a book called 'The Walker by the Lake' which may be pertinent to the case. Browne agrees but is frustrated by Bartlett's unwillingness to share details of the book such as its authorship.
Nathaniel Browne reveals the copy of 'Le Roi en Jeune' that he borrowed from Estus. The Yellow Sign on the cover seems to writhe and move upon the page, disturbing Withers and bringing back memories of bad dreams for Andrew Saunders. This dream was the mirror of Saunders' previous doppelganger dream. in this version Saunders was the armed version of himself, attempting to seize a crown from his unarmed self.
Browne reveals what he has discovered about 'Le Roi en Jeune' and its differences from Talbot Estus's play.
After Bartlett's wife calls everyone outside for the fireworks (during which Browne sees the Yellow Sign formed by one of them, but the others do not), Bartlett receives a frantic phone call from Nurse Price at the asylum, announcing the murder of Frederick Long.
On the way home, Saunders' cab is cut off by a black car and Saunders is threatened by the Tall Man, who warns Saunders to tell his friends to 'drop this matter'.
Continue to Session 3.
Audio Recording
Session 2 - Total Running Time : 2h 05m (30 Meg)
The Plot Thickens - Note: This recording has some quality issues.
