Without a Clue (check OOC for details)

[Demos Straxus]

It dark and stormy and stormy night. Atop a lone hill in the outskirts of Salem, Massachusetts a lone mansion sat. A Victorian era monstrosity, it housed some 30 rooms, most of which had been abandoned for almost a century. To call it's design intimidating was an understatement. The house as a whole seemed to stretch into the darkened skies like some ancient castle, forboding, and evil to look upon.

The Mansion had been abandoned for years, the locals prayingfervently that some land developer might take pity upon them and tear it down. Instead the mansion had been bought with cash, by a mysterious man out of Chicago, who called himself Mr Boddy.

Tonight Mr Boddy was throwing a party, though his guests had no idea what he had in mind for them.

*************************

Removing his overcoat, a thin man stepped onto the front porch, examining the archtitecture with an air of distaste. A man of exceptionaly good taste, Professor Phillip Plum felt the mansion an affront.

Why in god's name have I been called here?

Shaking his head, he tried the knocker, the sound of it barely audible over the heavy rain, and thunder.

"What murderous weather," he noted absently.

 

[molly_hunter28]

Vivian White

Upon receiving her invitation Vivian wondered what would be going on. She was not a woman to turn down a party. She was almost sure there would be people of influence at this one, it was after all at the old mansion. Perhaps it would be the owner introducing themselves. In any case Vivian would be there.

Having just divorced her husband, she was ready to be out. She had taken control of her ex's company and things were running smoothly once again. Vivians joy was endless it seemed. She busied herself with the task of finding something to wear. Her closet seemed a never ending supply of her signature color, white.

She found a delicious dress that hugged her every curve but wouldn't seem to risky at a party. Viv wasn't sure what to expect from the night. She dressed and left, heading directly to the mansion of Mr Boddy. The weather began to change, rain poured down over the road as she drove.

Lovely night this is turning out to be, she thought.

Vivian pulled up in front of the house, ran to the door, shaking off the few drops that hadn't missed her. She used the overly large knocker, wondering if her was trying to compensate for something. Viv looked around quickly while waiting for someone to get the door.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Catherine Scarlet with Ms. White.

Catherine sat up and swallowed the warm liquid that she’d coaxed from her lover’s sex. She licked her lips and then smiled into his warm brown eyes. “Looks like we’re here,” she said as she took in the mammoth home that the limo was pulling up too.

“Yeah, I said that earlier, but you must not have been listening,” her lawyer told her, running his fingers over her moist lips. “Do want you do best,” he said and pulled head back to his where they shared a deep kiss.

Catherine moaned and then slipped out of his embrace. “Don’t I always do my best,” she said. The car rolled to a stop and Catherine watched the driver slip out of his seat and make his way around to her side of the car. “Be good,” she told her lover and winked. She stepped out into the cool night air and was only briefly disturbed by the rain. She took the umbrella and lifted the skirting of her dress so the red silk was not dragged in the collecting puddles of rain.

She made her way up the stairs and turned back to wave to the car and its occupants. When the lights faded she returned her attention to the door and noticed a woman dressed in white waiting to be let in. She took a place beside her. “And you are?” she asked, her eyes taking in the woman before her, trying to guage her worth.

 

[molly_hunter28]

Vivian watched the woman in red leave her car and make her way through the maze of puddles. Mrs White stood back, leaning against a pillar while she waited. The woman in red moved to stand next to her. She heard her voice ask who she was.

"I would be Mrs Vivian White and you are?"

Vivian was curious about this guest. That wasn't unusual, she wondered the entire drive what the others here tonight would be like. Who they were, what they did, all that various stuff one wonders about people they have yet to meet.

 

[Demos Straxus]

Prof. Plum glanced at the two, seeming only mildy interested, inspite of their knock out looks, and instead focussed his efforts on the door, knocking hard once more.

The damn thing must not be working properly...

Turning to the pair, he offered a slight nod, resignedly accepting their presence.

"Good evening. I am Professer Plum. I assume you were both invited to the same party as I?"

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Catherine lifted her gaze to the man that had almost blended in with the door. “That color doesn’t suit you,” she said, running her gaze down his form, “but you were it well.” Catherine allowed her eyes to hover over certain parts of the gentleman before her eyes moved back up. She smirked and whispered a quiet hello.

Her attention went back to the woman and she pulled a cigarette out of her purse and attached it to one of her red 11 ½ holders. She then pulled out a lighter and lit the end, drew deep the nicotine, held it and then released, being sure that the smoke floated away from the two individuals.

“My name is Scarlet.”

She took another draw and then turned into the breeze. “Lovely weather we’re having,” she said to no one in particular. She tapped the holder and rolled her shoulders. “So does anyone know what this man wants with us? And perhaps we should find him the name of a new agency, because whoever he hired to open the damn door is on break.”

 

[Demos Straxus]

Plum noted the look she gave him, and the casual double entendre of her words, and could not help but laugh, a hollow sound coming from his thin frame.

When she introduced himself he felt himself drawn backward in time to his his Mother a affirmed methodist, talking about some of the local women at his home town's bar, and the phrase she had used to describe them, and their slutty manner of dress.

Scarlet women...

"How...appropiate. A pleasure Miss Scarlet."

His glanced at her ample cleavage, shown to all by the low cut of her dress.

"You seem possessed of exceptional attributes yourself."

His gaze flickered to Mrs White, and her similarly promiscuis attire.

"I seem to have come a tad overdressed. My invitation stated simply to be here."

He pulled a small pocketwatch from his vest pocket, checking it.

"Another 5 minutes until my arrival time though. I did not expect to make such good time.......even with my current conveyence."

He gestured casualy to the purple jaguar parked to the left of the entrance, its chrome fittings gleaming and new, its paint immaculate and mirror like, even under the darkened skies, and ungodly conditions.The car could not have been more than a week old.

 

[Calyxxx]

Lucy the maid & Mrs. Peacock

OOC: Sorry for my delay.. bah

------

Lucy heard the doorbell ringing, resounding off the dark walls of the mansion. So quiet, but then again, she was standing in the kitchen, leaned against the counter with a phone pressed tightly to her ear. She rolled her brown eyes and said goodbye to her friend before hanging the phone back up on the wall.

Smoothing out the skirt of her uniform, she strolled through the hallways until she found the large front door. Bracing herself, she pulled against the handle and creaked the door open.

"Welcome, guests of Mr. Boddy." She recited to the faces in front of her, "Mr. Boddy will be with you shortly. Please come in and make yourselves comfortable." She stretched a smile across her face and ushered them inside.

-------

Allie Peacock was late, at least, she felt as if she were late. Or maybe she was just anxious. Or feeling slightly guilty for lying to her husband.... After receiving an invitation for a party at this strange place, she jumped at the chance to interrupt the monotony of her life. Pulling up to the cold looking mansion, she noted that this was definitely out of the ordinary for her and who knew, may just end up being fun.

The fact that her husband thought she would be staying at her mother's place for the weekend was not her original intension. It just sort of came out that way. She hadn't had a break from her home life since before she was married anyhow, and she repeated this fact to herself the entire way in the taxi cab.

And so, after freezing 3 days worth of meals for her husband, and sticking little notes on how to defrost and heat them onto each one, she picked up her bag, called the taxi service, and left. She was proud of her spontaneity and her stomach leapt inside her in a mix of anxiety and excitement as she stepped from the car, holding her blue coat tightly around herself. She squinted and saw what looked like other invited people entering the mansion and hurried as fast as her blue high-heels would let her to join them.

 

[Demos Straxus]

(OOC: Better late than never as they say. Good to have you aboard)

Prof. Plum gave the maid little more than a glance as he strode through the doors, casualy tossing her his heavy overcoat. For him staff were little more than possessions. He had several back at his residence in Salem, and he rarely gave them any more thought than he did the numerous misstresses he kept. A man could not be bogged down with paltry details.

Stepping into a fine sitting room, he moved to an easy chair by the fire, relaxing into it as if he had been borne in that state. He noted a drink tray by his side, and poured himself a measure of scotch, noting as he imbided a small quanity that it was of excelent vintage. If nothing else their host was a man of good taste.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Scarlet barely spared the maid a second glance as she walked into the mansion, behind the Professor. Her eyes were still gleaming with excitement at the thought of his new shiny toy in the drive. The color was appalling, but then again weren’t all colors pale compared to her favorite? She tapped the ashes of her cigarette into a passing vase and snickered.

The heels of her stilettos sounded on the floor and when she claimed a seat on a long chaise lounge. Her long legs slid comfortable on the bench and her red lips circled the cigarette holder. She dragged in more of the hearty nicotine, released the smoke and then waited to see what would transpire.

Her gaze took in the expensive and obviously antique furnishings as well as the old books that lined the walls. Her hand loosely held her cigarette as the other slowly slipped along the polished wood of her chair. Licking her lips she allowed her eyes to drink in the taste of her host. The sound of another drew her attention and she turned to see a woman, who looked a bit frazzled with her blue coat wrapped tight around her.

“It seems our host has acquired more help for the evening. Perhaps you should have used the service entrance my dear,” she said and took another puff from her cigarette.

 

[poohlive]

His yellow tattered trenchcoat had been soaked through. He shrugged his shoulders and took off the coat to shake the rest of the water off of him. When he put it back on, it almost looked good again, framing his body nicely. The reason he kept wearing it, despite the fact that he should have gotten a new one a few years ago.

He smiled at those already inside, warming themselves by the fire, or by the bar. He would take one of each, pouring a very generous glass of port and then sitting in the red velvet chair by the fire.

He knew no one here, but that was to be expected. Honestly he didn't think he would know anyone... maybe a familiar face here and...

But then, there was Miss Scarlet. A small smile escaped his lips at the sight of her. It was good to see her again, although he did not acknowledge it. Better not to, better make them think they were all strangers.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Miss Scarlet

Scarlet’s gaze darted to the man who’d just stepped into the room. One side of her lips lifted in a small smirk as well as a hint of an eyebrow lifting just slightly. She licked her lips and brought her cigarette up, took the final draw and then rested the holder on the tray next to her. Her fingers then slipped to rest on her trim waist and she watched with hooded lids as the Colonel staked out the room and its newcomers.

“What are you doing here?” she thought to herself as she remembered one of the many nights in Paris she’d enjoyed in his company. “And why did you not tell me?” The question played in her mind as she rose and approached the small mini-bar. She refilled her glass before casually making her way to the window, where the thick drapes were pulled back and the rain splashed against the thick, clear pane.

The reflection of the others were clear to her and she saw where each guest sat or conversed with another. Eventually her gaze shifted to the Colonel, before moving on to the Professor. “So many tasty delights to tempt ones palette,” she whispered.

 

[molly_hunter28]

V. White

Mrs. White paid very little attention to the maid, just grateful the door had finally opened. The weather was going to ruin her dress. Typical woman concerned about her attire and looks, she didn't know whom would be here and wanted to look her best.

Vivian followed the others into the room where they awaited their host. She wondered why she was here, as many of the others did. The invitation gave no reason for the party. She hoped to find out soon.

Needing a drink Mrs. White walked over by Prof. Plum, as that is where the drink tray was. She looked at him, smiled then asked, "Would you mind terribly pouring me one of those?"

 

[Demos Straxus]

The Prof. smiled mildy, and then reached out, delicatly withdrawing a glass, dropping three cubes of ice into it from the bucket, and then pouring the scoth from a crystal decanter into it. His every movement was precise, and methodical, as if the scientist within him demanded he yield to that nature in all matter.

When it was finished, Phillip handed her the glass, now partialy filled with the amber liquid.

"Enjoy," he stated, a slight smirk crossing his features.

 

[molly_hunter28]

V White

White took her drink and smiled before giving her thanks. She noticed the man wearing purple. Not many could pull it off but he did extremely well. She swirled her drink in her glass before taking her first sip.

"Thank you Professor. Our host does have spectacular taste I must admit. Although I'm not even sure I know too much about our host."

White offered but didn't say too much more. She glanced around the room, looking at everyone that was there. The woman in red, an older man that wore an interesting yellow, and she spotted a woman wearing a bit of blue. Funny how people tended to wear certain colors she thought with a smile.

 

[schmoe_128]

Mr Green

John Greene got out of the taxi in front of the monstrous mansion and looked up at it throught the rain. He noticed some people waiting by the front door and hurried through the rain He reached the door just as the maid was letting everyone in.

As they entered the mansion, he looked over the other people. "Mr John Greene" he said as he held his hand out to the gentleman guest. The gentleman ntroduced himself as Professor Phillip Plum. John introduced himself to the others. Ms. Allie Peackock, Mrs. Vivian White, Miss Catherine Scarlett, and a Colnel Mustard.

"So, does anyone know why we're here?" he asked.

 

[Demos Straxus]

Mr Boddy

"Well I do, but I imagine a host is supposed to know these things."

The voice that speaks comes from a man who has just entered the living room. His movements at the door are casual, as he walks inside, giving the group a cold look and a dead smile, like an accountant assessing their worth. He is attired all in black, from the glossy italian shoes, to the expensive silk blazer he wears. The only dash of color is his tie, which is a deep blood red, quite apart from Scarlet's cheery coloring.

As he gazes at the group he speaks once more, his inflections crisp, and precise.

"You are all here because I own you, and it pleases me to call in this debt now. Each of you, in your own foolish, pathetic ways has run afowel of this society you so love, and in doing so has created a secret. A secret I, and I alone own. Delightful isn't it? I can see each of your minds working on the issue. Thinking of your own dark truth, and considering if I Realy know it. Well, lets find out."

Snapping a finger, he calls Lucy to him, she is now holding a platter with with 6 black envelopes on it. Each is marked with blood red ink, stating the name of a particular guest.

"Come and take a look, why don't you?"

 

[poohlive]

Colonel Mustard pulled out his hand and took the envelope. He didn't need a piece of paper with his name on it to know the host here had information. Still, he opened it, and saw what he knew he was going to see.

An order, from back in Iraq, his men slaughtered because he had given them the wrong orders. And one of his friends from higher up fudged a few numbers to make sure that it was a clerical error, and not his own. He would have been ruined.

The paper was right here, an email from his friend, General Constant, expressing his wishes of how well it had gone, no one suspected a thing. How easy was that to get, Mustard wondered.

"I don't know yet," Mustard said, as soon as he glanced over the letter once more, "Bringing all of these people here at once and telling them you know such secrets. It is either a very smart, or very stupid thing to do..."

 

[schmoe_128]

Mr Green

John stepped forward and took the envelope with his name on it and slowly opened it. There was only one thing in his past that someone could use as blackmail onhim and he had no idea how that information could have gotten out.

He opened the envelope and his jaw fell open as he looked at the information inside. The sheets perfectly documented the emezelment he had done at work over the past several years. The amount nearing a million dollars. He had been able to hide it from the best auditors and his employers, how did this guy find it?

"I agree with the good Colonel here, this is very risky move on your part Mr Boddy." he said with some anger apparent in his voice.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

Scarlet turned from the window and took a long look at Mister Boddy. His words brought a shudder to her heart, but her face remained passive and completely unchanged. She had many secrets, they ranged from the sudden deaths of her lovers, to the fact that she came from the hills of Tennessee and had no real education. Her first lover had arranged for her to become the educated woman she was today, but she still knew her heritage would bring scandal to her name.

Stepping away from the rain splattered glass she reached out and took the envelope with her name. Her hand was steady and her nails, painted a bright glossy red, sparkled in the light.

“I have always desired to be owned,” she said and opened her envelope. She scanned the letter and felt the tug of betrayal in her heart as the words of all her deeds lay in black and white on a sheet of crisp expensive paper. The words confessing her involvement in the deaths of her lovers as well as the illegal alterations of their Wills were written out in detail and signed by her ‘trusted’ lawyer.

“Mister Boddy,” she said, stepping over to the fireplace and dropping her letter into the licking flames, “It seems you place yourself above those that I have. . .mourned. How very unwise of you.”

She pulled another cigarette from her purse, set it in her red holder and then placed it between her scarlet lips. Her stocking clad legs and red stilettos made their way to Mustard’s side and she waited for him to light the tip.

 

[molly_hunter28]

V White

Taking her envelope she opened it away from the eyes of others. Her mind reading the words, then rereading to make sure of what she was seeing. How dare this guy think he knew what had happened. Sure there were things listed that were true, but how did he know.

"Mister Boddy I agree with the others. This is a very bad idea on your part. Not too well thought out I do believe."

Vivian moved back in with the group surrounding the man. He wanted something from them. Each of them she was sure had a secret as bad as her own. Should it ever be found out her money, the business would be gone. Mrs White needed him to keep quiet about her affairs. If they were made known she would lose everything.

"I would suggest Mister Boddy you rethink the reason for bringing us all here. I'm sure it would be best for all parties concerned."

 

[poohlive]

"Do not forget though," He said, striking a match and watching as the fire burned for just a moment in Scarlet's eyes as he lit her cigarette. He blew it out, placing it in the fire before taking out his pipe and stuffing it with some tobacco.

"I said it was either very stupid... or very smart. You see, there is a good thing bringing us all together here at once. No one has an alibi. We are all here together. If anything happens to Mr. Boddy, everyone here will be questioned, and the nature of why we are here will be brought up... which means we'd need to share our little secrets with the local police."

He turned to Mrs. White, giving a small smile, "If I didn't know any better, I would say we are the ones in trouble, my dear lady... not our gracious host."

 

[Demos Straxus]

Prof. Plum/ Mr Boddy


Prof. Plum

the Lean collegiate took his own paper, reading carefully over the contents therein. Inclosed were the details of his psychological studies on female sexuality, and the patiences whom he had hypnotised and then had sex with. On the nearly three million dollars in grants he had squandered on improving his previously impovrished conditions. Even detailing his seduction of a department head, and subsequent stealing of her work. Of her suicide a month later, and note she had left, blaming him. This was damning indeed. He turned to face Mr Boddy, considering him for a moment. Considering his posture, and mannerisms, and slowly nodding his head. The others thought him a fool, but Plum sespected there was more here than there at first seemed.

"I think....we may assume that Mr Boddy is after more than our money, and that his drawing together of us all here serves that purpose."

_______________________________________________________

Mr Boddy

The blackmailer took in Plum's comment with a chuckle.

"How astute of you Professor. Yes, I'm not after just your money. As I previously stated I own you. You see, I have over the years amassed a large fortune at my dark trade, and learned a great deal about the nature of man in the process. I know without question, that every person in this room would happily kill me to keep their particular secret quiet, and that more than a few of you are capable of such an act. Charming though it might be you won't do that. You know as well as I that your secret would then be exposed. I can guarantee it. You see, a safety deposit box sits in a bank in Zurich, and my will specifies that it shall be opened upon my death. Contained within are six envelopes exactly as the ones you see before you. I alone know that number for the box, and I alone can access them before that time. Now, as you why you were called together.....well thats my own little secret for now. Now please enjoy some drinks. Dinner shall be served in half an hour."

Turning, the blackmailer stepped out of the room, the door locking behind him.

 

[RedHairedandFriendly]

She heard the click of the lock and stared at the now closed door. Her fingers tightened ever so slightly on her cigarette holder as she turned back to the window. Her composure was faltering; she knew it and she suspected all those around her felt the same way she did, but they were doing their best to hide it.

Tapping her ashes on the floor of the room, no longer concerned with Mister Boddy and his expensive taste Scarlet quietly studied the rain as it spilled down the pane of glass. In time she walked over to the bar and pulled the stopper off the crystal decanter of scotch. She smirked as she looked at her wine glass, now drained of its ruby red contents. The splash of alcohol was a sound she loved to hear and as it filled the fluted stem ware she felt some of her tension leave her.

Scarlet battled with many demons, one being the fact that her true lover, the only one still living, had deceived her. Inwardly her heart was breaking, outwardly she looked like a woman contemplating another dastardly deed. Downing a hefty swallow of the clear liquid brought a slight smile to her cheeks and continued to warm her skin. She knew this would be the end of her drinks for the night, any more would do her in.

She walked back over to the lounge where she’d been sitting before Hell came down on them in the form of a man with a wicked smile. As she sat, drawing on the stem of her holder, her gaze locked on the flickering fireplace. “Mister Boddy seems to believe he holds all the cards,” she said in a voice laced with sarcasm.

 

[molly_hunter28]

White

Mrs White listened, taking in what the men were saying. This Mister Boddy could destroy everything for her and the others. He was right, we all had a motive to kill him. Then he mentioned the saftey deposit box, damn. He needed to be there.

Somehow there needed to be a way out of this. Vivian walked toward the fireplace, gazing into the fire. She was trying to come up with something. He mind have tons of ideas. The first one was to kill him.

Mrs White didn't believe she had it in her. Never killing anyone, but this secret could destroy her. Everything would be taken away. She had spent years with her ex, plotting, manuvering him right where she wanted him. Then she conviently caught him with someone else. Vivians plan had been perfect.

Gazing into the fire she let a small smile curve on her lips, "Boddy doesn't know what he's in for." Turning away from the fire she looked at the others, trying to just them, what they were thinking.