Post by steveb6 on Feb 4, 2023 21:53:52 GMT
We left our hapless PI (Arthur “Chip” McCormack) battered and bruised after receiving a visit from two of Benito Gambino’s enforcers……..
Bella bound Artie’s cracked ribs as tightly as She could, helped clean his cuts and soothed his bruises.,,,” Watcha gonna do Now Artie?” She asked, “Without those photos of Gambino as evidence He’s sure to walk..”
“I know, I know, sugarlips, but those pictures will have already gone up in smoke, Gambino’s not stupid, he knows they are the key to sending him down. Time to get to work.”
I rolled for a ‘Find’ encounter next so Artie had three days to find at least six ‘clues’ (you have 3 leads per day) in order to find more evidence that Benito Gambino was behind the theft of Dazzler the racehorse.
Day 1 Lead 1
I rolled to find 3x Criminals, 2 Rep 5s and 1 Rep 4, all armed with pistols.
Artie decided that his best bet was to pay a visit to Hans Alberg a speakeasy owner and rival of Benito Gambino.
Arriving at ‘The Pink Lady’ Artie was greeted at the door by Al a giant of a man who was Hans’s bodyguard, closely followed by one of the Club’s bouncers.
“Gee you look terrible Artie.” Al said with a smile on his lips, “Ran into a door did’ya.”
“Very funny Al, is Mr. Alberg in? Two of Gambino’s heavies did this, I thought he might like to help me even the score.”
Al disappeared inside, the bouncer moved to block the doorway. “Relax, me and Mr Alberg go way back”
After a few moments Al reappeared, “Mr. Alberg says Ok”
I rolled on The Talk The Talk table and scored a result of ‘I can Help- NPC Gives you a Clue’
“Artie my dear boy, take a seat, Al get Mr. McCormack a drink, now how can I help you?”
After listening to Artie’s story Hans suggested that he go talk to Gambino’s Accountant, maybe he could provide some evidence via a money trail that would help convict Gambino.
I rolled to find 1 Shaker, a REP4
Day 1 Lead 2
Artie hailed a cab, “I need to get to James Whitley’s office 442 West Highland, know it?”
“Sure thing Mack, should take no more than 10 minutes.” Artie settled back in the cab wincing as his ribs gave him a sharp reminder of how stupid he’d been.
Whitley’s office was in a tatty rundown block, business obviously wasn’t that good. A small financial inducement might do the trick Artie thought to himself as he climbed the dimly lit stairs and knocked on the office door.
Another successful roll on The Talk The Talk table and Artie got his second clue.
Whitley was a pushover, he’d folded like a cheap pack of cards. He was small-fry, didn’t know any details, but Gambino had been involved with some shady dealings with Ina Ray Hutton. “The Ina Ray Hutton?” Artie had said raising his eyebrows.
“Yes, The Ina Ray Hutton, the singer, She’s set to appear at The Starlight Club this evening. You should be able to catch her after her set.”
I rolled to find 2x Movers, a REP 4 and a Rep 3.
Artie went back to his apartment and got some sleep, at least he tried, his ribs were really sore now, but eventually he fell into a fitful sleep.
Day 1 Lead 3
The Starlight Club was busy, Artie checked his hat and coat and could hear that the place was jumping even before he went through the heavy velvet curtain which lead to the dancefloor and main area of the club.
He was shown to a small table which was, at his insistence, against the wall. Artie ordered a whiskey and settled down, taking stock of the club’s clientele, scanning the faces at the bar and tables.
He’d deliberately timed his arrival toward the end of Ina Ray’s set, he wasn’t in the mood for song and dance, however good the cabaret was. And good it was, the band were on top form and Ina Ray Hutton was easy on the eye and had a voice like a songbird. After two songs she had the entire joint eating out of her hand, especially the male patrons and it was no surprise that her performance ended in a shower of flowers and bouquets thrown onto the stage and dancefloor.
Artie slipped behind the backstage curtain and waited in a narrow corridor at the rear of the stage. Soon he could hear two dames laughing excitedly coming toward him. Miss Hutton, buried under a mountain of bouquets followed by another bookish looking broad giggling and stooping to pick up dropped flowers as they went.
“No autographs, no pictures” She shrilled as they bowled past Artie, “if you want an interview see Archie my Manager”…the dressing room door slammed shut and with that she was gone.
I rolled a ‘Will ignore you and walk away’ result on The Talk The Talk table.
I rolled a Find x2 Movers, 1 Rep 5 and 1 Rep 4
Artie had tried to find Miss Hutton’s Manager, Arch Stanton, but he had already left The Starlight Club, his assistant Sally had said that he could come back in the morning “right about 10” and she was sure that Mr. Stanton would see him.
Day 2 Lead 1
Sure enough, Sally was as good as her word and she ushered Artie into Arch Stanton’s office, asked him to take a seat adding ”Mr. Stanton will be with you in a minute”
Arch Stanton was a nervous Man and Artie knew exactly which buttons to push and had him singing like a canary. Although he was sure Ina wasn’t involved, he had heard that a Theatre Manager, Lawrence Benning had been talking about a caper that would settle all of his track debts, and he was into some nasty people for some serious dough, so it had to be a big deal.
I rolled another success on The Talk The Talk table and Artie gained his third clue.
Day 2 Lead 2
I rolled to find 1 x Exotic.
Early next morning Artie took a cab to The Paradise Theatre and manged to get to see Benning, but he was as tight as a clam, he wasn’t spilling any beans. Nada.
I rolled an ‘I got Nothing. NPC can’t help on The Talk The Talk Table.
Day 2 Lead 3
I rolled to find 1x Civilian
Artie left Benning’s office and reached into his jacket pocket but came out empty “Dam but I need a smoke” he said out loud.
“I gotcha covered Mister” Artie wheeled round and one of the Theatre’s cigarette girls was standing behind him looking cuter than a button.
“Thanks Doll, you sure are a sight for sore eyes. What’s your name Honey? I bet you know everything that goes on around this place huh?”
Five minutes, two packets of cigarettes, and a generous tip later Artie had himself another clue and a date next Friday. “God loves a trier” he said out loud to himself as he walked out of the theatre and hailed a cab.
I rolled another success on The Talk The Talk table and Artie had clue No. 4
Day 3 Lead 1
Sally had said that one of the costume girls, Gloria Hunsley, had been “having a thing” with Benning and went everywhere with him lately, perhaps she could help Artie out?
I rolled find a Civilian Rep 4
Artie caught up with Gloria the next morning as she was taking a smoke break outside the stage door. “I’m not telling you anything about Lawrence’s business Mr. Get lost before I call the cops.”
I was on Day 3 and needed to find 2 more clues so I gave the ‘intimidate’ game mechanism a whirl.
Artie grabbed Gloria tightly by both wrists “Listen Honey, you ain’t calling no one. Benning is mixed up in some serious business, if you don’t want to end up in trouble with the The Law you’d better start being a little more helpful”
“Ow! Ok, Ok, let go of me, I’ll tell you all I know ya big Ox”
I passed more dice than Gloria and so Artie got his fifth clue.
Day 3 Lead 2
I rolled to find a Shaker.
Artie’s next call was to Lou Tennant who was The Manager of Gambino’s speakeasy. This was going to be difficult, Artie was going to have to slip in the back of the joint whilst it was closed and hope Lou was in his office. More importantly that Gambino or any of his goons weren’t about, otherwise he’d be being fitted for a cement overcoat.
As luck would have it Tennant came out of the speakeasy just as Artie’s cab pulled up. Artie tailed him from the other side of the street and followed as Tennant went into a local coffee joint.
“McCormack you’ve got a hellava nerve showing your face about these parts, Bruno should’ve finished you off when he had the chance. You’ll get nothing from me, get the Hell outta here whilst you can still walk.”
I rolled an ‘I Got Nothing. NPC can’t help’ result on The Talk The Talk table.
Artie knew time was running out, he had to get results. Whilst Tennant was drinking coffee Artie would break into his office at the speakeasy and search the place.
I decided that a spot of Breaking & Entering was called for as time was running out and Artie needed that elusive last clue.
Artie forced the shiv into the cheap lock, and bingo! The rear door of the club was open and he was inside quick as a flash. Tennant’s office was on the upper floor and the door wasn’t locked.
Moving quickly Artie started to search the desk drawers, nothing useful here so he turned his attention to a filing cabinet in the corner.
“What the Hell! I warned you”
Artie spun around as Tennant launched himself across the office fists flying.
I rolled a result of ‘Pass Less = You’re busted. NPCs will go to the Walk The Walk Table. A further roll resulted in ‘Whether armed with ranged weapon or not: Melee – Go To The Melee Table.
Artie took a blow to the stomach, replied with an uppercut, Tennant jabbed and Artie finished it with a haymaker.
Artie had to leave, and fast!
After two rounds of melee I managed to get an Out Of Fight on the NPC.
Day 3 Lead 3
I rolled to find 2x Civilians a Rep 5 and a Rep 4.
Artie came down the stairs from Tennant’s office but took a wrong turn and ended up in the bar area. A very surprised barman and a waiter looked up from the cards they were playing.
“Hey fellas, how’s it going? Can I buy you a drink?”
The barman stood up “Your money’s no good here McCormack I suggest you get out.” And with that he walked behind the bar and disappeared through a door to the back.
I rolled on The Talk The Talk table and got a ‘I Got Nothing: NPC can’t help’ result against the REP 5 (Leader). So I tried the ‘Cutting Out FromThe Herd’ mechanic, allowing me to talk to the Rep 4 Waiter.
“Look, it’s been a Hellava day, you look like a good, decent fella, can you give a stiff a break?”
“Ok, but you owe me one McCormack, I can tell you what you want, but you gotta do me a favour OK?
“Deal, now spill the beans”
I rolled an ‘I can Help! NPC gives you a clue’ result on The Talk The Talk table. So Artie gained his sixth and final clue at the last possible moment. Success! (BUT it was a close run thing!)
Artie left with all the evidence he needed to ensure Gambino would be sent down, better yet, he could reply on protection from Hans Alberg, just in case any of Gambino’s men had any ideas about settling a score.
……..to be continued…….
Bella bound Artie’s cracked ribs as tightly as She could, helped clean his cuts and soothed his bruises.,,,” Watcha gonna do Now Artie?” She asked, “Without those photos of Gambino as evidence He’s sure to walk..”
“I know, I know, sugarlips, but those pictures will have already gone up in smoke, Gambino’s not stupid, he knows they are the key to sending him down. Time to get to work.”
I rolled for a ‘Find’ encounter next so Artie had three days to find at least six ‘clues’ (you have 3 leads per day) in order to find more evidence that Benito Gambino was behind the theft of Dazzler the racehorse.
Day 1 Lead 1
I rolled to find 3x Criminals, 2 Rep 5s and 1 Rep 4, all armed with pistols.
Artie decided that his best bet was to pay a visit to Hans Alberg a speakeasy owner and rival of Benito Gambino.
Arriving at ‘The Pink Lady’ Artie was greeted at the door by Al a giant of a man who was Hans’s bodyguard, closely followed by one of the Club’s bouncers.
“Gee you look terrible Artie.” Al said with a smile on his lips, “Ran into a door did’ya.”
“Very funny Al, is Mr. Alberg in? Two of Gambino’s heavies did this, I thought he might like to help me even the score.”
Al disappeared inside, the bouncer moved to block the doorway. “Relax, me and Mr Alberg go way back”
After a few moments Al reappeared, “Mr. Alberg says Ok”
I rolled on The Talk The Talk table and scored a result of ‘I can Help- NPC Gives you a Clue’
“Artie my dear boy, take a seat, Al get Mr. McCormack a drink, now how can I help you?”
After listening to Artie’s story Hans suggested that he go talk to Gambino’s Accountant, maybe he could provide some evidence via a money trail that would help convict Gambino.
I rolled to find 1 Shaker, a REP4
Day 1 Lead 2
Artie hailed a cab, “I need to get to James Whitley’s office 442 West Highland, know it?”
“Sure thing Mack, should take no more than 10 minutes.” Artie settled back in the cab wincing as his ribs gave him a sharp reminder of how stupid he’d been.
Whitley’s office was in a tatty rundown block, business obviously wasn’t that good. A small financial inducement might do the trick Artie thought to himself as he climbed the dimly lit stairs and knocked on the office door.
Another successful roll on The Talk The Talk table and Artie got his second clue.
Whitley was a pushover, he’d folded like a cheap pack of cards. He was small-fry, didn’t know any details, but Gambino had been involved with some shady dealings with Ina Ray Hutton. “The Ina Ray Hutton?” Artie had said raising his eyebrows.
“Yes, The Ina Ray Hutton, the singer, She’s set to appear at The Starlight Club this evening. You should be able to catch her after her set.”
I rolled to find 2x Movers, a REP 4 and a Rep 3.
Artie went back to his apartment and got some sleep, at least he tried, his ribs were really sore now, but eventually he fell into a fitful sleep.
Day 1 Lead 3
The Starlight Club was busy, Artie checked his hat and coat and could hear that the place was jumping even before he went through the heavy velvet curtain which lead to the dancefloor and main area of the club.
He was shown to a small table which was, at his insistence, against the wall. Artie ordered a whiskey and settled down, taking stock of the club’s clientele, scanning the faces at the bar and tables.
He’d deliberately timed his arrival toward the end of Ina Ray’s set, he wasn’t in the mood for song and dance, however good the cabaret was. And good it was, the band were on top form and Ina Ray Hutton was easy on the eye and had a voice like a songbird. After two songs she had the entire joint eating out of her hand, especially the male patrons and it was no surprise that her performance ended in a shower of flowers and bouquets thrown onto the stage and dancefloor.
Artie slipped behind the backstage curtain and waited in a narrow corridor at the rear of the stage. Soon he could hear two dames laughing excitedly coming toward him. Miss Hutton, buried under a mountain of bouquets followed by another bookish looking broad giggling and stooping to pick up dropped flowers as they went.
“No autographs, no pictures” She shrilled as they bowled past Artie, “if you want an interview see Archie my Manager”…the dressing room door slammed shut and with that she was gone.
I rolled a ‘Will ignore you and walk away’ result on The Talk The Talk table.
I rolled a Find x2 Movers, 1 Rep 5 and 1 Rep 4
Artie had tried to find Miss Hutton’s Manager, Arch Stanton, but he had already left The Starlight Club, his assistant Sally had said that he could come back in the morning “right about 10” and she was sure that Mr. Stanton would see him.
Day 2 Lead 1
Sure enough, Sally was as good as her word and she ushered Artie into Arch Stanton’s office, asked him to take a seat adding ”Mr. Stanton will be with you in a minute”
Arch Stanton was a nervous Man and Artie knew exactly which buttons to push and had him singing like a canary. Although he was sure Ina wasn’t involved, he had heard that a Theatre Manager, Lawrence Benning had been talking about a caper that would settle all of his track debts, and he was into some nasty people for some serious dough, so it had to be a big deal.
I rolled another success on The Talk The Talk table and Artie gained his third clue.
Day 2 Lead 2
I rolled to find 1 x Exotic.
Early next morning Artie took a cab to The Paradise Theatre and manged to get to see Benning, but he was as tight as a clam, he wasn’t spilling any beans. Nada.
I rolled an ‘I got Nothing. NPC can’t help on The Talk The Talk Table.
Day 2 Lead 3
I rolled to find 1x Civilian
Artie left Benning’s office and reached into his jacket pocket but came out empty “Dam but I need a smoke” he said out loud.
“I gotcha covered Mister” Artie wheeled round and one of the Theatre’s cigarette girls was standing behind him looking cuter than a button.
“Thanks Doll, you sure are a sight for sore eyes. What’s your name Honey? I bet you know everything that goes on around this place huh?”
Five minutes, two packets of cigarettes, and a generous tip later Artie had himself another clue and a date next Friday. “God loves a trier” he said out loud to himself as he walked out of the theatre and hailed a cab.
I rolled another success on The Talk The Talk table and Artie had clue No. 4
Day 3 Lead 1
Sally had said that one of the costume girls, Gloria Hunsley, had been “having a thing” with Benning and went everywhere with him lately, perhaps she could help Artie out?
I rolled find a Civilian Rep 4
Artie caught up with Gloria the next morning as she was taking a smoke break outside the stage door. “I’m not telling you anything about Lawrence’s business Mr. Get lost before I call the cops.”
I was on Day 3 and needed to find 2 more clues so I gave the ‘intimidate’ game mechanism a whirl.
Artie grabbed Gloria tightly by both wrists “Listen Honey, you ain’t calling no one. Benning is mixed up in some serious business, if you don’t want to end up in trouble with the The Law you’d better start being a little more helpful”
“Ow! Ok, Ok, let go of me, I’ll tell you all I know ya big Ox”
I passed more dice than Gloria and so Artie got his fifth clue.
Day 3 Lead 2
I rolled to find a Shaker.
Artie’s next call was to Lou Tennant who was The Manager of Gambino’s speakeasy. This was going to be difficult, Artie was going to have to slip in the back of the joint whilst it was closed and hope Lou was in his office. More importantly that Gambino or any of his goons weren’t about, otherwise he’d be being fitted for a cement overcoat.
As luck would have it Tennant came out of the speakeasy just as Artie’s cab pulled up. Artie tailed him from the other side of the street and followed as Tennant went into a local coffee joint.
“McCormack you’ve got a hellava nerve showing your face about these parts, Bruno should’ve finished you off when he had the chance. You’ll get nothing from me, get the Hell outta here whilst you can still walk.”
I rolled an ‘I Got Nothing. NPC can’t help’ result on The Talk The Talk table.
Artie knew time was running out, he had to get results. Whilst Tennant was drinking coffee Artie would break into his office at the speakeasy and search the place.
I decided that a spot of Breaking & Entering was called for as time was running out and Artie needed that elusive last clue.
Artie forced the shiv into the cheap lock, and bingo! The rear door of the club was open and he was inside quick as a flash. Tennant’s office was on the upper floor and the door wasn’t locked.
Moving quickly Artie started to search the desk drawers, nothing useful here so he turned his attention to a filing cabinet in the corner.
“What the Hell! I warned you”
Artie spun around as Tennant launched himself across the office fists flying.
I rolled a result of ‘Pass Less = You’re busted. NPCs will go to the Walk The Walk Table. A further roll resulted in ‘Whether armed with ranged weapon or not: Melee – Go To The Melee Table.
Artie took a blow to the stomach, replied with an uppercut, Tennant jabbed and Artie finished it with a haymaker.
Artie had to leave, and fast!
After two rounds of melee I managed to get an Out Of Fight on the NPC.
Day 3 Lead 3
I rolled to find 2x Civilians a Rep 5 and a Rep 4.
Artie came down the stairs from Tennant’s office but took a wrong turn and ended up in the bar area. A very surprised barman and a waiter looked up from the cards they were playing.
“Hey fellas, how’s it going? Can I buy you a drink?”
The barman stood up “Your money’s no good here McCormack I suggest you get out.” And with that he walked behind the bar and disappeared through a door to the back.
I rolled on The Talk The Talk table and got a ‘I Got Nothing: NPC can’t help’ result against the REP 5 (Leader). So I tried the ‘Cutting Out FromThe Herd’ mechanic, allowing me to talk to the Rep 4 Waiter.
“Look, it’s been a Hellava day, you look like a good, decent fella, can you give a stiff a break?”
“Ok, but you owe me one McCormack, I can tell you what you want, but you gotta do me a favour OK?
“Deal, now spill the beans”
I rolled an ‘I can Help! NPC gives you a clue’ result on The Talk The Talk table. So Artie gained his sixth and final clue at the last possible moment. Success! (BUT it was a close run thing!)
Artie left with all the evidence he needed to ensure Gambino would be sent down, better yet, he could reply on protection from Hans Alberg, just in case any of Gambino’s men had any ideas about settling a score.
……..to be continued…….
