dragged into the office today, which means I don’t have the scenario on hand - normal service will be resumed when possible
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“Thank you Mr Wellerby.”
Stella then lowers her voice in a faux conspiratorial fashion, “You know, I’m not sure if I’ll be able to see the papers while I’m here… I may be relying on you to keep me informed of what’s going on in the outside world; I know a fellow newshound when I see one.”
(Happy to go to the East Wing when everyone’s ready)
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“Quite fine thank you.” he says rather too quickly, “here for the insomnia study, will the good doctor be joining us soon?”
@RogerBW @Suz
Mr Wellerby picks up the bags, and begins escorting McQueen and Clairmont down a corridor.
The building has the bright, efficient look of modern medical care, though its former life as a stately home bleeds though regardless.
A set of fine mahogany doors leads through to a wide, splendid spiral staircase, which circles sedately up to a glass dome. The crisp winter sun spills warmly through, giving the place a touch of cheer that helps counter its institutional décor. You note, however, that wire mesh has been installed on the inner side of the stairs, and is clearly a more modern addition. Relatively ornate, artistic mesh, but nevertheless, a fence.
Near the base of the stairs is another desk, where Mr Wellerby will pause to report your arrival. The nurse nods, and he leads you across to an office, whose door is open.
“Dr. Thorne, some of your visitors have arrived. Ah, would you prefer to speak to the doctor alone, or together? There is a waiting-room.”
@EliScrubbs
“Oh, I see! Yes of course, he’s meeting visitors in the East Wing. We’ll just need to sign you in first - fire safety precautions, you see, we can’t be too careful! - and then someone will take your things and show you to his office.”
Unless you object, she will take you to the desk to sign in, then Mr Wellerby will show you to the office when he returns.
From the corner of your eye, you see a coachman enter with some luggage, followed by a very striking woman - graceful, smartly-dressed, and frankly beautiful.
@Naith Aurore steps out onto the freshly-swept path. The driver sets his well-trained horses to wait, and carries your luggage into the hospital foyer. It’s a nice building, more like a stately home than a hospital.
A nurse is just speaking to an unshaven gentleman nearby. While he’s a bit scruffy just now, he’s dressed and speaks like a professional.
“Oh, might as well do it all together, if the lady doesn’t object?”
(McQueen clearly likes an audience.)
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I definitely have not spend several hours last night and this morning redesigning the hospital and making new maps
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“No, no objections from me. There will be some group therapy, if I understand things right? So we may as well start as we mean to go on.”
Aurore glances at the driver for a moment, it would take him several minutes to carry all the luggage in. She pulls the paper satchel with her documents from the pile, before standing by the reception waiting for one of the nurses to be free.
@Suz @RogerBW
“Very good.” Wellerby knocks on the door: “Dr. Thorne! Two more of your visitors have arrived,” and is greeted by a prompt “Yes, do come in.”
He opens the door to reveal a modest consulting room. The walls are plain plaster, with a few medical diagrams and lists pinned to a corkboard. There are several chairs, and a desk with a dozen or so folders of paperwork. You get the impression this isn’t anyone’s office in particular.
Thorne has risen to his feet, discarding whatever paperwork he was looking at. He’s in his 50s, smart, with a haircut that mainstream opinion would call two decades too young for him. He strides forward to meet you, giving a slight smile, and offering a handshake.
“Good man, Wellerby. Welcome to the Dreaming Ward, ah- would I be right in thinking you Mr. Vincent McQueen? Madam, I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage.”
@Naith After a minute or two, a receptionist looks up enquiringly. "Hello, mi- " before drying up as her eyes fall on you. She blinks and tries again. “W-welcome to the hospital, miss. Are you here for a long stay? Luggage, I mean. That is, how can I help you?”
“Yes, McQueen’s the name. You might remember me from The Door of Sleep, but alas, I’m not here for research…”
Aurore peers at the name badge for a moment, "Judith, it’s a pleasure. Now, I believe the original letter from Dr Thorne said 3-days for this session of his sleep therapy. Can you tell me where I need to go?"
Stella is on firmer ground being the least well-known person in the room. She gives Dr Thorne’s hand a friendly shake. “Well, let me level the playing field, Dr Thorne. I’m Mrs Stella Clairmont, but please… call me Stella."
She turns to McQueen. “The Door of Sleep is a personal favourite as it happens. It’s been on my mind recently, as you might imagine.” Stella pauses briefly as if deciding whether or not to carry on. “Just now is probably not the time, but I would be interested in what you both might think about Charles Fort’s ideas on the matter… if you’re familiar with his articles on somnambulism? I just can’t make up my mind about him.”
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“I’m not sure he’s made up his mind about himself – he’ll report everything, but judge nothing. For somnambulism specifically, I don’t know his views…?”
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“yes.” He brushes off curtly, wincing at the thought, “I know, just hand me the damn paper please so I can get to my room. Who else has arrived, I felt like I recognised one of those two but can’t place it.”
@Naith
Quickly signing the paper, the consultant blinks in surprise at the lady who walks in, then steps aside to allow her to the desk as he matter of factly answers her question to the receptionist.
“Yes, the brochure says three days and the doctor is in his office in the East Wing, but that seems alfully fast to me for a diagnosis and treatment.” then more to himself “though it would be nice to get this over with.”
He lifts his bag over his shoulder, “I’ll take my own bag thank you.”
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@Suz
“Ah, Mrs Clairmont - Stella, then - delighted to have you here. Dr. Randall Thorne at your service.”
He nods as the two of you talk. “As a matter of fact, I have a copy in my office. I didn’t read it just because you joined the study, of course. Funnily enough, I ordered it under the impression it was a monograph; there’s a Professor McQueen over in Harvard who dabbles in my field. I was pleasantly surprised. Cracking read.”
“I should probably confess, Mr. McQueen, I didn’t know your face. Of the three gentlemen I’m waiting for, one is an old acquaintance and the other I know walks with a crutch. That only left you.”
"As for somnambulism, well- " he hesitates a bit. “As you say, perhaps not the time for a chat. But I should be interested to talk later, of course. It sounds like you both have done some reading around the topic, which isn’t unusual - we all seek out explanations for whatever’s troubling us. After the study I’d be only too happy to offer some suggestions if you wish to explore the literature.”
“And speaking of which, I should go over the participation agreement. As you probably know, medical research has changed considerably in the past few years. None of that haphazard experimentation that characterised the last century! I’m proud to say that modern medicine is built on solid ethical principles. I have here a document for each of you, outlining the course of the experiment and what you can expect over the next seven nights. There is also a confidentiality clause, ensuring that anything you say here - not only to me, but in the context of our shared therapy sessions - goes no further than this ward. I can imagine you may well feel some concern about divulging personal matters, and I hope this will put your mind at ease.”
feel free to ask questions, interject etc.
The nurse looks a little surprised at how briskly Mr. Howard deals with the paperwork. It’s a stark contrast to the leisurely pace of the previous pair. According to the reception book, they were “McQueen” and “Clairmont”.
rolled 12 and 9 vs. Intelligence 11. McQueen is a familiar name but you can’t quite place it, you’ve seen it somewhere. You do recall seeing the name Stella Clairmont in the newspaper columns - how much you recognise is up to you.
The receptionist, on the other hand, is clearly distracted by the glamorous woman at her desk, and barely gives you a look as you’re signing in. She smiles shyly at Aurore. “Oh, you’re here for Dr. Thorne’s study? I see, that is, you’ll need to sign in here before Mr. Wellerby shows you to the ward. May I have your name? Although-” she turns to catch the nurse - “Aggie, Dr. Thorne’s study, isn’t it for a week? Yes, I thought so. Miss, I, um, three days, you said? And, oh- you too, sir?”
feel free to roll me 3D6, both of you
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@EliScrubbs passes Body Language
The nurse seems mesmerised by the vision of beauty standing at the desk, and rather flustered. The first mention of ‘three days’ didn’t sink in much, but now you’re repeating it she’s clearly surprised and a little worried.
@Suz asked for a die roll:
Stella takes her cue from Dr Thorne and drops the subject of sleepwalking for now. She does, however, suddenly recall the very thoroughly fenced side to the staircase they passed on the way to the office…
Please let me know if this is not how it works, but Stella would like to try and gauge Dr Thorne’s reaction to the name Charles Fort. Would that be Body Language? Stella has 13 in that skill. Anyway, here’s a roll if needed! 3d6: 6 + 2 + 6 = 14
That is how it works! Exactly like that, thank you. With that roll, you’re slightly above your skill of 13. However, on my sheet you have a 15! I will correct yours. Not sure what’s happened there… you’ve ended up with a -1 instead of a +1
Stella notes a slight nod* from the doctor at the mention of Fort, recognition perhaps. He seemed like he was about to reply to you before thinking better of it, but not in the guilty way you’re experienced in detecting. Perhaps he’s trying to stick to the issue at hand, or maybe it relates to the study? At any rate, he doesn’t seem to be trying to shut down that line of conversation, but rather come back to the original line.
*I can’t think of a word for that kind of upward ‘nod’ meaning “oh yes, I recognise that” but that’s what I mean 
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Sorry! Been a bit out of it recently…
Antonella’s whistling stops as she notices the new arrivals. “You are both here with me for the insomnia study no? Trust me - I am glad dressed up warm. This old building does not look warm - I am glad I brought some warm air” she smiles, retrieving her pipe and tobacco.
She grabs the attention of the porter to grab her bag and checks in to the hospital. “A splendid establishment you have! Nice and old - I might put an offer on anything particularly interesting lying around if that’s acceptable - I run an antiques shop on East 9th street, it would be nice to gain some more customers as well as some sleep!” she jokes.
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@Asydic @EliScrubbs
“Certainly, ma’am - if you’d just sign here… if you’re looking for antiques, how about Matron? She’s getting on a bit!”
“Cheeky!”, grumbles Matron as she passes by. “You behave, Edith.”
Mr Wellerby, returned by this point, is happy to take her bags. “If you’re sure, sir, I certainly don’t mind. Aggie’s right, though, Dr. Thorne’s expecting patients for a week, I’m sure. It’s quite clear on the staffing rota.”
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