[IC] Act One: Los Angeles

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Nov 29, 2025 11:43 am
"Well, the Professor doesn't need to know Job is in Savannah... I could say his family employed me to try unlocking the state he is in. Break through his trauma, as it were... We need to be careful around this man, though. We don't know his affiliations, and the stakes seem still high, judging from our goodbye committee in Savannah... "

" Let's go, " he says, leading the way in the search for the History Department and Ayers' office.
Dec 1, 2025 4:04 pm
You quickly arrive at Professor Ayers' office, but have to check when you get there - it's the correct office number (it matches both the campus guide book and the information the switchboard operator gave you), but the name on the door reads Dr. Roman Brittain.

A jest, surely, given the name? As you ponder what to do, the door opens and a student steps out, apologising and holding the door open for you. You can see a man inside sat at a desk, youngish for a professor, but dressed in the obligatory tweed jacket and bespectacled.

"Enter" he says.
Dec 1, 2025 5:49 pm
He examines the lettering on the door, to understand if it is properly set, or a quick, temporary prank.

Then, knocking, he steps through. "Excuse me... we are looking for Professor George Ayers? The University guide pointed us to this office?"
OOC:
is the name engraved, on wood or on a brass plate? Or is it sticky letters on a glass door (ie quick and cheap to replace for an impromptu prank)?
Dec 1, 2025 6:11 pm
The plaque is an engraved brass plate screwed firmly into the door. If it's a prank, then it's either gone unnoticed, or the resident of the office is the prankster.

The man looks up, surprised to see that the newcomer into his office is not a student, and presume sthat you are a fellow professor, albeit one that he doesn't know.

"Ayers? I'm afraid not, not for a while now. That's why I claimed his office. Had his things put into storage in case he ever does come back. I'm Roman Brittain. Yes, my parents had a sense of humour."

You'd guess by his demeanour and delivery that it's a sense of humour he doesn't share.

"Can I help you at all?"
Dec 1, 2025 6:31 pm
"Oh. That is... Unexpected. Maybe you can... Did something happen to him? Perhaps there is an address, to reach him?"
Dec 1, 2025 7:01 pm
"Oh, you'd have to speak to Samantha, the History department secretary for anything of that sort. She'd be the one to know."
Dec 1, 2025 7:42 pm
"Is your History Department secretary nearby, please, Doctor? We're pretty much strangers to this campus." Lillian pitches in.
Dec 2, 2025 2:25 am
"Just down the corridor, turn right at the end, you can't miss it." the professor says, then proceeds to busy himself reading a student's paper. It appears that he's helped you as much as he's planning on doing.
Dec 2, 2025 8:50 am
"Thank-you, " Lillian says and carefully proceeds in the direction given.

"Do you think we'll be able to access those papers, if he was leaving something for you, Dr. Walker?
" she asks quietly.
Dec 2, 2025 5:49 pm
The History department's main office is, as Professor Brittain said it would be, obvious when you turn the corner. The secretary, a middle-aged woman with wavy (dyed) brown hair smiles and asks how she can help you.
Dec 2, 2025 11:50 pm
Quote:
"Do you think we'll be able to access those papers, if he was leaving something for you, Dr. Walker?"
"Don't know... Maybe the leftover papers are a nuisance for the administration. They might be willing to release them... Let's try."

Once at the Secretary 's desk, he responds:
"Yes... We were hoping to meet Professor Ayres, but we are learning he' s not been seen in a while. Is he unwell? Do you know if he left anything for a Doctor Walker? That's me, here's my card... A box with some papers? Or do you maybe have an address, for Professor Ayres? "
Dec 3, 2025 2:07 am
"Professor Ayers? He's been on sabbatical for the last few years. I know, I was the one who arranged his trip to Ethiopia. Haven't seen or heard anything back from him for a while now, not even sure he's still there[, but he hasn't been back since. Funny, I thought it was just going to be a normal sabbatical, for a semester or two, but it's been, oh, it must have been about '24 when he left, I think. Don't know why he never came back, but between the two of us, I wouldn't be sorry if he didn't come back. Just something about the guy, He was rather an unsettling guy.

Her hand suddenly shoots to her mouth. "Oh, you aren't a friend of his are you?" she asks, in horror.

When Dr Walker asks about a box of papers, she says "You'd have to speak to MacDunn about that, he'd know, if anyone." She points to an office with a brass plate that reads "Dr. Hamosh MacDunn, Head of History."
Dec 3, 2025 2:22 pm
Quote:
"Oh, you aren't a friend of his are you?"
"Not exactly... we only corresponded on academic matters... I never met the man. (lowering his voice) But what you say is of great interest to me. It makes sense. You sound like a very sensitive person... tell me, what about him did you find unsettling?"
OOC:
attempts to flatter her, to encourage her to open up more

Rolls

Social, Bedside Manners - (5d6)

(12364) = 16

Dec 3, 2025 3:21 pm
"I'm not sure I could put my finger on it. He was just..." she leans forward a little and speaks in hushed tones to match Dr Walker. "Just somethign not right there. Never wanted to be alone with him, in case he'd say something you weren;t expecting, or something. Just...not right."
Dec 3, 2025 3:33 pm
Gabriel nods conspiratorially.
"He did use some strange turns of phrase in his letters, that made me wonder... but your first-hand account is priceless..."

He presses on, keeping the low tone of voice. "I have heard from Professor Brittain that Ayers' things were put in storage, when Brittain took his office. If I may be so bold... You don't think that, we could take a quick look at them, without disturbing MacDunn?"
OOC:
can I use my Drive to "unearth the hidden" in this scene?
Last edited December 3, 2025 3:33 pm

Rolls

Social, Persuade - (5d6)

(54514) = 19

Dec 3, 2025 3:50 pm
OOC:
Not needed in this scene - you've gotten about as much as you can from Samantha.
"I don't know where it would be kept, I don't deal with that side of things. You'll have to talk to Dr MacDunn, I'm afraid."
Dec 3, 2025 4:44 pm
"I understand... you have my thanks. We will. Goodbye."

As they take their leave, directed towards MacDunn's office, he whispers to Lillian.

"Oh well, I tried. But at least we know that Ayres had a strange aura about him, that didn't fail to impress negatively on his colleagues.
Now, would you please lead the dances, with MacDunn?"
OOC:
over to you @Neil, I don't want to hog the spotlight any longer!
Dec 4, 2025 9:21 am
"I'll give it a shot, Doctor, but it does strike me that this place is your bailiwick."

Lillian leads on towards Dr. MacDunn's office and knocks, only entering if she hears a response.

Assuming he's in...

"Good day to you Dr. MacDunn. My colleague here is Doctor Walker and I am Mrs Blakey, assisting him on this trip. Many years ago, Professor Ayres was corresponding and researching in an area of unusual interest. We'd hope to see him, but in his apparent absence, we'd like to access some papers that he may have left behind, if they're still intact, please."
Dec 4, 2025 5:39 pm
MacDunn is a large, white-bearded man who has obviously spent too long sat at a desk or stood at a lectern in a classroom, his belly quite large. As Lillian speaks, he looks at Dr Walker, seemingly confused as to why his secretary appears to be speaking instead of the man himself, but appears to shrug it off quickly. When he speaks, it's with a deep Scottish brogue, his words spoken somewhat slowly and mellifluously, as if rolled around his mouth first to savour them before being uttered.

"Ayers?" he begins. "Haven't heard that name in a while. Here, sit ye selves down," beckoning to a couple of chairs in his quite spacious office. He leans back in his chair to stare at the ceiling, tilting it at a quite alarming angle, enough that both of you fear he's going to tip it over, but it appears this is something he's used to and his belly provides the necessary ballast to keep him stable.

"He's been gone since, what '24? I remember I gave him permission to travel to Africa for a year, some dig he was interested in. I told him he'd need a private donor to finance his trip, and he came up with one straight away, was a little surprising as these things tend to take up some time. Name's on the tip of my tongue, a local businessman. What was it now? Mexican name."

He spends some time in thought on this matter, giving you the opportunity to jump in if you wish to.
Dec 4, 2025 6:58 pm
"Wouldn't be a SeƱior Echavarria, would it? He was somebody referenced before."
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