When Price asked after the offices of the Cairo Bulletin at the hotel concierge, he was directed to a building across the street. The main door lead into a front office of one of Cairo's few English language papers, where they could see a small seating area across from a desk behind which sat a clerk.

Upon asking for Mr. Wassif, they were asked to take a seat and wait. The secretary passed a message to someone near the door, a quick few words in Arabic, and a few minutes later a well dressed man emerged from within.

Price smiled, stepped forward and shook the man's hand, "Mr. Wassif?"

"You've got that right," he said, offering Price and Amboy in turn each a firm, polite handshake. In his early forties, Wassif is of medium height, and he stood in the doorway of the room behind him, propping it open. Behind him there was a room full of the click-clack sound of typewriter keys being struck, and they could see the hustle and bustle one might expect of a newsroom. He has slicked-down hair and a light, pencil-thin mustache. His suit and shirt are excellently cut and conservative.

"Very good. I'm always happy to see some Englishmen about. Might I know your names, gentlemen, and the business upon which you are here?"

Harry was momentarily surprised Mr. Wassif's resemblance to himself. While Wasiif was darker complected, his features were strikingly similar, and Price wondered his father might not have fathered some unknown child during his military service around the Empire.

The man's manner, diction, and dress certainly hinted at some connection to Britain in his past as well.

Moving on past his quick appraisal of Wassif, Price replied to the question, "I am Harry Price and this is my chum, Mr. Amboy. We are newly arrived visitors to Cairo and I wondered if we might have a private moment to chat with you about a recent article we read under your byline."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:49, Wed 27 Feb 2019.

"One of my articles? Yes, I did write that piece about the upcoming Governor's Ball," he said. "Come right this way, we'll find my office just down the hall."

He waved the in after him, and took them past a row of desks with young men hammering away on typewriters, some scribbling on pads, others conducting research into books, stacks of papers, and old newspapers. He lead them to an office, where they were seated.

"Well, Mr. Price and Mr. Amboy, which of my articles do you wish to speak about? If it's the ball you're interested, and you gentlemen do strike me as the type who might enjoy a ball, I might be able to see if I can acquire tickets, though it is quite late for that. Have you been in Cairo long?"

"Excellent." Price said as he followed Wasssif to his office.

"Why yes, tickets to the Ball would be appreciated. We are traveling with a larger party, so if we could obtain six, I would be happy to make a contribution to the appropriate charity."

"But the truth is, my inquiry is regarding the article you penned on The Clive expedition and the case of the missing mummy."

"An interest in history and archaeology is it now? We do get many of those types here in Cairo, of course. I do on occasion write about that scene when I'm not covering the social scene. As the owner of this paper, I'm at liberty to write about what I please - and who isn't interested in the theft of a mummy?"

He smiled, reaching back into the shelf for a copy of the recent paper, laying it on the desk in front of them.

"What do you wish to know about it that isn't in my article?"

"Yes, among other things. Like you the story caught my interest. As for what I would like to know, I guess I would say my interest lies in what you thought to incredible to include in the article." Price said hoping to cut to the chase without tipping his own hand.

OOC:

I'm going to need a Persuade roll for that, Mr. Price.

16:29, Today: Harry Price rolled 92 using 1d100 with rolls of 92.  Persuade  75%.

Hey maybe Tiny and I can beat it out of him. LOL

In reply to Harry Price (msg # 10):
Tiny sees that the major's subtle question goes unanswered, so in a firm voice adds, "I think the major 'ere, was just askin if'n there was something that you did not put in them stories.  Was there?"
06:25, Today: John 'Tiny' Amboy rolled 27 using 1d100 with rolls of 27.  Persuade (15%): 60% - Ask newpaperman about story.
OOC: Dang, Tiny can actually use persuade, and didn't even need his sap! WOOT!

"Major is it? Well, Major Price and Mr. Amboy, there is always something that I don't include in my articles. I have to keep them of a certain length, and so one must prune, trim the extraneous details that aren't central to the narrative or that aren't as likely to be of interest to the readers," he said.

"As for incredible things that I didn't include, one letter writer told me that the same extraterrestrials that built the Pyramids came in a flying vessel to take the mummy back, who was a long lost creature of their civilization. I found it too incredible to include in the article, and so I left it be. But I receive many theories such as these, who have read too much H.G. Wells and such things. Can you be more specific as to what you are interested in? If you have a theory and can prove it, we are always buying articles."

Price, impressed by Tiny's intervention, made a note to complement his traveling companion upon their departure.

After what he had seen and learned so far, rather than the author of the letter seeming like a crackpot, he sounded like an interesting source of knowledge.

"Well while I would be fascinated to read the letter, my curiosity is driven by rumors of a potential scandal being whispered about a certain foundation which sponsors many expeditions here in Egypt. The possibility that this theft is connected to this scandal certainly crossed my mind." Price replied.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:20, Fri 08 Mar 2019.

"I can only assume that you're talking about the Penhew Foundation, which funds the Clive Expedition and seems to be involved in any number of expeditions, and I'd be quite happy to pen an article about any scandals you can point me to surrounding them in our gossip pages - though I'm not aware of any myself. I suppose the most close to scandal was perhaps the Carlyle Expedition, though I would say they leaned closer to the bizarre and unexplained than scandalous," he said.

"Of course, they're all dead now, so it's a bit less interesting to write about, unless you have a particularly juicy bit." He looked hopeful.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:45, Fri 08 Mar 2019.

Price paused for a moment.

"Nigel you seem a good chap, for the reason, I am both willing and hesitant to lay my cards, at least some of them on the table."

"I have been engaged by a client to look into the Penhew Foundation. In particular, some allegations that link the Penhew Foundation to some rather nefarious activities."

"Perhaps over the last few months, you might have read about a series of grisly murders in England whose victims hailed from the Egyptian community. I am here in Cairo in part looking into those killings, and its connection to one Edward Gavigan."

"Are you familiar with the name?" Price asked.

"Yes, I have read the English papers. We do get them down here, even if they are much delayed, but I did read about the murders, and more recently, the warrant out for Gavigan in connection with a number of rather grisly crimes. It's caused quite a stir in the archaeological community, to be sure," Nigel responded.

"Having written about some of the Penhew Foundation expeditions in the past, starting with the now famous Carlyle Expedition which I covered in some detail, and I became familiar with the names of some of the key members of that organization. I have certainly heard of Gavigan. What might the connections to English murders be in Egypt, Major Price? Do you think that Gavigan has come here to hide out?"

"My regrets I did not intend to come across as condescending. Merely a reflexive manner of speech for a man in my occupation." Price said.

"As for Gavigan, yes, I do think it is possible." Price added.

"Perhaps now you might share anything interesting your recent stories, that seemed too fantastical to print. I assure you at this point, I am very open minded to hearing even the most far fetched tale." Price said.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 21:48, Fri 15 Mar 2019.

"I didn't interpret your question as condescending," he said plainly. "Sometimes it does take news time to travel, and these developments, well, some of them have been quite recent. I have many ties back in your home country that do occasionally get me information faster than the paper."

"As far as the Clive Expedition is concerned, I'm afraid that I haven't discovered anything about them that is too fantastical to print. They are simply horrid about keeping press away from their dig sites. I do notice an interesting connection between their expedition and another Penhew related expedition that received some notoriety a few years back when they were all killed in Kenya."

"The principals of the Penhew Foundation had dinner several times with a wealthy cotton plantation owner named Omar Shakil, an oily and repellent man and whose private reputation is...unsavory and perhaps has connections to a local criminal syndicate. Interestingly, the Clive Expedition have also met with him a few times now. To my understanding, Mr. Shakil is a businessman and not in the trade of archaeology, but nevertheless...he seems to be a local connection for the Penhew Foundation."
This message was last updated by the player at 23:43, Tue 19 Mar 2019.

Price thought about Gavigan's activities outside of murder and asked, "Do you think this Shakti might be part of a ring involved in smuggling stolen artifacts?"

"Shakti?" he asked, not certain who Price was referring to.

"Omar Shakil, the oily guy with connections to criminals and the Penhew foundation." Price clarified.

"As far as smuggling artifacts, I have no doubt that he is capable of such a thing. Do you have some information about this operation, Mr. Price? I'd very much like to pen an exposé about that if you have anything that might be of help in doing that," he said.
This message was last updated by the player at 18:55, Thu 21 Mar 2019.

"Nothing specific. But clearly, if Gavigan was tied up with a murderous cult, and there are very clear indications that he was involved in smuggling artifacts. It would certainly explain the odd connection between your Mr. Shakil and the Gavigan and the Penhew Foundation."

Price considered the newspaper man's instincts and the death of the American Thomas Cotten, "I know all this talk will get you curious, but I have to warn you, these are very deadly characters. If Gavigan is here and gets wind that you or anyone else is looking into this, I don't think he or his associates will hesitate to kill you or anyone else they think might be looking into them."

"I say this because you seem a good chap. I would hate to see anything horrible, and it would be horrible happen to you. If you are going to dig in further, I beg that you consult me first and that you do so discreetly under the cover of this upcoming ball."  Price was quite earnest in his concern.

"Murder, you say?" he said. "I do thank you sincerely for your concern, Major Price, and I will promise to be cautious. I would also urge you to exercise similar caution, if you ever hear the name of a group called the Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh. It is the criminal syndicate that I believe Shakil is involved with, and they are a very dangerous group indeed."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:25, Thu 12 Dec 2019.

Tiny face shows worry and he addresses Wassif,  "Sir, please take the Major's words to 'eart.  Gavigan and his cronies are right evil bastards.  The will stop at nothin to get their way.  I almost died at them bastards hands, and saw plenty of others die because of 'em."

"I do indeed take them to heart, Mr. Amboy," he said. "What kind of evil things has Mr. Gavigan done, the ones that almost got you killed?"

"I was workin as a longshoreman around the London, Limehouse Docks. I bumped into a drunken Norwegian captain of the Ivory Wind, a Lars Torvak. He me about smugglin some weird stuff to Shanghai, the home port of his ship. I got me curiosity up and decided to 'ave a look at the warehouse the stuff was in.

When I started lookin round, I found guns, explosives, drugs, and some of the strange statuettes, a bloated woman with an oriental face, a tall black figure with Egyptian looks, a strange large bat statue and truly some disturbin paintings as well.

Then I was hit from behind and knocked out, never say it a comin. I was taken to the country and put in a basement cell of a manor.

Gavigan came by and tortured me and those with me in the cell. I got some right nasty bruises and cuts from him. He told us he would call some monsters to kill and eat us all, or just sacrifice us.

Later we was striped naked, and Gavigan lead us out into the cold night, shackling us to a large stone. He did some mumbo jumbo, like a priest callin to God, but in a talk I couldn't understand.

My good luck finally hit and the police showed up and saved most of us, but Gavigan got away."
OOC: Tiny intentionally leaves out the monsters he had seen, as he does not expect to be believed by anyone who did not see them.

As soon as "Tiny" mentioned bloated statues and weird paintings, and it became clear Amboy had thrown discretion out the window, even as the big man spoke Price interjected, "All this is off the record."

"For your protection and ours." Price added.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:49, Fri 22 Mar 2019.

Nigel had already began to furiously take notes as Amboy spoke to him. When Price mentioned it being off the record, he nodded easily.

"But of course. This isn't the sort of thing I can print, you understand. It can inform my other inquiries, however. Have no fear: your names will not be mentioned in any connection with this business. On that, I give you my word."

With almost all their cards on the table, Price hoped to gain some more information, "This Brotherhood of the Black Pharaoh sounds right up Gavigan's alley, what more can you tell us about this foul cabal?"

"I can tell you that I believe they are an organization that brings great shame to Egypt. As I mentioned before, I am certain that Omar Shakil is involved with them. You already seem to be aware of them, if not by name. I believe from what you have told me, especially the details that Mr. Amboy has shared, that whatever Mr. Gavigan was involved with is very similar to the types of things that this...cult is involved with," he said.

"From everything I know...and everything you have brought to me, which has been quite helpful in confirming my suspicions...I would wager that the Clive Expedition probably is involved with them as well. Some of their members at least. Some may have clean hands, unwitting pawns of the Brotherhood. You know of their dangers, as do I, so be careful - but if you are interested in following up on what they have been up to, this would be very good information to have. I cannot publish this under the name of the Bulletin, of course, but there are certain less reputable publications that I can back channel to and anonymously put the information out there."

He leaned forward, quite intent.

"I would normally offer to pay for stories, and I can, but I gather that you - like me - are a man of means and station, Major Price, and I doubt that what I can offer in the way of pecuniary compensation will be a great temptation. Still, if you can provide me any information that you come across I can promise to repay you with a favor in kind - be it my connections locally, or otherwise."
This message was last updated by the player at 19:17, Fri 22 Mar 2019.

Price listened carefully, "Despite my regrets for increasing the danger you may be facing, I am glad to have made your acquaintance and gratified that you put your trust in us."

"As far as what we can do for one another, while we have accumulated significant knowledge of this dark cabal, we could certainly benefit from an alliance with someone with your aptitude and expertise."

"For instance, we are in need of a trustworthy local guide. Perhaps you might know someone, though as we have already discussed the job will be a dangerous one."

"You haven't procured a guide yet? That is certainly something to recommend sooner than later, Major Price. Yes, I can certainly help with that. Without a guide, Cairo can be quite difficult to navigate. Of course, the Victoria drivers know where they are going, if you're staying on the beaten path, and sometimes even if you're not, but unless you're fluent in Arabic it might be a bit harder to get around save between major landmarks. What sort of things or places are you looking to do or see while in Cairo?" he asked.

"This will influence the sort of guide that I recommend for you. If you are looking to visit the major institutions, I have a good recommendation. But if you want to get into the Old City, it will take quite another sort of fellow."
This message was last updated by the player at 16:55, Mon 25 Mar 2019.

"Honestly I don't know where this investigation will take us, so let's assume the worst and hire the most resourceful of the possible capable of guiding our ways through the back alleys of this beautiful city." Price replied.

"I know just the man - if he's available, that is. Ibrahim has a certain...je ne sais quoi...he's got a quality about him. I'll have to make a phone call or two to see if he's available, and then I'll be able to send him your way. He charges about 40 piasters per day, and provides first rate service. You could get a cheaper guide out in the streets that would charge about half that, but you get what you pay for. What hotel are you staying at?"

"Shepheard's Hotel. across the street. As for your choice, he sounds like an excellent choice." Price replied.

"Oh, before I forget, this ball you mentioned. Sounds like a pleasant distraction. Do you think you could get your hands on some tickets with the proper donation?"

"When I mentioned the Governor's Ball, I thought you gentlemen were here on more trivial matters, but if you desire for a little recreation when you're in town, I can make some inquiries. It is quite the event for local high society - I may be able to get my hands on two tickets at the very most. Ask me again in...three days time, and I'll see what I can do, and how much it will cost you. Sound fair?"

"More than fair."

"If anyone is curious about why we met, or why we might meet in the future, these tickets for the ball should serve as a useful charade." Price said.

"Plus it never hurts to rub elbows with the right people." Price added.

Price stood up, "It was an unexpected pleasure meeting you Mr. Wassif."

"The same to you, Major Price, and to you Mr. Amboy," he said, shaking each of their hands in turn.

"If you should require my assistance while you're in town, please don't hesitate to look me up. And if you should learn more about these...interesting characters that we're mutually curious about, I should be most happy and grateful to learn what you know."

'One last thing. You mentioned you had written about the Carlyle Expedition. Perhaps I might have a chance to read them, and do so in privacy."

Price shook hands and as he departed added, so he could be overheard, "Please let me know about those tickets. Thanks again for your time."

"Let's get back to the hotel and have a drink." Price said to his companion.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:40, Wed 27 Mar 2019.

Tiny thanks Wassif for his time and follows Price out.  Tiny's eyes light up a bit when the major mentions a drink, "Yes Sir, a wee bit of libations would certainly help the situation, ahhh... usually a wee bit of libations help out just 'bout any situation!"