"Five nights!" exclaims Alexander slightly louder than he'd intended "Oh...." He scratches the stubble on his chin, embarrassed at his outburst.

"I cancelled my Orient Express ticket, which would have had me back with my family rather quicker than our jaunt looks to do now. I had better send a telegram...."



Alexander brightens at Molly's mention of two days

"The Ritz? As long as you promise not to tell my wife as she'll murder me for not arranging to meet her here...."

JM lingers to check the airplane and see that it is properly placed in a covered hangar.  "I had thought of staying in the city Karlheinz.  There is work to do on the aircraft which can be done during the day but the pleasures of the city call.  Our time in Egypt stands to be quite harsh and it might be best to enjoy the City of Light while we can."

Later he joins the others.  "I think two to three days is as much time as we should tarry in the City.  I'm eager to get to our destination for time is surely not in our favor.  Still, there is some maintenance that can be done on the aircraft as the longer flight will have worked the engines enough that minor adjustments will be beneficial for the rest of the trip."  He smiled at Molly. "The Ritz?  I have heard that is a magnificent place.  As well I have been eager to visit some of the newer clubs that feature American jazz.  I would love to share an evening with you and the others."

"Slightly longer would suit myself and Mr Perkins and give us both a chance to combine forces on the research, as it were."

JM considers and glances at Molly.  "If there is information to be gained then the time would be well spent.  Still, from the campaigns in the desert during the War I've learned that time is something that one can ill afford to gift to the foe."

Mr Perkins added;

"Unless someone let something slip I don't think they expect us in Egypt. In saying that one can never be to sure in these things."

The Count looked around at the others;

"Well it looks like we have that settled then. We should be able to find taxis somewhere around here."

He craned his head looking for a likely location for taxi stand.

JM frowns.  "We may not be expected but the longer we give the foe to brew whatever devilry they work the worse for all."  He shrugged.  "Still, a few days in Paris cannot hurt too badly.  Let me see that Karlheinz is settled and I will join you in the cab."

He walked over to KH and grabbed his bag.  "Can I persuade you to come stay in the Ritz with us?  There should be entertainment in the evenings."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 99):

Then I believe it is settled?  We shall stay at least a few days.  If nothing else we will make it look like we are on vacation before going further.  Hmmm.  Now to figure out what name.....What about Sandy Rivers."

She put her hands behind her head and struck a pose.  "Do I look like a Sandy Rivers?"

JM gave Molly a careful look over as she posed.  "You could be a Sandy Rivers but I think you need more risque outfit."

As Alexander headed off to join the others, Roger proceeded to make sure the plane got its proper attention as far as hangering, then hopped out and stretched himself a little, before heading over to where the others were.

Overhearing mention of the Ritz and of nightclubs, he perked up a little, after being a little mesmerised from the flight, "My man Falcon! You know, my body's crying out for a mattress and a clean set of linens, but you know, I'm always game for a prowl on the town.  Where were we thinkin' of crashin', Alex?" He turned to him, remembering his offer to shout him a dinner, which he certainly wasn't goin' to miss out on.  He was always a little strapped for cash in his line of work.

In reply to Roger Bedford (msg # 102):

"Well by the sounds of it the Ritz.... I shall be happy to extend my offer of dinner to a room there as well. It's the least I can do after being such a dreary passenger. Have you been to Paris before? I haven't, so I would welcome someone showing me the sights between parties and shopping...."

Alexander, whilst talking, locates his overnight bag and checks that his documents are safe and sound.

"Did someone mention a taxi?"

The man looked tempted.

"I don't know, someone should watch over the planes, ya? And preferably not alone. You remember what happened to Mr. Lampton's servant, Francis.

"Besides... too much temptation to drink."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 94):

"The Ritz, eh? Splendid place. Been there before the war. Fabulous, just fabulous."

They'd been travelling for a few hours at most. It was a splendid early spring afternoon. This was one of the busiest airports in the world, and planes were taking off and landing every hour or so.

A few Peugeot motor taxis were pulled up in front of the terminal buildings, ready to take fares into the city. Behind them on the flight line, a plane was revving up for takeoff.

"Well, so Karlheinz was up for staying.  Does it seem good he stay here alone?  I'm kind of itching for a night on the town.  Not been to Paris since the War, ya know."

JM nods sympathetically to Karlheinz.  "I think we are safe here in Paris as no one can know where we are or even that we are continuing to chase our way to Egypt.  We can hire a watchman and spend a bit of extra coin to get extra security." He put his arm around KH.  "It's a chance to relax with friends Karlheinz.  I understand the drinking issue and I'll stay dry with you.  We can have some fun without getting drunk."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:58, Mon 02 Sept 2013.

Molly looked up at John-Marc and arched an eyebrow at him.  "Really?  Well this is daytime sir.  More risque is reserved for night wear."

She then smiled and pulled out her notebook and started to make a few notes in it.

JM laughed with Molly at her sally on the subject of outfits. "Ah, but this is Paris after all and even the daytime outfits should be more bold."

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 110):

Molly chuckled as she closed her notebook and put it back away.  "Did you hear that Cynthia?  We have our first goal.  Evidently I need a more risque outfit to prance around Paris in even during daylight hours.  Otherwise I won't live up to the name of Sandy.  Would you care to accompany me?  Hmmm.  I wonder if the hotel has a clothier on staff."

The young man brightened.

"All right, that is gut!

"Let us go into the city."
This message was last updated by the GM at 08:40, Mon 02 Sept 2013.

A taxi driver with an elaborate mustache opened the door on his cab, as did the next one in line. Sizing up the investigators and hearing their English, he said, "mesdames et messieurs, may we take you into the city?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:58, Mon 02 Sept 2013.

Cynthia chuckles, "Sandy Rivers, en route to the Nile? Should I be Dame Lake? Of course, it only works with the proper accent.

"I'm sure the Hotel has a clothier, but I think that there are some things which are best done on one's own. Remember, we have special requirements on our clothes! It's worth taking the time to ensure we're getting only the highest quality tailoring available."

Cynthia considers grabbing out two trunks, but decides it's better to just bring one, then fill up a second once she's out on the town.

Cynthia addresses the cabbie, "À l'hôtel Ritz, s'il vous plaît, mais prendre la route panoramique."

In reply to Cynthia Jane Holloway (msg # 114):

It was Molly's turn to chuckle at Cynthia's words.  "Oh I don't think that I want to tell the Ritz that they don't have the "highest quality tailoring available"...unless it is to get a discount on the bill of course.  But you are right.  We shall go venture forth into the land of sheer cloth and beautiful accents.  You shall take the lead Dame Lake and I shall follow since you know the language and I don't. I shall just smile sweetly and exclaim in glee at the wonderful products."

Molly pointed out which luggage was hers and followed Cynthia and she planned to do.  She also hoped that panoramique meant taking the scenic route.

They were helped into a couple taxis, then were whisked away past farmers' fields surrounding the airport towards Paris. The road was of finest quality, improved immensely during the war. Some bridges they crossed were older stone, some newer steel. Passing by innumerable suburban towns, the buildings grew closer together, motor cars became more frequent and horse-drawn wagons less so, and they encountered more people along what rapidly became city streets. But the buildings did not get significantly taller, due to the strain larger structures put on the city's ancient and fragile sub-strata. Liek most modern cities, the air became sootier the further they penetrated the city's precincts.

Finally, the arrived at the magnificent Hôtel Ritz Paris. This edifice was no doubt the most luxurious hotel in the world. The hotel overlooked the Place Vendôme, a city square featuring a statue of Napoleon Bonaparte mounted on a horse, atop a tall pedestal. Erected a century ago to commemorate the battle of Austerlitz, the statue was torn down by order of the Paris Commune but later replaced. Shiny automobiles and taxicabs lined the front, liveried bellhops and porters passed bags in and out of the doors. Those who had never been here before were no doubt amazed at the finery, those who had knew there was nothing else like it in the world.

Above and behind the hotel, across the River Seine, stood Monsieur Eiffels' grand tower. It was true, you could see that phallic structure anywhere in Paris, or so it seemed. The taxis let them out by the main entrance, accepting a few francs for their trouble. Porters and bellhops swarmed them, carrying their luggage inside.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:50, Wed 04 Sept 2013.

The Anglo-Egyptian follows his luggage inside and approaches the main desk in order to secure rooms for himself and his companions.

He plans to wash, then relax for a while before having lunch at the hotel. Then an afternoon of sight seeing perhaps, before dinner with any of his companions free to do so, before presumably being dragged out on the town...