”No, I am afraid that the Greenberg family’s crypt has been here for more than fifty years,” Bishop explains, “It was the was the work of a gentleman named Seth Cogswell. He provided services to this cemetery for decades, but passed away almost fifteen years ago. He is buried here at Stanton Street.”

“I will certainly agree that the crypt is impressive. When we step outside, if there are aspects of the structure that you especially admire, please point them out. I have every confidence that Mr. Bianchi could craft something similar for your employers.”

He lifts one hand. ”Regardless, I can offer good terms on a plot for a crypt of similar size. I’m not certain whether you noticed, but our grounds are very well cared for and we go to great pains to ensure that the cemetery is secured against vandals.”

OOC: Two things that are notable about the Greenberg crypt are its inclusion of stained glass windows and the structure’s Grecian style domed roof.

Also, any of the investigators are welcome to make a Psychology roll at this juncture, if desired.

Jake had begun to zone out as the undertaker droned on.

17:29, Today: Jake Morris rolled 91 using 1d100.  Psychology talking to Bishop.

Accustomed to listening to his students boast, fawn for special placements, complain about grades, and make excuses, the professor paid keen attention to the man's mannerisms, tone, and facial expressions as he spoke to see if he could detect any hint of duplicity or whether he was covering something up.

OOC:

Psychology: 4

18:00, Today: Anthony Wells rolled 4 using 1d100.  Psychology (50).

This message was last edited by the player at 23:02, Mon 13 Dec 2021.

Arthur had been paying attention to this fellow, although he was perhaps a bit focused on himself to catch everything he might have.

OOC: "02:03, Today: Arthur G. Flatt rolled 28 using 1d100.  psych (45)."

Bishop takes out a piece of stationary and, using a fountain pen, writes some figures and information on it in tight, neat script. He hands the paper to Professor Wells, who sees that it provides an estimate for the purchase of a site for a crypt location at the cemetery. Although Wells is not greatly knowledgeable regarding such arrangements, the cost quoted strikes him as reasonable.

”Perhaps I could take you to the crypt that is available for a tour,” Bishop says, standing. He draws a key ring from his pocket, which he uses to unlock one of the desk drawers. From the drawer, he takes a large, brass key. He closes the drawer and locks it again.

“Having a look at the interior may help you in identifying any specific needs your family has for their memorial. We can, of course, examine the exteriors of some of the other crypts that are nearby.”

“Shall we?” He gestures to the office door, putting on the dark glasses that he had been wearing when the investigators first approached him.

"By all means, Mr. Bishop, lead on." As Arthur began to follow the man, he cast a glance over to the others, wondering if any of them had picked up on what he had.

He nodded and carefully kept the papers provided him before rising in assent that they'd would go on the tour.

Sullivan (Sully) Quinn rolled 40 for Psychology 75

Sully tries to get a sense of the man as they talk and matches his stride as they cross the lawn toward the exemplar tomb.

"I noticed you keep that particular key in your desk drawer, Mr. Biishop, rather than having to sort it out from all the others. It bespeaks an efficient organization, as does the immaculate condition of the grounds. The conditions at some of your competitors' establishments are shockingly lax."

The undertaker collects his fedora, putting it on as he and the investigators pass through the parlor and exit the mortuary.

”I appreciate you noticing. I suppose it is a matter of family pride,” Bishop tells Sully as he leads the group to the north end of the cemetery, ”We want our customers to be confident that their loved ones’ resting place is consistently attended to and kept in good order. Stanton Street Cemetery has never been cited for any deficiencies by the Board of Public Health. We have been members in good standing with the Gotham Funerary Board since its inception.”

Bishop halts in front of a modest, but well maintained crypt constructed from white stone. Above the entrance, the name ”Tapley” has been engraved in tall, gothic letters. The single bronze door has been sculpted with an image of a field of wheat stretched out beneath a rising sun. The undertaker unlocks the heavy door and pushes it open.

Stepping inside, Bishop uses a silver lighter to two sets of candles in tall, brass candelabras which are arranged on either side of a tastefully painted mural depicting a peaceful seashore. Inscribed above it are the words ”Eternal Hope”. Between the illumination from the candles and the sunlight entering through the open door, the investigators have a clear view of the crypt’s interior.

The walls are of white marble and the eastern and western sides of the structure hold individual vaults where family members are interred. Most are vacant. Only three on the western wall have been used, the earliest burial having occurred in 1907, the most recent in 1918.

The interior of the crypt is quite clean, the flooring free of any noticeable dirt or dust.

”This is a very simple installation for a family memorial,” Bishop says, his voice made louder by the confined space, “The Tapleys did not desire anything especially elaborate. Of course, we and the craftsman can certainly work to accommodate any specific desires your family might have.”

OOC: Everyone kindly give me a Spot Hidden roll.

Having previously been told he would be OK taking photographs outside of the offices, Arthur busied himself snapping photographs as he looked around attentively.

OOC: "03:38, Today: Arthur G. Flatt rolled 31 using 1d100.  spot hidden (50)."

Jake follows along, content to let the scene play out, but he keeps his eyes open as they walk through the cemetery, looking for . . . he's not sure what.

When Bishop opens the door to the tomb, he hangs back, not over keen to crowd inside with the dead.

08:30, Today: Jake Morris rolled 55 using 1d100.  Spot Hidden in cemetary [vs 65%].

Sullivan (Sully) Quinn rolled 19 for Spot Hidden 50.

Sully looks about as they cross to the crypt, noting the landscaping and layout of the place. Inside the structure, he walks around quietly, taking in the mural and the other appointments.

”Do you think that a memorial such as this would suit the family who employs you?” Bishop asks, ”Or would they prefer something more elaborate? Or might they require an installation that is larger?”

Morris watches Bishop carefully as he unlocks and opens the door to the crypt. Does he leave the key in the lock or take it out as he set the door ajar?

If he leaves it in, Morris will try to find the remains of a candle, and start working the wax in his hands, out of sight, to see if he can make a soft enough lump to steal an impression of the key at the next tomb.

OOC: Let me know what rolls he might need.

"I believe the size is along the lines of what they were looking for, though I think they should prefer a more elaborate style and would have preferences in the design, though I think the work that we've observed casually on the more elaborate ones is of a very fine quality and one that would meet their needs."

"Would it be possible for us to see another example, in a more ornate style?"

“I’m pleased to hear that,” Bishop tells the professor with a slight smile.

”I will be happy to show you some of the other nearby crypts, although I will only be able to let you examine each one’s exterior,” the undertaker says in answer to Arthur’s request, “I believe there are some more elaborate memorials on the grounds that would provide a clear idea of what could be constructed.”

Moving closer to the crypt’s entrance, Jake sees that Bishop has left the key to the crypt’s entrance in the door’s lock, apparently confident that the group would only be inside the structure for a short time.

OOC: Jake, I would say that you’ll need to make either a successful Stealth or Sleight of Hand roll to pull it off. Your choice. I’ll allow you a -10 modifier to the roll, since your fellow investigators are doing a good job of keeping the undertaker engaged in conversation.

Jake works as quickly as he can, once the idea is in his head. He squeezes and squeezes a candle stump to warm it enough to be able to take a key impression. When Bishop seems to be paying the least amount of attention, he sidles up to the key in the lock and slips it out, pressing the shape, both sides, into the lump of softened wax, hoping to get an impression that someone can cast a new key from.

The key bobbles in his hand as he is sliding it back into the door, but he hopes Bishop did not hear over his yacking with the others.



<sup>15:31, Today: Jake Morris rolled 47 using 1d100.  Try to sneak key to take wax impression.

Jake Stealth = 45 + 10 = 55

Looks like a success? At least he has something he thinks might work! Now he has to find someone who can make the key. But an ex-copper like him will surely know locksmiths with a taste for larceny.</sup>

OOC: The roll is indeed a success, the assistance of Jake’s fellow investigators playing a helpful role.

Seemingly focused on salesmanship and his conversation with Wells and Flatt, Bishop never notices Jake draw the key from the crypt’s lock or return it mere seconds later.

The undertaker ushers the small group out of the memorial, dutifully locking the door behind them after they exit. Leading the investigators eastward, he halts at several of the crypts along the row, most of which feature elaborate construction, skillful carvings of words or images upon the walls, and impressive statuary. Clearly knowledgeable of the cemetery he oversees, he discusses each of the prominent details, providing them with a rough estimate of what each would cost to implement. Most of the crypts are clearly old, but it is plain that each has been well maintained.

Leading the investigators back toward the central driveway, Bishop says, ”I am well aware that an investment such as this requires consideration. Should you have additional questions, you’re welcome to phone during business hours or pay another visit to the cemetery. I’m confident that you will find the prices I’ve quoted very competitive and I don’t believe that you will find finer service anywhere else in the city.”

"I commend you for the dedication with which you maintain your facility and the informative presentation as to the options and possibilities. I believe I have sufficient information to review with my employer alongside information from other facilities and will be in touch with you if we have any further questions or wish to proceed. Unless any of my fellows have any questions, I think that for my part, I'm satisfied," he said.

Unless anyone had any questions, he would bid the man a polite farewell and proceed to discuss the next matter with his fellows. There was the matter of speaking to the groundskeeper at the indicated location.

Sully bids the mortician farewell. He will go along with the professor to meet with the groundskeeper. He rather hopes the barber shop might serve as a front for a speakeasy.

Jake will also go to meet with the groundskeeper at the barbershop, after making sure the wax impression of the key is in good shape and does not get warm or squished by his movements. If he can, he'll put the wax blob in a paper bag and carry it carefully.

Arthur makes his farewells, continuing outside with his colleagues.

Outside the cemetery, he turns to the others. "Well, gentlemen, are we all ready? It's right over this way..."

Arthur went in the direction of the barbershop.

Crown Barbers proves easy to locate with Arthur leading the investigators. The door of the corner shop stands open and the sounds of conversation and a radio, from which can be heard the details of the current contest between the Yankees and the Harrisburg Giants, drift out to the sidewalk. The customary red, white, and blue barber pole is mounted to the left of the entrance. Just right of the doorway, a well used shoeshine box sits unmanned.

Within a few minutes of the investigators’ arrival, the groundskeeper from the Stanton Street Cemetery arrives, glancing furtively back in the direction he traveled, as if to make certain that he was not followed. Nodding to the four men, he addresses Professor Wells in a low voice. [Language unknown: ”Evross hineis, iche. Is stiri meeiun ect encestearine utol niwa lickut atiss ingyin'vorpre, st I ectmi k fiofti. Wa esckme k intoreous wer m ri sata.]

Sully has hung his hat on the rack by the door and taken a seat in one of the barber chairs, requesting a light trim. Once enveloped by the sheet, he says, "This heat makes me thirsty. Got anything for a man to drink around hear?" He closes one eye in a slow wink.