Murder Game One - Page 2

**drmomentum**[$] · #41 03-22-2002, 03:23 PM

Bobby turns his attention to Tim. "Girlfriend, ex-girlfriend, woman, - a few less polite names might be appropriate - you can just call her 'Fiona,' like everyone else."

"If you want Fiona's explanation, I came here to continue stalking the rekindled lovebirds." His accompanying birdlike hand motions look more like flapping flippers than wings. "But my real reason for coming here, aside from that it's such a hot spot, was to let Fiona know that she wasn't the only one occasionally enjoying the accomodations here at Motel Rick."

Bobby pushes himself out of his chair, moves past Margaret and leans toward Fiona. "Why I should give a damn anymore would be a good question for a shrink, if I had one. As for my working habits, I guess I thought I could keep up with you if I had a little extra cash. That was before you started 'living la vida loca' with the life of the party over here."

Bobby shuffles toward the body, squints at it a bit, then shakes his head and returns to the group.

"The reason for my drinking? That should be obvious to everyone here at this point. Just as obvious as how pathetic it is that I still give a damn."

-JP

Redlass · #42 03-22-2002, 03:29 PM

Tim pats his pockets nervously, finally finding and pulling out a white handkerchief. He stands, walks over to Pauline and hands it to her, patting her comfortingly on the shoulder.

"Yes, it is very upsetting, isn't it? Here, take this." Tim fidgets uncomfortably and then walks to the kitchen, opens the refrigerator door and starts to take out a bottle of beer. "No, no," he mutters. "I can't sit here and drink the man's beer while he lies dead upstairs."

Tim returns to the living room, hands in his pockets, fumbling with his change. "When you feel better, Pauline, maybe you could tell us what he said when he mentioned Lou...er, what he mentioned. I always thought he and Louis were um, chums." Tim begins pacing, keeping a nervous distance from Louis. He stops in his tracks to listen to Bobby's outburst.

"Hotel Rick?" he asks. "Who? Someone here?"

chalathra · #43 03-22-2002, 03:43 PM

Pauline:

"Thanks Tim. Well...from what I understand Rick and Louis dealt with each other---financially. I'd like to hear more about that. Funny that there are such huge checks made out to Louis... Hmmmm...let's see, is everything else accounted for on Rick's person here?"

"Hey Bobby, seems as though you have a lot to be upset with Rick about."

kurt_messick · #44 03-22-2002, 04:36 PM

Professor Chun:

Rick was one of my students. I knew him fairly well. He was an excellent student a few years ago.

However, lately he seems to have slowed down a bit. I don't know something was bothering him or distracting him.

I certainly don't need something like this with my tenure review coming up. This could jeoparidise that for me.

Alas, all I wanted this evening was some relaxation and distraction.

phoenixx · #45 03-22-2002, 04:50 PM

FIONA:

Well, well... the Professor speaks. I'm curious to know how Rick's death would affect your tenure? I've met you and your wife in passing before, but can't say that I know you at all, any more than I know Pauline, Luis or Tim. In fact, the only person besides Rick that I do know here is Bobby.

:: sips whisky, gazing off reflectively for a moment ::

But the more I think about it, the less I begin to think I knew Rick after all. He was always so..... self possessed and quiet about anything under the surface.

kurt_messick · #46 03-22-2002, 04:51 PM

Professor Chun (again):

Maybe I've had too much to drink, but I don't think I really know Fiona at all...

chalathra · #47 03-22-2002, 04:54 PM

Pauline:

Gets up and dramatically states: "How wonderful. Oh, let's all talk about how awful Rick was---now that his body lay here dead!!!"

phoenixx · #48 03-22-2002, 05:05 PM

FIONA:

You do carry on, don't you Pauline? When I first saw you earlier I would not have pegged you for the hysterical type.

You must be aware that someone in this room is a murderer, and since we barely know each other, talking about what Rick was to each of us seems the fastest way to solve the crime.

We've heard little from Luis, but we've all certainly heard of him - what business could Rick have possibly had with Luis?

And Pauline told us she had recently begun business dealings with Rick, which I take to mean she is at least peripherally involved with Luis as well - so what hooks them together.

Even the stolid Tim, faithful office mate, hinted at a financial relationship with Rick outside the office.

So I'd say let's cut to the chase and dissect the victim, so to speak, and see what we discover.

kurt_messick · #49 03-22-2002, 05:27 PM

Professor Chun:

Actually, I don't think Rick was awful, at least from his dealings with me.

To answer an earlier question, Rick's death could affect my tenure because getting tenure is dependent upon my producing research, and my producing research is dependent upon my students helping me. Rick may have been slowing down a bit, but it would hardly help me for him to stop work altogether.

I don't know anything about any of his financial dealings. Or about Tim's, for that matter. My relationship with students is fairly professional -- I like to think we're on friendly terms, but mostly the relationship is professional and in the office.

mtbat · #50 03-22-2002, 05:30 PM

Margret: Do you think it's wise dear, to disect Rick on our own? perhaps we should simply call the police and let them deal with this. But then, perhaps there is something you'd rather the police don't find out about???

**drmomentum**[$] · #51 03-22-2002, 05:42 PM

Bobby turns to Louis, "I remember talking to you earlier, but I must have had more to drink than I thought since I can't remember what I said. Whatever it was, you didn't seem too interested. I am a little surprised to see you turn up here."

"Tim, buddy, since 'No-Tell Motel Rick' is currently out of business I hardly see the point in opening up the guest list. It's no longer my concern and I didn't come here to play marriage-wrecker. I just wanted to see the looks on a couple of faces. One of those faces is kind of blank and soulless now. The other one is lying dead in the bathroom over there."

-JP

phoenixx · #52 03-22-2002, 06:05 PM

FIONA:

Bobby, your possessiveness and drinking problem ended our relationship, and I made that clear when I left. Rick was a fun diversion and a shoulder to lean on in the few weeks it's been since I left you. He and I had a relationship in the past, but so far we'd only had time for a brief fling this time around. It wouldn't surprise me at all to find he had other women he enjoyed spending time with - after he was the quiet type.

: goes to sip whisky and discovers an empty glass, reaches to end table and pours another whisky neat:

Mrs. Chun, was it? I'm all for calling the cops. In fact, who was it that suggested we not call them in the first place?

kurt_messick · #53 03-22-2002, 06:12 PM

Professor Chun:

Well, I'm for calling the police too. Who isn't for calling the police? Who doesn't call the police at a time like this?

I wish I'd just stayed home and worked some more. I didn't enjoy myself at the department party. I'm not sure why I decided to come over here, either.

**mrisch**[$] · #54 03-22-2002, 06:20 PM

Well, I've said it before, and I'll say it again. My business with Rick was my business. I'm here because Rick invited me - he and I were friends.

::Turning to Bobby:: By the way Bobby, what the hell are you doing here? Didn't you just say that Rick stole your girlfriend? I can't believe Rick invited you here.

chalathra · #55 03-22-2002, 08:25 PM

Pauline:

"I agree Louis, what is Bobby doing here.... But, I am sorry. Being secretive about things right now just does not sit kosher with me. Why so secretive?"

Redlass · #56 03-22-2002, 10:07 PM

Tim resumes his pacing, eventually taking out a pack of Camels and rolling one back and forth in his fingers. Finally, he says, "Look, how about someone call the police. I don't know about the rest of you, but I could really use a smoke. If I drink anymore I'll be incoherent when the cops get here. Someone call the police and I'll go have a smoke on the porch and wave them in when they get here."

phoenixx · #57 03-22-2002, 10:19 PM

FIONA:

Why go on the porch? There's an ashtray on the coffee table. Besides, I'm too keyed up to leave the room right now, I think we should all stay within sight of each other - just open a window.

:: pulls out a Benson and Hedges Menthol Deluxe Ultra Light 100 ::

Got a light?

:: picks up the phone and starts to dial the police ::

Redlass · #58 03-22-2002, 10:43 PM

Tim pulls out a lighter and moves to open the window, "No one minds?" he asks looking around the room for approval before lighting Fiona's cigarette.

**drmomentum**[$] · #59 03-23-2002, 12:15 AM

Bobby returns Louis' stare. "Isn't this where anyone would want to be? I mean, there's a dead philanderer in the bathroom, the fridge is stocked, I'm surrounded by a number of disgruntled people including someone willing to kill. It's a good thing no one has anything against me, except maybe Fiona. But, of course, nothing gets through my darlin's skin. Or does it?"

He begins to rub his temples to force back the throbbing that's starting to take up residence there. "The bathroom - it figures. I'm going to have to return some of this beer pretty soon. Do you think it's okay if we move the guy?"

Bobby picks up the keys and the pen and takes a look at them. "You know, when I got here I expected to find Rick and Fiona alone so that I could deliver my dramatic revelation. I found the apartment empty and since I didn't hear any shower running I didn't think to check the bathroom. I let Fiona in and before I had a chance to enjoy a delightful conversation with her, you all showed up. If I had done in Rick, I think I could have come up with a slightly better plan than to let Fiona in here. The door was open when I arrived, so obviously someone came and went before I got here."

Bobby surveys the crowd and continues, "My reason for disliking Rick is my reason for being here, and it's out in the open. My link to Rick is pretty weak - it's Fiona who is my real affliction."

"I have the least good reason to be here and the least strong connection to Rick. And in my state, probably the least capacity to kill him."

"But I'm starting to get sick of blathering on about myself. Professor Chun and Mrs. Chun, were you together the entire, say quarter hour before coming here?"

phoenixx · #60 03-23-2002, 12:22 AM

FIONA:

:: Moving by the window next to Tim, leaning forward while he lights her cigarette ::

Thanks.

:: turns to Bobby ::

Oh, kiss my Irish behind. I'm tired of seeing you everywhere I go these past few weeks... :: shakes head ruefully ::

Well, I saw Rick drive away from the faculty party with Pauline, his so-called childhood friend. Then I had to park blocks away, and by the time I arrived Bobby was the only one here. Well, besides Rick. :: shudders::

Anyway - what happened to Pauline between the time she and Rick arrived and the time Bobby arrived? Pauline, care to shed some light for us?

:: blows cigarette smoke out the window ::

mtbat · #61 03-23-2002, 12:23 AM

Margret:

I don't think it's a very good idea to move the body. Perhaps we should discus this situation before we call the police-It would be a great deal easier if we could hand over a murder-whoever He or perhaps She(glances at Fiona) really is- when they arrive.

As for going places-perhaps we should go in pairs-letting people run around the apartment free to destroy evidence ect isn't a good idea.

Looks At Bobby-"together-I believe we were"

phoenixx · #62 03-23-2002, 12:28 AM

FIONA:

Ah, so it is Mrs. Chun who was reluctant to call, then, and Pauline who left the party with Rick - perhaps the last to see him alive, or perhaps the last to see who else he was with :: looking archly at Bobby:: - which is it?

hypotenuse · #63 03-23-2002, 06:32 AM

This is wonderful!

Lynne scoots to the edge of her seat waiting for further developments...