Mercy Manor

You stand outside a large mansion, dressed in your finest evening clothes. The rain is coming down steadily as the sun disappears behind the trees, the only light coming from the mansion's lights. In your hand is an invite to Dr. Steven Mercy's dinner party. [[Ring the doorbell]] [[Turn over the invite]]

The door opens and the butler answers the door. "Good evening," he says in a tight voice. "Welcome to the Mercy Manor. Please, come in. You are the last guest to arrive." You step inside and when he asks for your coat, you give it to him. "Come this way," he says. You follow him down the hall into the sitting room where five other people mingle. "The last guest has arrived sir," the butler says as he walks into the room. A man looks up, which you identify as your friend Steven. [[Go talk to Steven]] [[Stand there awkwardly]]

You walk over to Steven who gives you a firm handshake. He's dressed in a tux, the golden cufflinks catching your eye. He shaved his beard off since you last saw him, leaving a thick blonde mustache. "So glad you could make it, old friend!" he says. "Let me tell you who's here so you don't feel like you don't know anyone. "Over there is Madame Moreau," he says, pointing to a round woman in a form fitting evening gown who is talking animatedly. "She's our city's most well known opera singer and actress. Talking to her is our council's very own Mr. Lotfi." He points to the tall Middle Eastern gentleman next the woman. "On the other side of the room is Mr. and Mrs. Kelley, but I don't know if I recommend approaching them currently," he says, gesturing to the other pair who seem to be whispering back and forth furiously. "They seem to be having a small lovers' spat. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to make sure my chef is on track for the food this evening! Please, enjoy the party. Refreshments are on the table." Steven leaves the room. [[Go to Madame Moreau and Mr. Lotfi]] [[Go to Mr. and Mrs. Kelley]]

Steven walks over to you. He's dressed in a tux, the golden cufflinks catching your eye. He shaved his beard off since you last saw him, leaving a thick blonde mustache. "So glad you could make it, old friend! Don't look so frightened, it's going to be a fun night, I promise," he says. "Let me tell you who's here." "Over there is Madame Moreau," he says, pointing to a round woman in a form fitting evening gown who is talking animatedly. "She's our city's most well known opera singer and actress. Talking to her is our council's very own Mr. Lotfi. "On the other side of the room is Mr. and Mrs. Kelley, but I don't know if I recommend approaching them currently," he says, gesturing to the other pair who seem to be whispering back and forth furiously. "They seem to be having a small lovers' spat. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to make sure my chef is on track for the food this evening! Please, enjoy the party. Don't be afraid to talk to the others, you'll love them, I promise. Refreshments are on the table." Steven leaves the room. [[Go to Madame Moreau and Mr. Lotfi]] [[Go to Mr. and Mrs. Kelley]]

You walk over to Madame Moreau and Mr. Lotfi. They greet you with excitement. Mr. Lotfi starts telling you about plans for the city. "We're building a brand new luxury apartments off of Broad Street!" he says excitedly. "They council has yet to vote on it, but I'm sure they'll see sense. And if I can get Mr. Kelley on my side, they'll all say yes for sure! It'll bring in new people who can afford them and bring an influx of business and traffic into our city." "Oh, but isn't that the location of the city park?" Madame Moreau says, her eyebrows furrowing in concern. "Yes, but that park is costing us thousands just in upkeep," Mr. Lotfi replies. [["Sounds like a good idea!"]] [["Wasn't that park supposed to promote environmentalism?"]]

You go to the couple whispering furiously. They look up when you approach them and they stop talking. You give them a greeting. Mrs. Kelley looks at you uncomfortably, but Mr. Kelley extends his hand and you shake it. "It's very nice to meet you," Mr. Kelley says. "This is my lovely wife, Anna." Mrs. Kelley mutters something under her breath, but you aren't able to catch it. "Can we not do this now, darling?" Mr. Kelley asks his wife, glancing nervously at you. "You always say that, Justin, and we never get to anything, not even at home," Mrs. Kelley says angrily. [[Leave them be.]] [["Is everything okay?"]]

Mr. Lotfi nods. "Thank you!" Madame Moreau doesn't look so pleased. "Why is everyone against nature and the arts in this city?" Behind you, you hear a woman scream. You and your conversation partners turn around and see Mrs. Kelley gasping, staring down at her chest that is now damp with whatever Mr. Kelley had in his glass. "I can't believe you!" she yells. Then she storms out of the room [[Talk to Mr. Kelley.]] [[Follow Mrs. Kelley.]]

Madame Moreau frowns. "I agree. It was, and it seems wrong to turn our backs on that." Mr. Lotfi hesitates. "Well, yes, its purpose was originally to preserve greener aspects of the city, but it's turned out to be a bit of a waste." "Saving the environment is never a waste, Mr. Lotfi," Madame Moreau says adamantly. "And while you're at it, Mr. Lotfi, you should make sure to preserve the theatre instead of allowing people to tear it down." Mr. Lofti hesitates. "You know that's not up to me; that's Mr. Kelley's business." Behind you, you hear a woman scream. You and your conversation partners turn around and see Mrs. Kelley gasping, staring down at her chest that is now damp with whatever Mr. Kelley had in his glass. "I can't believe you!" she yells. Then she storms out of the room. [[Talk to Mr. Kelley.]] [[Follow Mrs. Kelley.]]

You sit down at the dinner table with the rest of the guests. Mrs. Kelley is notably absent. The first course comes out and the guests start talking with each other. At the end of the first course, Mrs. Kelley comes back. There is still a stain where the drink was, but it's less noticable now. "How is your private eye business?" Steven asks you. "Is everything going okay?" "Oh, you're a private eye?" Madame Moreau asks, perking up from her food. You nod and start talking about some of your more interesting cases and how it's been a difficult business to start up. You're halfway through a sentence when the lights start to flicker before completely going out. "Please stay calm everyone." Steven's voice cuts through the darkness. "It'll be back on in a moment." As if hearing his words, the lights come back on. "See?" The dinner continues on, though a bit strained. Just as desserts come out, Mr. Kelley collapses. [[Rush over to him.]]

You follow Mrs. Kelley down a hallway, calling her name. She finally stops and turns to you. "I just don't understand. We had such a great relationship and now look at it!" You can tell that she's trying very hard not to cry. "I don't understand. I could care less about the money he's made and how well off we are. I just want to not fight and instead laugh with him like we used to. I want my Justin back. I know he's in there somewhere." You grab a tissue that you keep for emergencies and give it to her. "Thank you," she says. "Come on, let's go back to the party." [[Head back with her.]]

You leave the two squabbling people and go over to Madame Moreau and Mr. Lotfi. "What do you think about theatre?" Madame Moreau asks you, but she keeps talking before hearing your answer. "Mr. Lotfi and Mr. Kelley think of it as the lowest thing a human can do." "Now that's not true," Mr. Lofti protests. "Just because I think that our city needs more housing more than it needs a park doesn't mean that I think art should be gotten rid of. The real issue you have is with Mr. Kelley." You are about to ask why when Mrs. Kelley lets out a scream. You turn around and see Mrs. Kelley gasping, staring down at her chest that is now damp with whatever Mr. Kelley had in his glass. "I can't believe you!" she yells. Then she storms out of the room just as Steven comes back in. "Oh my..." he says, watching her walk away. He clear his throat and turns his attention back to the other guests. "Dinner is ready." [[To dinner.]] [[Follow Mrs. Kelley.]]

Mr. Kelley lets out an exasperated sigh. "Yes, everything is fine. Just a little squabble." Mrs. Kelley shoots her husband a glare. "You //would// say that." She turns to address you. "No, everything is not okay, but I would hate to interrupt such a lovely dinner party when everyone //else// has done nothing wrong." She takes a sip of her drink. "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to find a restroom." "I wish you didn't do that," Mr. Kelley says. [["I felt like I had to do something."]] [["I'm sorry, it was none of my business."]]

"It was clearly none of your business," Mr. Kelley snaps, raising his voice. The conversation in the room stops momentarily as the two other guests look at you and Mr. Kelley with concern. Mr. Kelley lowers his voice. "I think you should stick to what you know. I am a powerful man. I don't think you want to make an enemy of me." Madame Moreau comes over with Mr. Lotfi trailing her from a safe distance. "Mr. Kelley, please, it's okay if you're having difficulties and sometimes we need an outside perspective-" "With all due respect," Mr. Kelley says, cutting her off. "now is not the time for such things and I don't need anyone's advice on how to maneuver in my marriage, let alone advice from an artist." Madame Moreau clenches her jaw. "There's nothing wrong with being an artist, Mr. Kelley. And art and theatre is important, but I guess you wouldn't know that since you insist on destroying it." "I can't wait to buy and bulldoze that run-down theatre of yours. Maybe then you'll find a //real// career," Mr. Kelley replies coldly. Just then Steven walks back into the room. He clears his throat. "Dinner is ready," he says cheerily, as though sensing the tension in the room and attempting to overcompensate. [[Go to dinner.]]

"That it wasn't," Mr. Kelley replies crossly. "But thank you for your apology. My wife can be overdramatic sometimes. She exaggerates a great deal. My business keeps me busy. I'm sure you've noticed my name around town?" You nod in the affirmative. "It took years of hard work to become one of the biggest businesses in town, right next to Dr. Mercy, of course," he says. "I wish she could see that it's for her best interest and the interest of our future kids- if we ever have any." Steven comes back in the room, annoucing his prescence by clinking a fork against his glass. "Dinner is served!" [[Go to dinner.]]

You sit down at the dinner table with the rest of the guests. Mrs. Kelley is notably absent. The first course comes out and Steven tries to get the conversation going again, but no one seems to be in the mood to talk. Halfway through the first course, Mrs. Kelley comes back. "What about your private eye business?" Steven asks you. "Is everything going okay?" You nod and start talking about some of your more interesting cases and how it's been a difficult business to start up. You're halfway through a sentence when the lights start to flicker before completely going out. "Please stay calm everyone." Steven's voice cuts through the darkness. "It'll be back on in a moment." As if hearing his words, the lights come back on. "See?" The dinner continues on, though a bit strained. Just as desserts come out, Mr. Kelley collapses. [[Rush over to him.]]

The others are halfway through the first course when you come back with Mrs. Kelley. You sit down at the dinner table at your place. Mrs. Kelley takes her seat next to her husband, giving you a small smile. The wet spot on her shirt has faded so it's less noticable. "Everything okay?" Steven asks, looking between you two. "Yes," Mrs. Kelley says. Steven turns to look at you. "It's been so long since we've caught up. How is your private eye business? Is everything going okay?" "Oh, you're a private eye?" Madame Moreau asks, perking up from her food. You nod and start talking about some of your more interesting cases and how it's been a difficult business to start up. You're halfway through a sentence when the lights start to flicker before completely going out. "Please stay calm everyone." Steven's voice cuts through the darkness. "It'll be back on in a moment." As if hearing his words, the lights come back on. "See?" The dinner continues on, though a bit strained. Just as desserts come out, Mr. Kelley collapses. [[Rush over to him.]]

You rush over to Mr. Kelley along with the other guests. He's convulsing and no one seems to know what to do, not even you. Just as suddenly as it starts, it stops. "Is he okay?" Mr. Lotfi asks nervously. "Oh my gosh, is he dead?" Madame Moreau asks. Steven checks for a pulse, but he shakes his head when he finds none. Mrs. Kelley starts sobbing. Steven looks at Mrs. Kelley with sympathy. "Did he have any heart trouble?" "N-no, not that I know of," Mrs. Kelley says. "He is... was perfectly healthy." "We should move him," Steven says. "Mr. Lotfi, help me please." They move him out of the room, with Mrs. Kelley and Madame Moreau following them. You look at the table. [[Inspect Mr. Kelley's food.]] [[Inspect Mr. Kelley's glass.]]

You look at his food, turning it over, but there doesn't seem to be anything odd about it. [[Inspect Mr. Kelley's glass.]]

You inspect his glass. Sniffing it, you detect something sour, something that you didn't detect in your own glass. <span style="color: purple;"> (text-style: "emboss")[Poison.]</span> [[Head out to the living room to tell them what you've found.]]

You come out to the living room. The deceased Mr. Kelley is on the floor covered by a blanket. Steven is comforting a distressed Mrs. Kelley. Mr. Lotfi and Madame Moreau don't seem to know what to do with themselves. Everyone looks up when you clear your throat. //"Mr. Kelley was poisoned,"// you say. Mrs. Kelley starts sobbing even harder than before and folds herself into Steven's arms. Madame Moreau covers her mouth. Mr. Lotfi puts a hand over his heart. "Are you sure?" Steven asks. You nod and tell them what you found. "It must have been while the lights were out," Mr. Lotfi muses sadly. "It's just like Shakespeare," Madame Moreau murmers. Suddenly, Mrs. Kelley stops sobbing. In a nasally voice she says, "Wait, if it was poison, then that means one of us did it." Steven looks at you. "It looks like you have a case. What do we do?" [[I want to speak to everyone alone.]] [[I already know who did it.]]

Steven nods. "It sounds like a plan. Who do you want to talk to first?" [[You.]] [[Mrs. Kelley.]] [[Madame Moreau.]] [[Mr. Lotfi.]]

Steven's eyes widen. "Really? Who?" The room's attention is on you. [[It was you, Steven.]] [[It was Mrs. Kelley.]] [[It was Madame Moreau.]] [[It was Mr. Lotfi.]]

Steven furrows his brow. "Me?" You nod. //"We have to hold him until the police come."// Mrs. Kelley moves away from him. "I can't believe you. You invite us here for dinner and then you murder my husband!" Mr. Lotfi holds him down. Steven doesn't struggle; he's still in shock. Madame Moreau has an odd expression on her face. "I just can't believe it." "I didn't do this!" Steven protests. [[A dinner party gone awry has come to end.]]

"Me?" Mrs. Kelley looks shocked. "No, no, no, no. No. I can't believe you're even saying this to me right now." //"You have the best motive. You killed him for his money. A man like that has a fortune, his business, and probably an insurance policy."// Mrs. Kelley shakes her head, muttering the word "no" over and over again, as if this was all just a dream. [[A dinner party gone awry has come to end.]]

Madame Moreau puts a hand on her heart in surprise. "Me?" She shakes her head. "It wasn't me, I swear." "Wait, wasn't my husband going to tear down your theatre?" Mrs. Kelley says, the situation slowly dawning on her. Madame Moreau stiffens. "This is ridiculous. I'm not a murderer." //"You poisoned Mr. Kelley so he wouldn't tear down your theatre and destroy your career and livelihood."// "Fine, I did it." Madame Moreau's voice shakes. "Is that what you want to hear? You got me." Steven has to hold Mrs. Kelley back from jumping the woman who killed her husband. //"You're going away for a very long time."// Another case closed. You're certain of it. ==> ''End.'' [[Credits]]

Mr. Lotfi's eyes widen. "Me? No! I told you, I didn't do this!" Madame Moreau shrugs. "What the P.I. says goes. I trust one of them much more than a politician, no offense." Mrs. Kelley shakes her head. "I-I have to leave." Steven runs out after her. You watch the politician until the police come. [[A dinner party gone awry has come to end.]]

"Surely you know I didn't do it, right?" Steven asks. "I have no reason to kill Mr. Kelley. He was a very dear friend to me." //"Aren't you business rivals?"// "Yes, but how does this help me?" //"You can take over his business spaces now that he's gone."// "This is ridiculous," Steven replies. "You've known me for over fifteen years and you think I would commit a murder? You know that's not me." [[Talk to Mrs. Kelley next ->Mrs. Kelley.]] [[Talk to Madame Moreau next ->Madame Moreau.]] [[Talk to Mr. Lotfi next. ->Mr. Lotfi.]] [["I have everything I need. I know who did it."]]

"He was my husband. I didn't want him dead," she says inbetween sniffles. "We fought a lot, but I loved him. I really did. I loved him. What's my motive? You see me crying. Go on, tell me what my motive was." //"Money."// She laughs darkly. "That's rich, pardon the pun." She reaches for another tissue. "I don't know what to tell you besides I didn't do it. You have to believe me." [[Talk to Steven next. -> You.]] [[Talk to Madame Moreau next ->Madame Moreau.]] [[Talk to Mr. Lotfi next. ->Mr. Lotfi.]] [["I have everything I need. I know who did it."]]

"I didn't do it," Madame Moreau says. "I know I'm an actress and I do terrible things onstage, but I could never do this to an actual person." She shakes her head. "This is cruel." She puts a lock of out-of-place hair behind her ear. "Besides, I have no motive to kill him. He was a nice man who never did anything to me." //"Really?"// "Okay, so he could be a bit prickly at times, but everyone can be grumpy. That's no reason to kill someone." [[Talk to Steven next -> You.]] [[Talk to Mrs. Kelley next ->Mrs. Kelley.]] [[Talk to Mr. Lotfi next. ->Mr. Lotfi.]] [["I have everything I need. I know who did it."]]

"I don't know what everyone else is saying, but I didn't do it," Mr. Lotfi says. His voice shakes. "I mean, what would that look like for my ratings? I can see the headlines now: 'Councilman Murders Important Bussinessman.' Yeah, that would be great for my image." He shakes his head. "I didn't do it. Murder is political suicide." //"Wouldn't it help you if he were gone?"// "That's a leading question, I'm ashamed at you," Mr. Lotfi says. "The only thing his death means for me is that I no longer have to worry about him supporting me for my reelection. Does that sound like a murder-worthy motive to you?" [[Talk to Steven next -> You.]] [[Talk to Mrs. Kelley next ->Mrs. Kelley.]] [[Talk to Madame Moreau next ->Madame Moreau.]] [["I have everything I need. I know who did it."]]

You gather everyone in the living room and annouce that you have come to a conclusion. [[Steven did it. ->It was you, Steven.]] [[It was Mr. Lotfi.]] [[It was Madame Moreau.]] [[It was Mrs. Kelley.]]

The police comes and takes the culprit away. You have this strange feeling that you didn't make the right choice. ==> ''End.'' [[Credits]]

"That was nothing," Mr. Kelley says when he sees your questioning look. "She's just overdramatic. I ran into her and accidentally spilled my drink. She'll tell you that I did it on purpose, but that's simply not true." [["Are you two okay?"]] [["It's really none of my business."]]

"It's clearly none of your business," Mr. Kelley snaps, raising his voice. The conversation in the room stops momentarily as the two other guests look at you and Mr. Kelley with concern. Mr. Kelley lowers his voice. "I think you should stick to what you know. I am a powerful man. I don't think you want to make an enemy of me." Madame Moreau comes over with Mr. Lotfi trailing her from a safe distance. "Mr. Kelley, please, it's okay if you're having difficulties and sometimes we need an outside perspective-" "With all due respect," Mr. Kelley says, cutting her off. "now is not the time for such things and I don't need anyone's advice on how to maneuver in my marriage, let alone advice from an artist." Madame Moreau clenches her jaw. "There's nothing wrong with being an artist, Mr. Kelley. And art and theatre is important, but I guess you wouldn't know that since you insist on destroying it." "I can't wait to buy and bulldoze that run-down theatre of yours. Maybe then you'll find a //real// career," Mr. Kelley replies coldly. Just then Steven walks back into the room. He clears his throat. "Dinner is ready," he says cheerily, as though sensing the tension in the room and attempting to overcompensate. [[Go to dinner.]]

"I like people who know what clearly is and isn't their business," Mr. Kelley says with a smile. "I don't think we've been properly introduced. I'm Justin Kelley, owner of Kelley Coporations." //"Impressive,"// you say. Mr. Kelley puffs up his chest with obvious pride. "It took years of hard work to become one of the biggest businesses in town, right next to Dr. Mercy, of course," he says. "But being rivals never stopped us from being good freinds." Steven comes back in the room, annoucing his prescence by clinking a fork against his glass. "Dinner is served!" [[Go to dinner.]]

''Credits'' Made on Twine Story by Samantha Blumberg

You turn over the invite, revealing a note from Steven. //(font: 'Courier New')[Old friend, I'm so glad that you're back in town! I hope your private eye endeavor is doing well. It's been so long since we've had a chance to catch up. I still remember our days at Brown University. I'm hosting a small dinner party. It would be nice to see you there. Please do come. - Steven]// [[Ring the doorbell]]