She writes murder!

Proof I still do creative writing!! Witchy Biz has just taken a back seat to life recently (and I really want to at least finish a draft of my novel by mid next year) but I decided I wanted to share this small project from a recent show I was a part of.

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Characters and setting are from “Murder in the House of Horrors” by Billy St. John: inspiration came from my role as “Betty Lange” in my troupe’s recent performance of the Pioneer Drama murder mystery.

This was my first role portraying a female, and goodness gracious was it a fun role to fill! I never would have dreamed someone in the audience would accuse my character of the murder (given how much suspicion was thrown at the actual suspects), but it happened at our production! Filling the hotseat at our performance ALMOST made me wish I had been cast as a “proper” suspect, but Betty was certainly a role I was able to deeply resonate with and I’m grateful to have gotten the chance to play her.

Ms. Lange: Although a skilled and respected photographer, she dreams of breaking into writing. So after storming off during intermission after being asked yet again to spell a fairly basic word by her partner while interviewing the audience, she decided to call in some favors and complete some research on the suspects, and subsequently flex her reporter chops.

Or put less mystically-as I was really establishing my character, I had the idea of writing some short tabloid style/sensational “attack” pieces for each of the main suspects based on the events she observed during Act 1 and her “investigative reporting” during intermission.

So who done it? Well, find a local troupe putting on the show and find out! But if you want a glimpse of the suspects and their potential motivations for murder, read on!

Cold Companion or Cold Blooded Killer?

Professor Carlton’s Spendthrift Widow: Frances Carlton

By: Roswald Spears Shum

Did Frances Carlton’s jealousy bring an icy chill to her hot temper? Perhaps. Or perhaps her love of money outweighed any thoughts of decency. A life insurance policy on her deceased husband lists only her as a beneficiary and, despite this reporter’s efforts calling in every possible favor, the cash value of the policy seems to be a mystery to everyone. Everyone except for Mrs. Carlton and her late spouse, of course.

Her reckless spending at local malls is well known, her obsession with designer brands undeniable. Clearly, no love had been lost, so perhaps she acted to save what she truly cared about. With a divorce settlement looming, the numbers all but finalized, could she have compared the settlement to the life insurance and chosen the greater of the two sums?

Curator Gone Crazy?

Behind Dr. Johann Vanderveer’s Vacant Veener

By: Lessard Upshaw Orms

Al-Capone presented himself to the public as a gracious host, providing entertainment and services to his communities, yet behind the scenes he was the embodiment of the word ruthless. Who is Dr. Vanderveer when the public isn’t watching? Or rather, who could he become in a temporary blackout? It only takes a few minutes with Professor Carlton and Dr. Vanderveer in the same room to make clear that the doctor merely tolerated the professor’s presence. Could the events of November 8th be a carefully scripted plot to remove and replace the Professor with someone less exhausting?

His praise for Ms. Newman began early; his defence for Elivra and Jane was unnerving. Was he the architect of a grand archeological assassination? Or was he simply thrust into a situation where his control had vanished and he needed to aggressively rein in the chaos lest his museum, or perhaps more importantly, his reputation, be left to ruin?

Eager Assistant or Able Assassin?

Professor Carlton’s Lieutenant: Elena Newman

By: Adolphus Warms Ress

Ms. Newman is a new yet formidable face in the field. Since joining Professor Carlton she has quickly proven herself an accomplished archeologist, most especially on their most recent excursion to excavate Menkaura’s Tomb. Her skills and knowledge proved invaluable in both the discovery and recovery of many priceless items now on display within The Hamilton Museum. It begs the question: Was she really in love with Dirk Carlton, or was she in love with the opportunities he provided?

Female archeologists continue to make significant and growing contributions to the science and art communities. Yet it is an undeniable fact that expeditions in receipt of near limitless funding and publicity are invariably led by men with recognizable names, not necessarily knowledge. Could Professor Carlton’s murder be just her way out from under his shadow, or will a truly broken heart propel her in her quest for recognition?

Funding Grand Expeditions or Grusome Executions?

Lurenda Westbrook: Wealthy Donor or Woman Deluded?

By: Osswald Shamus Perr

The modern-day Midas, Mrs. Westbrook is living proof that money can’t buy decency. Obsessed with appearances, she tries to manipulate with money. When that endeavor inevitably fails, she unleashes her attack dog Elvira Gray to make messes disappear. When she entered The Hamilton Museum tonight, she seemed like a woman on a mission. Was that the preservation of her image or the murder of one beneath her for the acquisition of a lifetime

It is no secret that Mrs. Westbrook is a lover and collector of many rare and strange antiquities. After all, some of the items within The Hamilton were donated from her personal collection, and this reporter has heard rumors of the contents of her private collection. Paintings long thought lost or destroyed, looted from war-torn countries, statues, carvings, and even some ruins of deep cultural significance, all buried deep away where no one would ever find them. Will the Eye of Uadjit soon join her assortment of oddities? We may never know.

Prestigious Prosecutor or Financied Fixer?

Vexatious Litigant Elvira Gray’s True Motivations

By: Aldus Worsham Press

Before forming Gray, Green, Black and White, Elvira Gray made her presence known in every courtroom she entered with her haughty and boisterous style. Her bombastic arguments and aggressive litigation made her many friends- and enemies- within and surrounding the court system. After a no-nonsense judge threatened to classify her as a vexatious litigant, some of her closest allies came together to structure what would go on to become one of the city’s most prestigious law firms.

Attempts to dig into some of the shadows and inconsistencies of her past were met with a cease and desist notice on the firm’s letterhead. Despite this reporter investigating under an alias and exercising extreme caution to avoid any direct ties or contacts with the firm, it appears her network of allies is as large as ever. While she may not personally be capable of murder, the same could not be said for her shadowy network of unknown associates.

Emissary or Egotistical Egyptian?

Behind the threats of Gahiji Amun

By: Pearl Shamus Swords

A stranger in a strange land or a hunter closing in on their prey? Gahiji Amun could well be both. Records show he only recently entered the country after accepting a position with the Egyptian Embassy. Accompanied by his sister, Isis, both are shrouded in as much mystery as their family name might have suggested. When this reporter contacted the Embassy, a source that requested to remain anonymous confirmed Gahiji Amun’s status as an aide, but quickly deflected any further questions regarding his responsibilities with or any protections provided by the embassy

Aggressive in nature and clearly proud of his heritage, one cannot help but wonder if Mr. Amun came to The Hamilton Museum for one reason alone: To reverse what he viewed as the irresponsible act of corrupt bureaucrats. Did he truly bring his gun for protection or as intended deflection knowing another weapon of oppurtunity could be procured to assassinate the professor? Did his sister commit the act while he plays smokescreen? Or does the plot run even deeper with the Egyptian government setting the stage for aggressive reclamation of all of their national treasures scattered around the globe?

Mysterious Goddess of Magick or Murderess?

The Investigation of Isis Amun

By: Dumas Walsh Prosser

Who is Isis Amun? This reporter genuinely could not tell you, as she is either utilizing a nom de plume or all information surrounding her is incredibly well-protected. While the investigative reporter in me would lean towards a pseudonym, the observer in me is convinced she is protected more than any embassy associate globally. Which begs the question… Why?

Her brother Gahiji Amun clearly ensures her physical protection in addition to leading the communications on their behalf. Is that the reason there is no trace of her existence outside of a representative of the Egyptian Embassy, who requested anonymity, confirming she and her brother are indeed aides? Who is she really? What are her and her brother hiding? Did the Embassy provide an alias and cover? Or is she the champion of the Goddess of Magick, unleashing the god’s wrath on The Hamilton Museum?

Anagrams are fun-just like pseudonyms 😉

Stay Magickal