This is a transcript of the PBeM game that I am currently running. Its title is a Slip in Time, from the Palladium supplement, Boxed Nightmares for their Beyond the Supernatural line. I am running it in Nightspawn with a group of all human characters. It's progressing, just very slowly...



This game takes place starting on May 3rd, 2001.

You are all seated around a circular confrence table in the meeting room on the top floor of the Clevland, Ohio office building which houses the After Midnight News Agency, one of the nation's most flamboyant and sensationalistic tabloids. You all divide your time between drinking the complimentary beverages and eyeing each other with minimal curiousity. Five minutes pass, then ten. Clouds gather outside the panoramic winows and you hear thunder gather in the distance. Another ten minutes pass and each of you are starting to get anxious when the confrence room double doors swing open and a large jovial man with grey hair and wild eyes saunters in and sits in one of the chairs. You recognize him as Mr. Gnatison, millionaire, CEO, and owner of the newpaper.

"Gentleman! And lady. Welcome welcome welcome! Sorry for being late in getting here but you know how it is with those damn waiters at TGI Fridays. Ask for your check and you get more water! I wasn't even thirsty! The nerve of those people. It's like they don't want your money. Am I right? And where do you think they get all those crazy anitques to put on their walls? From the customers money, that's right. Do have some delightful crab cakes though. Lord, if I had a dollar for every crab cake I ate there I'd be a millioaire. Put a little honey mustard sauce on those things. I'd bet you double or nothing that is what they eat in heaven. Pearly gates are probably made out of assorted deep fried sea food. Well look at the time!"

Mr. Gnatison gets up from his chair and rushes to the door, "Where does it go people? Be late for my raquetball lesson if I don't hurry. Henrik will be in soon to extrapolate on the job further. Till then it's all summed up in that latest edition of After Midnight on the table. I know you three are just the ones I need to get me this story. Good luck and buenas tardes."

With curiousity one of you gets up and examines the paper's front page and notices an article circled in red ink. There happens to be three copies so each of you now has one. The article reads...

Jack the Ripper Captured by British Bobby!
by Ann Appleton

An alert Bobby saved a lady of the night from the assault of a madman who claims to be Jack the Ripper.

"The man is obviously off his rocker," reported one witness. "He couldn't be more than forty. The Ripper would have to be a hundred and forty. But this poor chap kept screaming and howling that he was the Ripper and had work to finish."

Witnesses say that the man was dressed in turn of the century clothes, carried a cane and a doctor's bag filled with period surgical equipment. "Took six men to drag him down. Fought like a demon," said one.

All attempts to identify the man have failed. Police have placed the 40 year old under guard in an institution for observation and mental examination. Rumors have it that a psychic will be called in to help identify the Jack Doe.

As you each ponder this information for a few mintues the doors open again and Henrik Kross, publisher of the paper stalks over and sits down. He is a tall blond man of Germanic origin.

"I take it Mr. Gnatision explained everything to you," he says with a sneer. "No? Well then. In a nutshell the paper is flying you three to London to investigate this outlandish "Jack" fellow, interview him, take some pictures and get back here so we can publish it and send it out in next week's edition so the cattle like masses can get their daily dose of malarky. Allow me to introduce each of you so you'll work that much better as a team, hmmkay?"

Pointing to one man dressed in a large trenchcoat, "Jimmy Raven, he's our freelance investigator with an idiotic interest in the mystical. He also writes our News in Wrestling column. Jimmy just get some good and nutty quotes out of this fruicake story and I'll be happy." (Played by Max.)

Points to the woman at the table, "Dr. Jennifer Hu, she's our resident scientist who can come up with any necessary "facts" to back up the legitimacy of our tabloid. Hu you may have to stretch some of your theories to cover this clown." (Played by Erik)

Finally he points to the second man, "I forget your name fella but you're the camera man for this assignment. Mr. Gnatison says that you also claimed to him you have some sort of B.S. psychic powers. Just get some good pictures and I'll be happy." (Played by Aaron.)

"Payment is the standard fees. Any requests for extra equipment, within *reason*, might be fulfilled. Paper'll pay for the tickets and hotel board. Now any questions, comments, or Nostrodamus predictions before you go?"

One of the men at the table speaks up, "My name, sir, is Jack Beowulf {inspired by our english setting}. I got my bags packed. so let's go. and hey, we'll just pack our guns in our suitcases and declare'em. That way it's nice and legal. and hey, Mr. aryan...do we have any contacts in london?"

Henrik glares at Jack before replying, "I'm gonna let that one slide Beowulf simply because we need a camerman on this story and I can't afford to fire your ass at the moment. Next time you might not be so lucky. As for your question, yes you will have a contact at least for a little while. Ann Appleton, the author of the article, is currently staying at the Five Seasons hotel where you three will be staying. She's only there for a day or two before heading off to the Black Forest of Germany. I'd suggest making good use of her knowledge before she leaves.

"As for any guns you wish to take, yes you are correct about declaring them here in the states. Over in merry ol' England it's a different story. We might be able to get you some temporary permit. You'll find out when your plane sets down. If not then you'll just have to leave em which isn't necessarily a bad thing. This assignment doesn't sound too hard now does it folks?

"If that's it, one of the company vans is waiting outside with your stuff all ready to go. Any last minute questions?

"No questions here, sir. [looks to the Jack and Jimmy] Let's be on our way, shall we? I don't think think this qualifies as a dangerous assignment. I won't be bringing my handgun for protection," Dr. Hu says as she gets up to leave.

"Then for the several in attendance and the thousands watching from another plane; leeeeeet's get ready to traaaaaavel. Ah now that I have that out of my system I am quite ready." Jimmy starts walking for the door while searching through his pockets.

Henrik hands you each an envelope containing your round trip plane ticket, directions to the Five Seasons hotel, a map of the London area and the name of the man to talk to at the London airport who might be able to sneak those guns of yours (Aaron) into the city. (His name's George McFly)

"And since none of you asked for any specific equipment here's an envelope containing $500 dollars to be used *only* for emergencies. I will give this to," Henrik pauses as he glances back and forth between Jimmy Raven and Dr. Hu. (GM Rolls a die...) "Dr. Hu. I hope you'll use discretion in the use of the paper's petty cash fund."

"Now remember your flight leaves five hours from now at 6 o' clock. That should give you plenty of time to get any things in order before you go. The van is there for those who need it. Do an especially good job on this story and there might be a bonus in it for some of you. Remember your deadline is a week from today (Monday). Good luck."

Jack Beowulf leaves in his Subaru Outback while Dr. Hu and Jimmy Raven take the van. After both vehicles take short stops (Aaron at his apartment, Erik at a locksmith store) you all meet back up at the airport and declare your cargo. etc. etc. etc. You board the plane and soon find yourselves airborne over the ocean.

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