S1: What’s so Intriguing about a Missing Person?

May-Day parade	Opposing Political Views
the Communists	the Silver Shirts

Brian: Dr Will Wollen, 31.  The medical profession was his father’s idea although Will never had the passion. Now focused on the occult. Has untranslated book of spells. CR65

Matt: Dr. Peter Venkman, 35, Parapsychologist, Thrill Seeker, Weird Science, Psychic Power (Clairvoyance), Specializes in Psychology and Psychoanalysis, Head of the Parapsychology Department at Columbia researching psychic phenomenon and clairvoyance as part of a Government grant. He also is part of a ghost hunting group. CR25

Angela: Barker D’Amour, Mystic, Psychic Power (Clairvoyance), occultist detective. His tattoos his own protective runes. CR80

Denny: Valentine (Val) is a wealthy explorer and lifelong New Yorker. CR50

Tony: Klaus Winterbourne (American), New Age religion leader whose followers have the trappings of a cult. Mysteriously has a set of 1968 dog-tags. Psychic Power (Telekinesis) CR40

Bill: Father Angelo Vincentini (Italian), 32, tall and lanky although his priestly garments hide his frail-looking frame. Alienist Priest/Mystic known for his work in Exorcisms. Hypnosis and Psychoanalysis to expose the controlling evil. Psychic Power (Medium) to communicate with that evil. Mythos Knowledge to fight and banish the evil. CR30

 9 May, 1935: Report to Archbishop Bonzano, by Father Angelo

Your Grace, I have heard America called the ‘Great Melting Pot’ of the world; however, I’m quickly getting the impression it is a ‘Boiling Cauldron of Discontent’. I left Italy amidst the growing fascism of Mussolini’s Blackshirts only to find New York infested with its own fascist Silver Shirts. As for this Open Mind Society you recommended I join, it too seems to be a mixed bag of political zealots. At least the organizer Mr. Lincoln Bellows has standards such that months ago he banned one member, Leopold Fontanelle, for his radical beliefs and preaching. I’ve learned he is a member of another group called The League of Forgotten Gentleman. A group created by a bishop Prang and father Coughlin who spew anti-Sematic beliefs.

While there were no calls for exorcisms during yesterday’s Open Mind Society meeting, I did meet and join a smaller group. We seemed to bond over the distress of another member whose husband has gone missing. Melody Sterling’s husband Brendon has been absent for a week now. Not only has the dentist cancelled all his appointments these last weeks, he’s emptied their savings account. A fact noted with great disappointment by Peter whose apparent interest was monetary reward. Anyway, I was impressed by Mr. D’Amour’s line of questioning, eliminating thoughts of infidelity and a mistress. 

What we did learn was Brendon left last Thursday on a 3-day camping trip. And he not an outdoors person. Melody expected him back Sunday. His now 5-month treatment under the care of the Hypnotist Ferdinand Argus who is also a member of The League of Forgotten Gentleman. 

It getting late, we retired for the evening, picking back up this morning (9 May) for breakfast before riding the subway to Mrs. Sterling’s house; living quarters above the dentist’s office. Klaus and I hypnotized Melody hoping to uncover little details of Argus’ visits that escaped her memory. Description of his estate address, his grey eyes, forked beard, and haughty attitude while using his amethyst pendant as hypnotic focus. Then Brendon’s brown eyes turning grey while he mumbled some ancient dialect (“Naf kef” that Val recognized as a 6-legged Tibetan yeti, and “Lomar” that remains a mystery). 

Meanwhile, Barker tried to use his Clairvoyant skills to get readings from Melody herself or items around the house. Smelling the sweet aroma of a yellow flower petal inside a coat pocket. His clairvoyant ‘read’ of the flower originating west of the Dental office. Melody remembering the floral scent used by Argus. Meanwhile, Will and Peter checked Brendon’s library and then the Dental office. His blank schedule book confirming cancelled appointments these last weeks. 

Not to be judgmental, but I did learn Klaus likes his drinks. I remember during yesterday’s meeting how he always had a drink in hand tipped to his lips and never let a waiter pass without collecting another full glass in exchange for his empty. Just like his sniffing out the Sterling liquor cabinet. And partaking without invite or offer. Which explains his permanent scent of alcohol as if his own brand of cologne.

Anyway, learning Argus’ address was across the river in Weehawken, New Jersey, Barker directed all of us to his office also in New Jersey where he ordered up a car big enough for the six of us. Then off to the Argus’ estate. Except the man who greeted us was clean-shaven. 

“I’m Percy Langhorn, Mr. Argus’ personal assistant. He’s gone right now but I expect him back soon. In fact, he’s overdue. Can I be of help? Camping? Mr. Argus? Surely you jest.” 

Now forgive me Father, for this is where I was most uncomfortable. With Mr. Argus being Brendon’s last-known-contact, I thought we came to ask if he knew where Brendon might be. Instead, while Barker distracted Percy with interest in the yellow flower grown in the garden out back, the others rummaged thru the house! Peter rifled thru the assistant’s desk confirming Brendon had an appointment Wednesday of last week. And a Mr. Ivy Tinsdale the last appointment Thursday before Mr. Argus cancelled all his remaining May appointments. Meanwhile, Will inspected the session room announcing a portrait of a fork-bearded man with an amethyst pendant around his neck. Val headed for the basement where he apparently found empty whiskey bottles and a bare mattress that recked of body odor. [Is this where Klaus sleeps? ;>)] 

But for all those invasive actions that left me standing dumbfounded in the foyer, Mr. Klaus’ actions were the most appalling.  Once again, he sought out the liquor cabinet. Us only aware when we heard his thud collapse. Us rushing in to find the spilled drink at his feet. A set of dog-tags dangling from his neck. An obvious misprint; probably his dad's Great War relic. Printed as 1968 instead of 1908. Him babbling about being chased by cats in an off-world setting. “There I was, dressed in a robe, standing on a rock orbiting Saturn when I suddenly heard the hiss of 6 large cats with whiskers longer than their own bodies. I used my Telekinesis to boost my jump to the next orbiting rock as the cats closed on me. I even threw my robe to entangle them without success as they closed. I thought I was a goner as they raked their claws across my arms. My last desperate jump (01) toward a door that gave me exit back into this world.” 

No cuts on his arms, a hissing Siamese cat hiding under the desk, and a spilled drink. Evidence Mr. Klaus is a falling-down drunk. Maybe embarrassed when he awoke to find us standing over him and the assistant Percy returning to also witness the scene. Klaus handing him a drink before running out. An awkward exit on our part with some of the members still talking about returning to do more exploring. Forgive me your Grace, but is this what you want me to do? Is a missing husband my true purpose? 

Meanwhile, we closed the evening with dinner before joining the 7:30pm meeting of The League of Forgotten Gentleman Silver Shirts. Another awkward situation for me as I faced the fascist members and their swastika flags and white armbands. Surprise on my part when I saw Klaus actually turn and leave. Leaving all those free drinks being offered inside. What’s that American saying, “The hair of the dog?” I guess the stink of fascism spoils the drink. 

Anyway, Barker engaged in conversation with the door greeter, Mr. Ross Seabrooke, who is apparently this chapter’s president. Barker quickly learned Leopold Fontanelle, who was kicked out of the Open Mind Society, is a member of this organization. And he’s been seen accompanied by Mr. Brendon Sterling. And most surprising: Leopold and Mr. Argus organize the camping trips monthly, “For mysticism commune with nature. Usually 3-4 days each although this last one with 12 participants is unexpectantly longer.” So much for Percy’s scoff at the idea Argus camps; or, is it really a secret even hidden from his assistant? 

Overhearing the conversation, Will looked in the phonebook finding Leopold’s address on Long Island. And with the knowledge these camping trips are regular, Barker walked the crowd innocently touching various members to get a read…the camping is near Saugerties. Near Woodstock. Which Peter recognized, “Hey, that’s where the Slater Institute for Parapsychological Studies is located. I’ve been meaning to visit that place anyway.”

POSTSCRIPT: Father Angelo Vincentini

Born on April 27^th, 1903 in Matla, Italy, Angelo Vincentini was the 6^th of 9 kids in his Catholic family. The 3^rd son with 6 sisters. His two older brothers killed during the Great War. His mother insisting at least one of her boys would became a priest. Besides, with such a frail frame, what else would he be good for? Thus, he spend years as an altar-server at the local church. Assisted the priest on numerous funerals, especially during those early years of the Great War. And the priest took notice…of Angelo’s mumbled one-sided conversations next to the coffins. A schizoid? Yet he always seemed to know specific details of the deceased that none other than their family or fellow soldier would know.

The priest noticed something special about Angelo that he reported to his higher authority. A Psychic Power that allowed him to commune with the dead. Thus, the local Monsignor welcomed Angelo into the priesthood. His theological schooling at none other than the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran in Rome where he was later ordained in 1927. But his studies included more than theological lessons. Cardinal Nicola Canali himself groomed the young acolyte in the darker side of the Catholic religion. Exorcisms. The skill and focus to drive out the devil.

Tomes that spoke of alien presences beyond just the devil. Ancient tomes written in Latin handed down thru the ages. Whose words fractured his psyche and Sanity, while providing him a tool (Mythos Knowledge) to fight and banish the evil. Hypnosis and Psychoanalysis to allow a possessed human to recall suppressed memories. Psychic Power (Medium) to communicate with whatever evil lurked in his soul.  Spontaneous use of his Cthulhu Mythos skill to fight or banish the evil.

Indeed, Angelo was being groomed to join a secret rank of the “Order of the Holy Sepulchre.” An order than can trace its lineage back to the time of the Crusades. Holy Knights. It wasn’t long before Angelo was transferred to St. Michael's Church, New York City under Archbishop Giovanni Bonzano. Who orchestrated his enrollment in the Open Mind Society club. They had heard about his Psychic power and were thrilled to include him in their endeavors to explore the limits of the human mind.

NEXT SESSION: https://rigglecoldfire.blogspot.com/2020/08/s2-news-of-time-traveler-and-means-to.html