The Tale of HDC Manor
 

It's a little late in October for this, and since I've recently started my A-Levels I have a lot on my plate so I HOPE I'll be able to keep up with this (unlike some previous projects), but as with last year I'm hoping to do a Halloween themed "film" involving YOU.

The theme will be that of an old fashioned murder mystery...

So...who's in?

Of course I'm in!

I volunteer myself for this.

...as a mild-mannered bumbling detective who solves the whodunnit. :cool:

...and here is Mycroft for Sherlock...his mentor!:D:D

Very good, sirs! But come now, there must be some more? Perhaps a few ladies?

I'm game......

If you need a problem child for the plot then please...please...pick me, I get up too all sorts of trouble.:o
http://www.horror.com/forum/picture....&pictureid=640

If you need a lord of the manor who has summoned everyone together for mysterious reasons, I'm in.

I'll be a drunken ex archaeologist who has lost his passion for the job.

This should be enough...I may have to draft in a few of the non volunteers, just to bring the numbers up. It's never too late to ask to be in it though!

I'll be in dude :D

Ferret, you can always use me in your scripts. Permanent permission granted. Make me the good guy, bad guy, cannon fodder, whatever... I don't care. You can use me as a character in any of your stories however you see fit.

And that's why you're my favourite! :p

The inspector with a very suspicious character or kinda weirdo.:)

i believe my contract obligates you to put me in every HDC film - forever!!!!!!

As long as we get to blast your red furry butt with rock salt in the end.

You've read my contract

I have to be the hero

at least one nude scene with one of HDC hottest chicks

If you must kill me the odds have to be something like 10 bad guys against me

and NO red M&Ms in my trailer

Part 1
 

Opening credits roll. Fade to a shot of a long, winding road going through a forest. Rain is pouring down as a lone man runs through it. Thunder roars and a lightning flash illuminates the forest around him. The man himself is wearing a relatively tatty looking brown suit complete with a pork pie hat. His hair is dark and he looks to be in his early forties, however his face is aged with signs of stress and worry. He quickly checks his pocket watch. 7:05. This man is V.

V: Oh damn!

With a flash of lightning, the shot changes to the outside of a large manor house set on top of a hill. It has a tall standing perimeter fence with large iron gates. The letters "H.D.C" are written in large metal letters on the gate. Despite the house's large size an initial impressive appearance, it is showing signs of age. Bricks are crumbling and the garden is growing unkempt. Lights are on inside. V rushes up to the gate where a man wearing a large coat awaits him. He is quite old and very gaunt, like a skeleton. He beckons V closer. This man is Ferretchucker.

He shouts through the rain.

Ferretchucker: Come, come! You are near a quarter of an hour late, sir! May I beg you, tell me your name?

V: V, my name is V. I trust I haven't held up the festivities too much?

Ferretchucker: Not a great deal, no, but the master should be glad to begin. Follow, I shall find you some dry clothes, sir. You cannot present yourself dressed in that soaking apparel!

V: Lead on!

Cut to the hallway of the manor. The walls are varnished wood. Buzzing light bulbs protrude from the wall on copper arms. An impressive staircase stands before the large oak doors. The floor is a black and white tile. Up on the wall is an oil painting of a relatively old looking man looking proud and valiant. He is dressed in armour save for his face. The doors open, V and Ferretchucker spill in. Ferretchucker removes his coat, showing a smart suit. V removes his hat and runs a hand through his short, greying hair.

Ferretchucker: This way, sir.

He beckons V to follow as he walks slowly up the stairs. They continue through a long corridor until they reach the door at the very end.

Ferretchucker: Your clothes are inside...waiting.

V: How did you know I'd need them?

Ferretchucker: See you at dinner. I believe you know where the parlour is. Be there in 5 minutes, ready for the master's arrival.

The scene cuts to a smart looking parlour where people are gathered. Some sit on lounge chairs, two men play billiards whilst a few others watch and some merely stand holding their wine and conversing. One of the men playing billiards accidentally scuffs the table. He has a thick moustache and gold rimmed glasses. He is roughly 60. This is Bwind.

Bwind: Blast!

His opponent, a younger man with slicked back black hair chuckles. This is Return.

Return: Ha! Accept it, old man, you've lost touch since we last met.

Bwind: I shall say no such thing, not now nor ever! You know very well who your superior is, boy!

A younger woman standing by the table pipes up. She is wearing a long red dress and is smoking a cigarette.

Chronogrl: Father, must you embarrass yourself further? Just accept defeat and save what is left of your dignity.

A man nearby rushes over. He speaks as quickly as he talks and appears to live with his eyebrows raised in astonishment.

Amicus: Captain Bwind could never admit defeat with dignity for surely the two ideas juxtapose each other, no? Perhaps he could maintain dignity if he is forced to end the game against his will but then his pride would be damaged by the circumstance in which he must leave. No...no, the captain would most likely accept his situation with valour and even gain glory when he has escaped said situation. Even so...

He drifts off with a glazed over expression in his eye. All three others are looking at him with perplexed gazes.

Return: What an odd young fellow.

Bwind: What is your name, young man, and how do you know so much about me?

Amicus: Amicus, Amicus Horror. I'm a long time admirer of your work in the Afghan, captain!

Chronogrl puts a face in her hands whilst Bwind suddenly puffs up his chest looking very smug.

Chronogrl: Don't get him started, please don't!

Bwind: Whilst my daughter here may not show me the respect I deserve, I'm glad somebody does.

Return: Steady, one moment! Have I not shown you perpetual respect for all of your valiant achievements? Do I not remind you often of my admiration for your bravery?

Bwind: That may be the case, but he does it without mocking my ability at Billia-

They are cut off by some loud laughter from the corner where an old gentleman of around the same age as Bwind is standing with three young women surrounding him. He beams at all of them as they continue to chuckle. The man glances across and sees the annoyed faces of the others. He winks up at them an continues to flirt with the girls.

Opposite them sit several others in large arm chairs. One of them is speaking quickly with clear enthusiasm for the subject. He takes a sip of his drink then continues speaking. This is Flayed, and the others are Zero and Elvis. Zero looks thoroughly bored but Elvis nods politely as Flayed continues to speak.

Flayed: ...and so they say that across in Egypt, these tombs are just being discovered left, right and centre! My old friend Lord Carnarvon is growing very interested.

Elvis: Sounds incredible. I bet you're finding all sorts of things here in England too, though.

Flayed: You would think so...

Before he can continue, one of the men sitting nearby (alone) quickly stands, momentarily checking Flayed. The man walks briskly towards the door where V has just entered. The man is a few years older than V but beams as he walks towards him, smoking from his pipe. This man is Roshiq.

Roshiq: V! Thank the heavens you are here! I was beginning to fear I would have to spend all weekend with these insufferable buffoons.

V: Who are they? And for that matter, why are we here?

Roshiq: Various aristocratic fools, friends of the Lord I would imagine. As for why we're here, I've yet to find out. I assume you were sent the same letter as everybody else.

V: If that letter essentially just told you to be here today at 7:00, then yes. Details were scarce.

Roshiq: Well, the Lord hasn't ever been one to put effort in for no reason, has he?

V: Honestly, the only two people in the room with a brain and yet we can't do our job and detect what's going on! Ironic, eh?

Roshiq: You just speak for yourself, V. Don't forget, you learned from the best, but you didn't learn it all!

V cocks a smile, just as Ferretchucker walks in and opens the door, ringing a small bell.

Ferretchucker: Follow me to the Dining Room, please...

All the people in the room cease what they're doing and follow. Some of them exchange a few words about the butler's dull demeanour. They walk in to the grand dining room. There is a long table running the length of the room and sitting at the end is a man slightly older than Bwind and Newb, smiling up at them. This is Doc Faustus.

Doc Faustus: Good evening, friends. Welcome to what I can assure you, will be a good night.

Ending credits roll.

awww man the movie started? I just wanted to volunteer. if im in just call me zack.

Like I said, NEVER too late to volunteer. I'll write you in (hence why I mentioned some characters but didn't formally introduce them ;)

Very cool part one. If you need any more cast members count me in. I love old fashioned murder mysteries.

Thanks ferret! This will be the first event that ill be in since I joined the horror forums.

I want to be the one that scans every room I enter immediately for a possible weapon, whether I be the killer or a would-be victim. I also want to wear a flannel!

Oh Ferret...I'm begin to having those old great feeling that's reminding me how crazy I was to read this kinda tensed detective or murder mystery stories in my school days!:)

Anyway, great start...I'm sure it'll be another very interesting & fun creation from FC Universe.

Ditto. What Roshiq said.

Fantastic beginning. I love all the characters!

great beginning FC

but

They walk in to the grand dining room. There is a long table running the length of the room and sitting at the end is a man slightly older than Bwind and Newb, smiling up at them. This is Doc Faustus.

this is the first mention of my character....or did I miss something?

Just awesome.:cool:
http://www.horror.com/forum/picture....&pictureid=647

I wonder who will win best actor....cough...cough.:o

Awesome start, looking forward to the next installment.... Feel free to throw me in there if you need more characters. :cool:

I thought the reference to an old man chatting with young girls in the corner was obvious enough :P

And thanks all of you for being willing participants as well as your glorious feedback! I'll write you ALL in. :) Next episode either tonight or tomorrow.

kinda thought as much.....cept for the "old" part. But hell.....I'm a professional....I can play any role.

But of course, meant totally ironically only.

Part 2
 

Opening credits roll. Cut to the inside of the dining room, and all of the guests are still staring at Doc Faustus. Doc beams up at them, and continues speaking.

Doc: Well don't just stand there catching flies, sit, sit! A wonderful meal has been prepared by the chef. It will be ready soon.

F13F: I won't argue with that; smells brilliant.

He walks over to the chair closest to Doc and sits down.

Doc: What's this? Have I done something to offend you? Is my appearance frightening in some way?

The crowd pass a murmur and slowly make their way to their seats. Doc's face is unnaturally happy, a constant smile fixed onto it as his eyes opened wide as they will go, look from person to person. The people begin chatting, pleasantly. F13F and Doc are talking to a middle aged man who has a long, jagged scar on the left side of his face. This is Sistinas.

Sistinas: Essentially, it's similar to cooking beef they say - tastes like it too.

F13F: I'm sorry, I cannot believe that. Human meat, akin to beef?

Sistinas: It's what they say, I'm simply the messenger. Apparently these tribes will just turn on a fellow member when food is scarce.

Doc: What a fascinating story...Oh, I can smell the food now.

Sistinas: What are we having?

Doc looks up and winks.

Doc: Beef.

Further down the table, Bwind is in a heated discussion with a red headed man (Zero), apparently oblivious to his daughter, Chronogrl's, mocking gestures with her hands imitating him.

Bwind22: You sir, are a total ass! Look to me, look to me now. Do you see fur covering my body? Do you see a banana in my hand and faeces smearing the walls around me? Of course you do not!

Zero: If I squint my eyes, perhaps I can imagine it...

Bwind: I beg your pardon!

Zero: Nothing, nothing. I simply agree that we were once simians. Not anymore, that's silly! But many years ago...perhaps.

Chronogrl: Well, Father, when you pass wind you do smell rather awful...

The Return, who is next to Chrono, let's out a smug laugh at her comment. He returns to conversation with the men opposite him. One is a very young, bearded man in a grey suit (Massacre Man), the other is Elvis Christ.

The Return: Now, run this past me one more time...this night is a, what did you say?

Massacre Man: Festival of sausages.

The Return: I still don't follow. Are you commenting on the German decor?

Elvis: Look around at the people here. What do the majority have in common?

The Return: They're males...

Massacre Man: And what do all men have in common...something similar to a certain pork product?

He pauses for a moment to think.

Return: Well...I get that it's about our superiority but what does that have to do with sausages?

Massacre Man shakes his head, laughing whilst Elvis attempts to explain one more time. Further towards the end of the table, Zack and Horror4Ever (H4E) are sitting next to each other, excitedly telling anecdotes to the two young ladies Newb was flirting with earlier. The girls, Murderdoll and MissMacabre sigh, unimpressed at whatever they're being told. The two men carry on regardless.

H4E: So I'm standing there wearing the most awful scarlet suit with peacock feathers in the hat. The only food in the room is a plum which has been dunked in mustard...

Zack: I walk in with an even worse white and green suit, see H4E standing there and what do you know? The door flies open and in comes Mr. Boddy! He takes one look at us and-

Miss Macabre turns so she is only looking at Murderdoll - the two begin discussing literature. A little further down, Flayed and Newb are attempting conversation with a gaunt faced man with large bags under his eyes and dishevelled hair. This is Phantomstranger.

Flayed: So, whereabouts were you born, Phantom?

PS: My old house...it has been burned down since.

Flayed exchanges an exasperated look with Newb who takes a breath and tries himself.

Newb: What are the women like wherever you live?

PS: They live like any other women.

Flayed: I don't suppose you have any hobbies, do you?

Newb: Flayed here is an archaeologist. It may be his job, but it's something of a hobby.

Flayed gives a half hearted nod.

PS: No, I do not.

At the far end of the table are Roshiq and V, sitting silently. They look around the room, taking in their surroundings fully. Their eyes dart from person to person as though they're not only reading the lips but reading the very soul itself. V momentarily glances at something up by the window, however he is distracted by Roshiq's inhalation as though he is about to speak. He is interrupted, however, by the side door to the dining room crashing open. Ferretchucker stands there with a small trolley, several plates on it. He gives a coy smile.

Ferretchucker: Dinner...is served.

Ending credits roll.

one question why the hell would I be talking about Clue?

I'm curious to see where this is going......

I promise not to drop out this time....

You weren't actually talking about playing Clue, merely an anecdote which payed homage to one of the inspirations of this little story. ;)

I keep on wondering, who will be killed? it could be doc fastus, ferretchucker in all his glory, or newb the old ladies man.

And this Lord certainly deserves a feline companion.