LP: TCB Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Dr. Strangelove

Wha..? What was all that about? Were they really going to...?
Ahahahahahahaha!
...oh..



Just...need to distance myself from...them.



Was that Jeeves?




Sir? Sir!
W-W-What? What is it?



What kind?
Tea, sir.
Hmm, Henri run out of the hard stuff yet?
There's cognac in the parlor, sir, but the master thought it prudent to conserve our stores given the Prohibition.
I'll get my own drink later, in that case.
Very well, sir.



Ah, excuse me, Jeeves. Could I have a cup?
Certainly, miss. You are a guest.



Ahh, I needed that. Thank you.
Glad to be of service. If you'll excuse me.



So, ah, hello again.
…
Hello?



Ah! O-Oh, well, hello there. Don't you look...refreshing.
Uh..I guess? Sorry if I startled you.
Oh, no bother. I was just thinking about...some things. Must have gotten lost in thought, but I can always make time for such a...healthy young lady like yourself.
Well, I'm not sure I ever introduced myself at dinner. I'm Laura Bow.
I remember, Lillian's friend. Not often Henri has people in here who aren't related or hired.
From what I've gathered, he doesn't have people in here very often in general.
Ha! That's true enough. I probably know him better than anyone here and I can tell you that what that man likes most is being left alone. The only people he keeps here are the cook, the maid, and the butler.
So are you...a brother?
Me? Hwoohwoo, no. I'm just the doctor. Doctor Wilbur C. Feels, to be precise.
And you don't live here too? I would think someone like the Colonel could use a live-in doctor.
Heh, just between you and me, Henri's healthier than most people think. Trust me. That being the case, I work in town and make the trip out here every couple weeks to check up on things.
So do you know most of the family?
I've heard of them more than I know them personally. Your attractive friend shows up here once in a while, her mother too, though not as much from what I've seen and heard. She's usually pretty soused whenever I've seen her.
Who? Lillian?
I wish, tipsy girls are so much...easier to work with. No, I meant her mother. Woman seems like she's working hard to embalm herself, but got stuck at the ethanol part.
Ah, so no one else visits?
None of the family, that I've seen or heard about anyway. Clarence shows up when he's asked for, of course, like for all this will business, since trying to get Henri to meet in the city is an exercise in futility. Beyond that, I've only ever met Gloria - that's the shapely, young blond - and, then, only in professional capacity, sadly. Speaking of which, are you perhaps in need of a physician? I have years of hands-on experience that I could put to use.
No thank you, I'm quite all right. Also, I should probably let you get back to your reading.
I suppose so. Farewell, Ms. Bow. It was a treat to get a look at you. I hope to do so again in the future.
Time will tell, I suppose. Goodbye, Dr. Feels.




A few minutes ago, that kind of barely disguised perverseness would have had me calling him a dirty old man and storming out of the room.



Now? It's just mildly off putting, really. I'm not sure how I feel about that. Well, at least I got some decent information from him. I didn't even need to spy to get it. Just a relatively normal conversation. Feels like I haven't done that in ages.



Speaking of spying, though...



Considering the house I'm in, this feels like much less of a long shot.



Oh, fiddle dee dee. What an absolutely surprisin' turn of ev- actually I should probably hurry, in case Jeeves is still wandering around.




Secret Passage



and pull shut.



I do believe it might be worth the time to see how my least favorite pair of siblings are doing, assuming they're still there.



It would be a shame if I couldn't live up to my title of spy, after all.



and when they found him the next morning he was completely naked and sleeping draped over the statue of the founder's dog.
Ahahaha! Oh, that's beautiful.
Isn't it just? But I have to give up that kind of thing now. Wouldn't do to smear my name with rumors after I went to all the trouble of changing it. People are so touchy about the appearance of impropriety. Oh well, tonight was certainly a good last hurrah. Anyway, where were we before the girl came in?
Somewhere along the lines of “Henri is a complete skinflint and, now that we're in his will, the sooner the old hermit is in the ground, the better.” I believe.
Yes, that does sound about right.
Oh, the things I could do with his dough.



Don't know for sure. Gotta be at least a couple mil.
If he's got that much, then why doesn't he keep this place up better? Half the rooms have cracks in the walls and I half expect the chandelier to crash down with a strong breeze.
Cause he's an old miser, that's why. He doesn't part with a penny more than he has to. I wonder if Fifi's getting any cash from him, though.
I'm sure she's trying, at least. The way he fawns over her when he doesn't think anyone's looking. It's disgusting. She's got him completely wrapped around her finger. And I don't dare spend any more time in my room than I have to. Good lord, the noises I heard yesterday. I'm just glad Mother wasn't with me at the time.



Do? Oh, that's right, we do have a relationship, don't we? Ever since I found a new beau in Hollywood - a director no less, he's such a doll! - I've practically forgotten about Clarence. Of course I'm going to break things off with him. I suppose this weekend is as good a time as any, since we're both here.
You know Clarence won't like it when you break it off. He's a possessive little slimeball. I don't trust him to let things go that easily.
Well, he'll just have to. Oh, but that's right, dahling! Thank you for reminding me. You know that little medical problem I had? I don't trust Wilbur to keep quiet about it. If that got out it would be far worse than a few rumors. It could absolutely ruin my career! I've got to talk with him about it.
You do that, dear sister. I'm going to retire to my room for awhile. Fetch me if you need any...help with your talks. Kiss kiss.
Kiss kiss, dahling.




Interesting. However,...this could be a problem. He's going upstairs, but Jeeves could be in the hallway if he's still delivering drinks. Wilbur is still in the library and Gloria is just sitting there, so the hidden doors can't help this time.



I'll have to risk it. It's better than being stuck here waiting for someone to leave.



Seems clear.



Phew, that could have been uncomfortable for a while, worse if I had been stuck long enough for Lillian to start looking for me.



Anyway, let's see. I've already been to the dining room.



So how about we see what's in here.




Next time: We learn a little more about people and I finally explain what's up with that clock.

Fun Fact: Wilbur C. Feels' name, and some of his personality, is based off the actor W.C. Fields.