Spirited Away - The Game

Edward reacts to the gossip as genuinely as he can to gain the help's trust. He widens his eyes at the mention of poisoning, looking at Henry. "You don't say... " then turns to Elsie Lesser "Well, as they say, nobody knows a Lady better than her personal maid... so if you reckon she was acting strange... you surely are the best judge of that..." he nods to give his words the right respect.

He pauses a moment to adjust the arrangement of crockery on the tray, then slightly leans in towards Elsie and whispers in an intrigued tone, as if curiosity had gotten the best of him, "I heard my share of stories about eccentric mistresses - and my master is second to none in that regard, but... how queer are we talking, here? I hope she did not mistreat you, Miss Lesser, that would be unforgivable... "

Edward
"Oh, this is all so much nonsense," the Cook interjects before Elsie could answer. "They were both as proper as a man and wife could be, and very fond of each other. And she has been out of sorts ever since the master disappeared, it only shows how much she loves him."

Elsie's look could curdle milk, but she keeps her arguments to herself. Henry meanwhile points out that if there had been a murder, there surely should have been a body.

"Can you imagine, Mrs. Tubbs dragging a body out of the dining room. And then what? Digging him in the garden? Without any of us noticing?"

"Look you two, I do not care for that talk of poisoning and murdering in my kitchen! It is all so much nonsense," the Cook repeats herself. Her tone that of an undisputed mistress in her domain and all the other servants look down. If Elsie or Henry have anything more to say on the subject, they would not be doing it in front of her. "And with Mrs. M and a guest waiting upstairs for their tea, for shame! She might be a tyrant and a termagant, but you, Henry, have not been at your best either, and you would do best not to provoke her any further."

Henry mutters something apologetic under his nose and then looks hopefully to Edward: "Is the tray ready then?"

---

Maximilian
If Mrs. Murgatroyd has understood Maximilian's meaning, she never lets on.

"I suppose you could say he was fond of the man, as much as one might be fond of a prized possession. There is an acquaintance of mine, I do not like to name names, in Surrey, who is very much fond of a pair of imported oxen from Greece, or Albania, or some such place. Says he intends to improve the local breeds and that in a few years there will be cattle in England such as the world has never seen." In a very short space of time (although it feels much longer to him) Maximilian learns far too much of the shortcomings of a Surrey man of no consequence for the present investigation. As much as Mrs. Murgatroyd commends the Surrey man for his endeavours, she says, the breeding of livestock is not a fitting topic of conversation for polite company.

"Mr. Tubbs was the same, with his imps and sprites and so on. My niece had the patience of a saint with him, she would always try to prevent him from making a spectacle of himself. And never a word of complaint, although I could see it was putting a strain on her."

Maximilian's thoughts begin drifting only a few sentences into Mrs. Murgatroyd's story, but he continues to nod along and occasionally make appropriate noises of excitement or disbelief until she finally finished.

"Oh, I see," Maximilian replied, feeling affirmed in his belief that nothing the aunt had said had been very important, as he understood her point about Mr. Tubbs and Mr. Starhouse without having listened to any of it. "I can imagine that must have been rather frustrating for Mr. Starhouse, being treated as such a prized possession," he commented. "Not that I would understand what goes on in the head of a servant. And unfortunately, whenever I have been compared to an oxen before, it has not been in a flattering way, so perhaps I am misimagining his situation."

He thinks for a moment, then asks, "Mrs. Murgatroyd, if I may bother you with a little request. I have been given the details of what exactly happened here by rather unreliable people, I'm afraid. Would you be so kind as to repeat to me the timeline of events here. When exactly was it noticed that Messrs. Tubbs and Starhouse were missing? Who noticed their absence and who was informed?"

Edward nods, making the last fussy adjustment to the display on the tray. "It is indeed ready, apologies if in trying to second my master's manias I have caused a delay. We are ready to serve."

That said, he lifts the tray and looks at Henry, inviting the footman to make way.

To Elsie, he says "perhaps we can talk another time, Miss."

Edward
Henry leads the way, helpfully opening and holding the doors for Edward, but not offering to take the tray. As they climb the creaky staircase, they come face to face with an opulent middle-aged man wearing somber dark garb (which seems to be, however, of excellent quality), and an old-fashioned powdered wig which marks him as someone of the medical profession. Henry hesitates.

"Oh... Seems we'll be needing another cup then?"

"No, no, don't trouble yourself, dear boy. I will not take tea. I am to have a word with dear Mrs. M and then I intend to walk to the village, so if you would be so kind to bring my coat and hat? I am sure you do not need two people to carry a tea tray, I believe your butler can manage on his own."

Shamefaced, Henry finally reaches for the tray, intending to free Edward of its burden.

"He's not our butler..."

"No? Oh, my apologies. Who might you be then, sir?"

---

Maximilian
"Those are very good questions indeed! I commend you. Exactly the spirit of inquisitiveness I would expect of someone engaged in your profession." Having just found out about Maximilian's profession and still not understanding fully what this profession is does not stop Mrs. Murgatroyd from heaping praise on the young investigator. Praise, but not much useful information.

"I am afraid I cannot give you the answers. It was in Weymouth at a salon where I first heard rumours. Imagine my mortification to find my relatives' name attached to such talk! That was maybe a week ago. I am not quite certain, I immediately set off to be at my niece's disposal and I have been living on the road. Such a journey! We arrived at noon today, me and Dr. Amberly, who was kind enough to accompany me, and I was hoping to glean some information from Aramintha, but she was not in a fit state to answer any of my questions."

Edward lets Henry take the tea tray, then bows his head to the wig-wearing man.
"No apology needed, Sir. You are close enough to the mark, in your assessment. I am Edward Broadhurst, the valet of Mister Calstock. we arrived from London only today. My master wanted to pay homage to Mrs Tubbs, but I understand she is unwell? I hope it is nothing serious... Doctor...? " he leaves the phrase hanging to elicit a name from the corpulent fellow.

"Dr. Amberly followed you all the way here on the week-long journey from Weymouth?" Maximilian asks, trying to hide his skepticism behind admiration. "I wish there were still such loyal people in London. Many doctors are barely willing to do housecalls these days. I assume you have a professional relationship with the good doctor to inspire such loyalty in the man?" he suggests. Or, you're expecting some kind of payout here that you promised to share.

"Amberly is the name, Earnest Amberly, pleasure to meet you! Although it is a surprise also. As far as I have been lead to believe, Mrs. M came here with the express purpose of guarding the house against visitors. And yet here you are, with the tea tray! Your master must have breached the defenses! Shall we proceed then?"

The doctor energetically makes for the sitting room. Once at the door however, he stops to wait for the other two men, especially for Henry, who has turned purple with the effort of keeping the tea on the tray. He gives the young footman an encouraging smile.

---

"Ah, speak of the devil!" Mrs. Murgatroyd exclaims as the doctor enters, followed by the two servants. She had just been explaining to Maximilian that once one finds a competent physician, one should keep him close at all times. "Dr. Amberly, this is Maximilian Calstock. A magician from London! Seems Mr. Norrell has taken an interest into my family's plight and is sending his most valuable soldiers to our rescue. Mr. Calstock, this is Dr. Amberly. You may direct your questions at him."

Amberly makes the appropriate surprised noises at the revelation that Maximilian is a magician. He offers the young investigator his hand and looks at him long and hard; and although the pleasant smile never leaves his face, there is a spark of suspicion in his eyes.

"Doctor, very good to meet you," Maximilian replies to the man, shaking his offered hand. "May I inquire how the lady of the house is doing? I understand this is a very stressful situation for her. Which only makes your willingness to come all the way out here and tend to her more admirable and appreciated. Mrs. Murgatroyd was just about to tell me how she convinced a fine gentleman like yourself to undertake such a journey."

Edward observes in silence, taking poor Henry out of his misery by helping him set the tea, making a show of displaying Maximilian's tea with the utmost care and with the most fastidious precision.

He intercepts Maximilian's look at this behavior, and glances back in his best bear with me and play along expression.

"Oh, as to that, what she said was - correct me if I'm remembering it wrong, Mrs. Murgatroyd - what you said was 'Amberly, off we are to Barnsthorpe!' and that was that. I don't suppose that whenever Mr. Norrell, you being employed by him as you say you are, wishes you to go and act on his command, would suffer you to sit and debate whether you should or shouldn't go." It is becoming clear that Dr. Amberly doesn't seem to have much of a practice and Mrs. Murgatroyd is his sole employer. Serving a single lady and being paid as much (if not more) as if he was maintaining a regular list of patients must be worth the occasional inconvenience of traversing half the country at a moment's notice.

"My niece, Doctor, how is she?"

"Resting. It was clear to me that she hadn't had a proper night's sleep in some time, so I applied the tincture of Laudanum. I doubt she has been keeping regular meals either, but once she has rested I have no doubt it would be easier to induce her to have some thin porridge."

"I shall order it prepared then. And when is Mr. Calstock to be allowed to cast his magics upon her?"

The doctor seems a bit taken aback.

"I... I doubt that would be necessary. I know bringing ladies from the dead is Mr. Norrell's specialty, but I assure you, Mrs. Tubbs is in no immediate danger. Should the unthinkable happen, by no means, Mr. Calstock would be more than welcome to... to perform upon her, but until then simple medicine would be enough."

"Yes, yes, but would it not be more expedient if she could be cured immediately? I know from experience how dull it is to spend days and days in bed and sup on thin porridge. Mr. Calstock, what is your recommendation?"

"Well, I would have to see the lady before I could make a proper recommendation, of course," Maximilian replies without hesitation. He doesn't feel an immediate need to point out that he is not a practical magician of Mr. Norrell's caliber - even if he used to be pretty good at pretending he was before that kind of thing got outlawed in London.
"Perhaps if I was given access to the young lady, I would be able to help her, as Mrs. Murgatroyd suggested."

"In that case, you would need to wait until tomorrow!" the physician's tone is becoming sharper.

"Oh, don't be a bore, doctor!" Mrs. Murgatroyd chastises him. "I can't abide it when males start jousting for their territory. Mr. Calstock is no danger to you - and remember, my Aramintha's health is what is important here! Tomorrow Mr. Calstock shall have his consultation with her and I'll hear no quarreling about it. In fact, it is my wish that you two are to be friends. Here, have some tea. Oh, goodness me!" The lady finally notices Edward's arrangement of the tray and evidently approves of it. "I say, this is something else!"

"No, I don't think it is," Maximilian replies thoughtfully, his eyes on the tray as well. "It certainly looks like tea to me."

Hoping his humor hasn't cost him the good will of Mrs. Murgatroyd, he quickly swerves back to the previous topic. "Tomorrow it is, then," he agrees. "Though, if I may be so bold as to make such an inquiry, would it be possible for us to stay the night here? A guest room perhaps? It has been such a long walk here from the inn. I certainly don't feel like repeating it." While Maximilian enjoys some light exercise such as walking, Mrs. Murgatroyd doesn't seem like an outdoors type, so perhaps she would relate to his pretend plight.

Edward senses the Doctor's skepticism, possibly even hostility. We need to keep our eyes open around this one...
"Glad the arrangement is to Milady's taste." Edward bows his head graciously, acknowledging the woman's impressed reaction.

Let's hope we've impressed her enough to let us stay for the night, he thinks as he hears his master's plan. Despite his jokes, is his afterthought.

"I would be more than happy to accompany you as far as the village. I am sure with a company the walk would not feel so arduous." It would not be unreasonable to assume that the doctor is not making the offer out of the goodness of his heart. His suspicious demeanor has not changed. Mrs. Murgatroyd however does not like his proposition.

"I don't think it's an unreasonable request. And I do not like the thought of you leaving the house, Amberly. I know what you are like when you go out on your walks! And what if my niece's condition changes while you are away? Am I to be left alone to tend to the invalid? No, it is out of the question. Mr. Calstock, you are welcome to stay. Henry, see that there is a room prepared for Mr. Calstock!" She thinks for a moment. "But you haven't brought any luggage with you. I expected you to at least have a bag for your magical instruments. Doctors carry bags, after all." She is already speaking as if she has commissioned Edward and Maximilian to come and tend to her needs, rather than them turning out on her doorstep. "I assume it is all at the inn. Henry, I will have you bring Mr. Calstock's trunk from the inn! Hurry now!"

Henry, who might have at some earlier point in his life been a bright or at least promising young lad, but now appears to have adopted the expression of utter confusion as his natural state, doesn't seem inclined to hurry anywhere.

"Should I... The room first, or..."

"Oh, give me strength!" Mrs. Murgatroyd raises her eyes to the heavens in exasperation. "Hopeless, absolutely hopeless!"

Mention of his trunk at the inn gives Maximilian pause. He clears his throat. "Well, if someone were to pick up my trunk," he says hesitantly, "They would have to be very careful with it. Certainly not open it. There are, as you so smartly said, Mrs. Murgatroyd, magical instruments in there. If handled the wrong way, there might be mayhem." Though not as much mayhem as if Henry or any other servant discovers his dresses in there. He glances at Edward to see what he thinks on the matter.

Edward takes his cue, and steps forward. "Allow me to accompany Mr. Henry to retrieve your trunk, Sir. It will be an easier task, for two people."

Then turning to Henry, smiling at the man to reassure him, "let's go, my good man. We'll be there and back in a jiffy."

Edward
Although Mrs. Murgatroyd has evidently taken upon herself the role of the Lady of the House, she does not go so far as to allow a stranger to take out the Tubbs's coach, no matter their references. Henry is relieved by her decision to send him and Edward on foot, and he confesses as much as they walk the road back to the village in the deepening darkness.

"I look after the horses now," he explains. "Starhouse used to be the coachman, and groom too. You may laugh at me if you wish, but I daren't approach the coach now. It's bad enough how Admiral and Titus look at me, all disrespectful like. As if asking me who do I think I am. He used to have a way with animals, Starhouse did, and seems they won't recognise another master now."

---

Maximilian

With Henry gone, one of the other servants is sent to prepare Maximilian's room. Mrs. Murgatroyd has some more unkind words for the footman, as if it's the young man's fault that he can't be in two places at once. The lady delights in apologising for the staff's shortcomings and assuring Maximilian that had she been in charge of the household, she would have perished before embarrassing herself in front of guests in such a way. A rather convenient claim to make, since she doesn't seem to have servants of her own, Dr. Amberly comprising the entirety of her retinue, and so there is no definitive evidence of her superior management skills.

"But tell me, Mr. Calstock," the doctor interjects when after a quarter of an hour Mrs. Murgatroyed finally stops to take a breath between tirades, "are you truly here to cure Mrs. Tubbs, or is your intention to hunt for fairies? Forgive me, but I can't imagine Mr. Norrell has enough time to spare for every afflicted lady in the country, even if he employs agents to do his bidding."

Once out of the Tubbs grounds, Edward will try to use the comraderie among servants to get Henry at ease. "Sheesh... That Lady Murgatroyd surely is on your back, my dear fellow... What an unpleasant woman. I am sorry you have to endure her harrassment, it really is uncalled for..." he shakes his head, his words loaded with disapproval of the woman's attitude towards the help.
"Well, some horses have been known to develop a special attachment to one individual, for sure... " he replies. "Unless Mr. Starlight's charm over the animals was more than that? Rumour has it that the man had a mysterious reputation, possibly a magical aspect. How was the man, you must have had the chance to observe him up close... Did you ever see or hear anything to substantiate those rumours, I wonder?"