Authors

Briefing

Mission in a Nutshell:
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The autumn season of Ye Olde Lost City Playhouse is opening in a fortnight. Unfortunately, the director of this fine establishment, an old friend of mine, has some 'business' he needs me to attend to after hours. It seems he's having some difficulties with his actors. Should be interesting. After all, I've always tried to avoid the spotlight. . .

Description:
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An old friend of mine is having some difficulties with his business. Belvedere is a theatre director at one of the more minor playhouses of the district. He makes little enough profit as it is, and the place is known by only a small section of the district's artists, most of whom don't earn enough to attend. Still, there are enough
nobles who enjoy looking pretentious to cover his costs. That is, of course, until Belvedere's new star, an actor called Flamingo, came along.

The patrons despise the arrogant bastard, and no-one could understand why Belve kept him on, considering he can't act, or sing, and his biggest stage credit is as a security eye in a Mechanist musical. I couldn't understand it either, until, that is, Belve came to me the other night, half-drunk, almost in tears after a performance, to hire me. Apparently one night, after a particularly successful performance, Flamingo, (who was cast, at that time, as a dining-room chair), suggested he and Belve play some drinking games. One thing led to another and, after several rounds of voddy and the elation at the performance, Flamingo persuaded Belve to write a letter to the theatre's main patron and provider, Lord Turnberry. Turnberry's been on Belve's case for months, demanding certain shows for the season, insisting on needless repairs to the theatre roof, but Belve can't very well, say no to him, considering the moula the old guy's pouring into the place. The old nectar does wonderful things for the nerves, though, and Belve let the old bastard have it. The letter, apparently, expresses Belvedere's true feelings for his toffy-nosed patron, so you can see the problem. It would have been just a harmless, drunken stunt, if the letter hadn't been gone when Belve awoke. In its place was a note left by Flamingo, indicating that he'd like a little promotion in the coming performances. A simple blackmail. Now Belve needs that letter. He can't afford to lose Turnberry's funding, and nobody wants to see Flamingo play Madame Bovary again.

Belvedere's hired me, then, to find out where Flamingo has hidden the letter, retrieve it, and get out. Belve knows that Flamingo keeps a detailed journal in his dressing-room, so he may have left a note as to its location there. If not, I'm sure I can 'persuade' him to tell me. Belve's pay is pretty menial, but he's an acquaintance. As well as that, I'll take great pleasure in watching Flamingo fall on his arse. Fickle business this, but, who knows, I might be able to make it worthwhile for myself...