Unknown Date (Elle to Annya)

Dear Miss Marianovski,

Your letter was unexpected and most welcome. I am not good at flowery thanks, so I'll just say plain thanks.

You be careful with Connie. He's handsome and charming and all, and of course we grew up together, but there's enough about him to trouble a girl's mind right on to madness and in a queer way I figure I got off easy. Not even just a girl's, his old school chum has been in the sanitorium for a couple months and I'm not saying I know why, but . . . it's not too hard to figure after a while that nothing sticks to Connie.

But if you've made up your mind and it sure sounds like you have, then you'd do as well to enjoy yourself and treat him kind. For all he's never had a day of trouble in his life he's maybe had cold kindness, too.

Anyway this isn't what I meant to say but it's been so long since I had a woman friend to talk things over with. I suppose I sound right foolish. Well, I won't tell Con you sent me the money and I expect I won't have to bother you again.

Yours truly,

Eleanor Everett

PS. I have enclosed a ha'penny in case you are curious to see some British money.

ENCLOSED: One ha'penny coin.

Unknown Date (Mme Four to Roger/NY Ned)

Roger,

This news is most alarming. Under no circumstances must the Target be allowed to leave the country. On the night in question, you and Frank must take him to the Old Mill Tavern. It is enough out of the way to allow for sufficient flexibility should our plans go awry. Get him drunk and try to convince him to stay, as a sort of lark or defiance of Father or whatever you like. If he is not inclined, leave him inside in Frank's custody , and go out to the streetlamp directly in front of the tavern. Making sure you are well lit, attempt to light a match for a cigarette and fail three times. On the third failure swear any oath you like by your Sainted Aunt Elizabeth. Rejoin your friends in the tavern. No more than five minutes later, the Target will be arrested by our mutual friend in the police force.

It is desirable that you remain above suspicion to the Target, but it is imperative that you do NOT allow him to leave. All will be excused in service of this goal, short of mortal harm.

I will be meeting with the Rev. Father Anderson, third of that name, on the same day. I do not have to tell you how important it is that everything run smoothly while he is in town.

Yours in haste,
Mother

November17, 1911

Dear Frank,

Well, I must admit you gave me a bit of a scare! I am sorry to hear that you have been indisposed but correspondingly relieved that you have returned to health, and that your indisposition was nothing more serious. The inactivity of Room 816 has, I hasten to inform you, been somewhat remarked upon. In an attempt to unruffle feathers, I have already offered what may be exaggerated reports of a phusical illness. Should anyone inquire, you have suffered fever, nausea, vertigo, and various other digestive unpleasantries. I have been vague enough that you may emphasize or play down any of these aspects. I hope you do not take amiss this interference. It is my belief that this will smooth, at least marginally, your re-emergence into the Social Club.

I am further gratified to learn that we have a certain commonality of purpose, though sorry, as I may infer, that it has cost you personally. At this point I would suggest that we continue to work within the auspices of the Social Club, while personally expanding our goals. At the moment we have the mechanics of harm, embarrassment, manipulation - but we lack a human touch which you and I, Frank, would desire to add: that is to say a sting. The Social Club wishes to inspire certain actions, but I would couple with these actions an encompassing emotional devestation. Let me put this simply: I want the Target ours to dissect. For that I will require an anatomy. Nothing you have observed about him is insignificant, but most important is that we understnad as precisely as possible what he cares about and why. Let us discuss the impressions you have so far and map how to proceed from there.

I am startled by your other piece of information. At present I am uncertain how to proceed with it. Do you have any further details? I would be pleased to compare our knowledge of the family in question.

If you ask the carrier of this letter where he got his shoes, he will give you an address. You may come and find me there any evening this week after seven o'clock. Please do not share this information with anyone else in the Social Club.

I think you will make a fine scalpel, Frank. I hope you will take that as a compliment, and perhaps an image to give you some comfort.

Yours with all respect,
Mr. Five

Unknown Date (Elle to New York Ned)

Sweet Neddie,

I found your last letter awfully cryptic. If I've anything of Conrad's I'll be happy to return it when he gets home - which your sister claims will be soon - no need for sworn statements and other drastics.

Anyway, we all miss you terribly here in Old Wilkshire. The Bog is pretty this time of year hunkering down to face the winter. Is it really three years ago we used to go walking there so often? I think about that from time to time.

Say hi to Con for me.

Elle

November 17, 1911 (Annya to Eleanor)

From: Annya Marianovski
385 Park Avenue
New York, NY
USA

To: Miss Eleanor Everett
Wilkshire-on-the-Bog
Shropshire
England

Miss Everett,

After reading the note (I can't dignify anything so informal with the word letter) that you wrote to Mr. Wilkinson I know you are not one to be surprised that you are not alone in desiring such a man. I do not make it a habit of prying into Mr. Wilkinson's affairs (why create trouble for myself?), but when he leaves papers such as your note lying about I cannot be expected to sit idly by without neutralizing the threat.

You must understand, Eleanor, that I intend to keep Conrad. I will do all that is necessary. I hardly need tell you that this man has a special charm, an impetuosity that is is at once his attraction and default, for how can one hold on to the flying embers of an exploded firework? I intend to. Mr. Wilkinson may not have realized it yet, but I have already dealt with all his other attachments in New York.

Please find enclose $400. This should be more than enough to deal with your problem. Please do not come after Mr. Wilkinson again.

Do not think me a fool. I know that this is an activity, an expensive, exhausting activity, that I will have to continue all my life. But my great-great-great-grand uncle was a king, and I am prepared to fight for what I want.

Sincerely,
Annya Marianovski

Enclosed: $400 in 50-dollar bills.

Unknown Date (New York Ned to Eleanor)

Dear Elle,

I'm sorry my dear, but I don't quite know what to say. My current employment makes it quite impossible to leave New York any time soon, and from the sound of your letter you would need my assistance far before I could make it to your side.

But do tell me, is this really Conrad's? Can you send me some proof of that? Circumstances he can't refute, or at least a signed statement from you declaring that it is?

I ask because if I can confront Conrad in person it may do more towards guilting him into accepting his responsibility (in whatever way you would like him to do that) than your letters to him alone. For all we know they may go unopened. I need hardly tell you that Conrad is a terrible correspondent.

Please send evidence straight away.

Yours,
Ned Devine

15th Nov. 1911 (Marjorie to Henry)

To: Mr. Henry Wilkinson
Houses of Parliament
London, England

Dear Uncle,

I do not think there are enough words in the language to express my delight on receiving your leter. Conrad coming home! I did not dare to hope that it would be so soon, and my whole self is in such a flurry of anticipation and joy! I know that with him close to me again any present troubles will melt away dreamlike, and it is with increadable eagerness that I look forward to finally setting the date for our wedding!

But I must turn for a moment from my selfish celebration to more practical concerns. I do hope the reason for Conrad's return is entirely happy? I only ask because he has not written me of it himself and indeed his letters have included only pleasure in his new surroundings. I do not mean to question my own good fortune, but I do hope that he is quite well.

Which brings me to the matter of my poor mother. I must confess, uncle, that I was rather startled by your injunction that I bring her along. You must understand that her condition is such as makes her prone to extreemly volitile moods and sudden, often indelicate outbursts. Forgive me sir, I do not mean to lecture you on the health of your own sister, and of course I will bow to your wishes in this matter as in everything, but if you would at least be so kind as to come and see her yourself before the journey in question, it would put my mind greatly at ease.

In gratitude for the relief and joy you have already given, I remain
Your obedient niece and daughter-to-be,

Marjorie Wells

Unknown Date (Elle to New York Ned)

Ned Devine
New York, NY
USA

Dear Neddie,

Don't know how to say this really. I'm in a dreadful fix and your old cousin Con is doing a sort of disappearing act. Well, he was always sort of wet behind the ears, compared to you at least!

Damn, I'm no good at this. I'm not a flatterer, Neddie, you know that. But you asked me something once, and the thing is now I might really need it. I understand if things have changed but - at least I need help, and you said once you'd always help me.

You know I've always hated needing anything from anybody. I'm just in awful trouble, and I guess it's my own fault but it isn't just mine, and Conrad - but I'll shut up about him, I'm sure you don't want to hear all that. I said once I like you more than anybody, and that's still true. Hope it's enough.

Elle

November 16, 1911 (Frank to Mr. Five)

To: Mr. Five
An undisclosed location
to be Delivered by Hand

Sir,

I hope my long silence has not caused you any undue worry. The truth is I have had some personal troubles and was unfit to write for several days.

I am sorry to have missed our lunch date on Wednesday. As to what I wanted to discuss with you; it no longer matters to me. In fact, nothing matters to me anymore save one sweet prospect: Revenge on the Hellhound who has ruined my life- Conrad Bloody Wilkinson.

I gather that your goals are not very different from mine. Let me place myself therefore entirely at your disposal.

And, in the event that it might help in any way, let me inform you about Madam Four. I was meant to have dinner with her on Tuesday but missed that engagement as well due to my indisposition. She may be very upset with me. I have not heard from her, but we were becoming very confrontational.

To safeguard my revenge let me tell you that I recently discovered that she is in fact the sister of Mrs. Wells, Conrad's fiancee's crazy mother. She is also therefore Conrad's Aunt, but whether she is his Aunt by marriage or his actual Aunt I do not know.

Let me know in what way I can be of use.

Frank

November 14, 1911 (Roger to Mme. 4)

Mother,

I have received an alarming piece of news. Uncle Henry intends to ship Conrad back to England on the 22nd of this month! As Ned he has sent me ten pounds with the instructions to get Conrad onto the ship "No matter his state of inebriation."

What should I do?

As ever, I await your orders.
Your obedient,
Roger

P.S. Do you know where I can get a good exchange rate on British Pounds?

November 12, 1911 (Henry to New York Ned)

To: Mr. Edward Divine
New York, NY
USA

Edward,

I trust you are doing well in New York. Your cousin Conrad MUST board the transatlantic leaving New York on November 22nd. He has his ticket. It is your responsibility to place him on that boat, no matter his state of inebriation or unconciousness. Your family needs you. Find enclosed 10 pounds for your troubles,

Henry Wilkinson

ENCLOSED: 10 pounds

November 12, 1911 (Henry to Marjorie)

To: Miss Marjorie Wells
Wilkshire-on-the-bog
Shropshire
England

Dear Miss Wells,

Conrad is returning home. He will arrive at Portsmouth on December 10th. I'm sure he would appreciate it if you were to meet him at the Dock. I know that you cannot be away from your mother for long, so I have enclosed two train tickets for Portsmouth. I trust your family is in good health, and I wish you a joyful reunion with your betrothed.

Your soon to be father in law,
Henry Wilkinson

ENCLOSED:
Admit 2
to Portsmouth
from Wilk.OTBog
EXPRESS ==> !

Unknown Date (Laura to Frank)

To: Mr. Frank Thomas
Room 816
The Wistoria
New York, NY

From: LD
Havana, Cuba


Frank Darling,

Of course I will help you bring down that anchovie-loving bitch. Her real name is Francine Stewart. She was raised amongst Catholics in Bath. Insanity runs in her family - so don't be shocked by her behavior darling. But the kicker is this: she has an unfortunate sister that no one knows about - especially not Mr. Five! And who do you think that sister married? One Mr. Benjamen Wells - Dead!

But never mind all that Frank dearest darling - but you must hate me for I'm such a sap! Who would have thought me fo all people would leave this game a victim like any of those other idiots - and a victim of the biggest idiot of them all - I'm in Love with Conrad Wilkinson, frankie, and I can't keep this out of my head - you'll help me won't you, frank dear - with your brandy and shoulder and wonderful hand on the small of my back! for I must see him again or I will run mad, just like that whore Ann Marie Wells -

Love you always, my pillar of strength,
Laura