Monday 28th Jan. ctd…
Evening: Back at the hotel we discover that Hubert, plagued by chest pains had been driven to desperation. Whilst the rest of us were out, Hubert sought to relieve his malady by attempting to destroy the pieces of the simulacrum – to no avail. After dark, we decide to pay a visit to Antonio Termoni at his address. On stepping outside the hotel, Ludwig is blown over by the Bora, bruising his ribs and losing his precious hat in the process. All agreed, maybe we should stop in tonight. We’ll venture out again tomorrow.
Tuesday 29th January 1923
Breakfast: Bad dreams disturbed Letty, Pierre and Ludwig. The same nightmare again but the effect on the dreamer seems to be worsening* While we ate breakfast, a fez-wearing man peered in at us through a window. A different fez-wearing man than the one we had seen in the hotel previously. What was notable is that despite the Bora winds blowing strongly, the man didn’t hold on to his fez – it was like it was stuck to his head. This was reminiscent of the accounts of the blood red fez in Smith’s 1893 journal.
*Cumulative loss of magic points with each night.
A New Hat: We take taxis to the address for Antonio Termoni. On the way Ludwig insisted on stopping to buy a new hat. He has to order a top hat to be made in his size, for now he impulsively purchases a fez to wear for the day. His new top hat will be delivered to the hotel tomorrow.
Termoni’s House: Termoni lives in a well-to-do street not far from the museum. When we rap on his door, a villainous-looking man with an eye patch opens it. We ask to see Termoni and present our cards. The man asks us to wait in the hall. The hall has portraits and interesting objets d’art. Items include a figurine of a primitive human with strange proportions, and a vase with a thick glaze which obscures the detail of the dancing figures painted on it – but they seem to have odd limbs.
Signor Termoni: Termoni’s one-eyed man-servant, we learn his name is Marco, shows us through to the sitting room. We are greeted by a one-armed man, Antonio Termoni. The left sleeve of his shirt is sewn up. We introduce ourselves as historians. Our visit concerns an interest in eighteenth and nineteenth century Trieste. We tell Termoni that we believe him to be a historian and collector who may have in his possession certain items that may assist us in our studies. Termoni is happy to engage with us, we discuss the medallions his father left to the museum and the Winckelmann journal we hope he still possesses. In regards to the medallions he admits to knowing little. There were only ever seven to his knowledge. As for the journal – he asks Marco to fetch it for us.
The Winkelmann Papers: There is a journal and some loose papers. The papers are in connection with archaeological excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The journal is written in an ancient Greek dialect. Termoni has never troubled to have it translated. When we ask about the prospect of doing so, he informs us he knows of an excellent linguist in Trieste, named Marcius Montanelli, who would be capable. He even telephones the man to provide an introduction for us. Termoni entrusts the journal to our care. Once we have a transcript we shall ensure it’s returned to him.
The Vase and the Sleeve: Before taking our leave, Hubert enquires about the vase in the hall. Realising Termoni is not precious about it, Hubert barters for its purchase. A price is agreed and upon payment the vase will be delivered to our hotel. While this is happening, Letty is suddenly keen to exit the room. Once outside in the taxi, Letty tells us she saw a sort of inhuman movement beneath Termoni’s left sleeve. It made her feel quite queasy.
Signor Montanelli: The housekeeper admits us to Montanelli’s house and ushers us in to meet the man in his dim and cluttered study. Marcius Montanelli is in a wheelchair. A blanket rests upon his lap. He appears to have no legs. After introductory conversation, we present the journal to him. There’s quite a few pages and we expect it could take a number of days, if not weeks perhaps, to translate it all. To our surprise, Montanelli states it should take him maybe a day and a half. We’re taken aback, but this is good news indeed. The man and his convictions seem entirely genuine. We agree a fee and will return to collect the journal and a transcript on Thursday afternoon. At this point Letty rushes out of the house – Ludwig, anxious about her welfare, follows.
Letty’ Afternoon: Outside in the street, Letty suffers a psychotic episode, she panics and becomes sightless. She’s witnessed it again! Inhuman movement; this time beneath Montanelli’s blanket where his legs should be. First the vampire in Venice, then the inhuman stirrings of Termoni and now Montanelli. Why does she see what no-one else sees? Ludwig calms her. We’ll return to the hotel. Perhaps Ludwig will have a sedative he can administer to help her rest until her eyesight returns.
Hubert’s Afternoon: Hubert returns to Termoni’s house with an envelope full of cash to pay for the vase. One-eyed Marco takes the offered envelope and slams the door in Hubert’s face. Afterwards, he joins Ludwig at the Town Hall in an attempt to establish whether the Lizard’s Cave Tavern, as mentioned in the 1797 article, still exists or if something new exists on the site. Their lack of Italian hampers them and not even speaking English slowly and loudly helps with communication. They waste their afternoon and leave none-the-wiser.
Pierre’s Afternoon: Pierre ventures to the library to research Winckelmann’s murderer, Francesco Arcangeli, but learns nothing new. He researches the Locanda Grande, the hotel outside which Winckelmann was reputedly murdered and Arcangeli executed. It’s the hotel at which the unnamed waiter worked to whom Winckelmann inexplicably left his goods. Originally opened as the Hospitium Magnum, the hotel changed its name first to the Osteria Grande and then the Locanda Grande. The hotel was demolished in 1847 and a new hotel, the Hotel Garni, built on its site. The hotel changed name again in 1873 to its current name – the Hotel Vanoli. The hotel occupies a site on the city’s main square – the Piazza Unità d’Italia.
Wednesday 30th January 1923
Thankfully there were no bad dreams for any of us during the night. We receive delivery of a new top-hat and a vase. We learn nothing from closer study of the vase and lock it in the safe room with our luggage. We briefly spy another man wearing a fez. This is the third different fez-wearing man we’ve spotted around the hotel since our arrival.
.
.