Beyond the Mountains of Madness

Jeff/Dr. Robert Cope was absent 12 Oct : It was almost mutiny as the Gabrielle entered Port-Phillip-Bay, the crew ready to dump the remaining Pemmican that had become their sole-source-of-food. Bland. The fishy, oily, stinking coal-fire smell of the city oh so inviting. A crowd was already awaiting at their assigned pier, per the radio ahead. Police for “The Hennings’ Affair” (as Moore worded the sabotage) and reporters to interview the globe-trotting adventuring Starkweather. As Starkweather stepped upon the gangplank, he turned to the men on deck, “Enjoy Melbourne but remember we sail in 5 days.” As the crew and exploration team lined the gangplank for escape into town, Moore pulled the trio aside. “Dr. Cope, I need you to organize our spoiled food replacement. Mr. Sampson, if you would deal with the photography chemicals. And Dr. Orendorf, if you’d please take a truck over to Manfield&Sons to pick up the 5 tons of Pemmican replacement we radioed in. Then deal with the elec...

Jeff/Dr. Cope was absent [Professor Moore’s letters] 25 Sept : “My Dearest Judith, Oh how I miss you. I hope you and the kids are doing well. I hope my package from the Panama Canal arrived. I know it’s just a collection of silly items for the kids but the colorful clothing reminded me of your vibrancy. You will have to model them for me upon my return. As for the expedition, we’ve ironed out a few kinks during our sail but should be in order come our 12 October arrival in Australia. We will layover a few days re-supplying which will give me time to shop for a few more items for you. Meanwhile, the team members are staying focused on their classes learning about Arctic survival. And I’ve been plotting out our expedition schedule with James Starkweather. I’m excited about the potential discoveries that lay ahead. All my Love, William” William sealed the letter and put it in the outgoing mail bag to be dropped off in Melbourne. “No need to worry her.” He then began composing a more...

  [Jimmy Stays in Contact with his New York Newspaper Editor] Saturday evening, 9 Sept : “Ring, ring. Hey boss, Jimmy here. I need you to authorize another fifty-bucks into my account. Professor Moore’s room steward is starting to jack-up his asking price for info. Appease him now till we sail. I did learn the trio met with that famous painter Nicholas Roerich. Something about a Dyer manuscript he was supposed to handover to Starks till he got mugged by Germans. Yeah, dem Nazi guys. And according to Nicholas, Ms. Lexington is of that fascist persuasion. Which now makes them question the recent hire of the German ship captain, Heir Vredenburg. Moore seems more concern Dyer didn’t try to contact him instead of Starks. He can’t understand why James didn’t agree to meet with Nicholas, “James would have turned it into another photo op.” Anyway, I gotta get back onboard the ship. I’ll take notes and send from the Panama Canal.” [Jimmy’s Notes] Sunday, 10 Sept : last day in New York...

[Dr. Robert Cope’s Updating Mrs. Lake regarding the Expedition Status] Friday evening, 8 Sept : Dearest Pearl, these last weeks have been a whirlwind of activities, especially now that Starkweather has upped the sailing date to tomorrow. No time for lounging on the veranda sipping mint tea. I can’t complain too much about the early sail as it does put me one week closer to finding out just what happened to your husband and my dear friend. I’ve always felt (still feel) I should have been with Professor Lake; but, you know Charles. How he swayed me into staying behind to cover his classes. I should also mention another member of the team, Dr. Orendorf, has purpose in finding out what happened. It was his father also lost in the failed expedition. Hopefully, between the two of us, we can keep the expedition focused on that stated goal. For it seems this James Starkweather is all about personal fame; his goals seem to change like the tide. Such as him now in competition with the industrial...