Day CXXXIII: Murder

There's been a murder...

And, tragically, it was my own.

I guess, if you're so inclined, you could say it was Morgan Hayes, in the Billiard Room, with her bare hands.


I'll back up.

This last weekend, there was a conspicuous lack of blog posts that I am sure you noticed. I'm not even sure how you made it through the last three days without them! Fear not, I am back, and alive, but barely.

I spent the weekend in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, participating in a Murder Mystery Party that I co-wrote with the all-too-lovely Anastasia Scott. Over the last few months, we've been concepting, writing, and developing a story for 10-13 people for people to play out through improv and carefully crafted clue-giving. We cast ten or so of our friends to "play" different roles throughout the evening. They ranged from Paloma Mallen Yeats, the pot-stirring gossip monger and devious best friend, to Charles Edward, the aged and charming butler of the estate. You see, the estate owner, Stafford Von Gantner had recently--and suspiciously!--passed, leaving millions behind to be divvied up amongst his survivors. And while surely no one would have offed such a charming, generous, loving old man...someone did.

So we spent the night playing out the scenario of an old man's funeral. Over the course of three hours, new details were revealed through a series of clues that slowly divulged the plot of the story. As more and more was revealed, the guests were asked to strike up specific conversations, ask pointed questions, and reveal hidden detail to their fellow party-goers. Eventually, the killer of Stafford Von Gantner was revealed, the murderer confessed, and there was much celebration.

It was sort of a blast.

It could have been executed better--and we learned a few lessons here and there--but it was good time that everyone seemed to enjoy. Even cooler: we have the opportunity to run it again this fall for a charity event! Nifty, eh?

So if you know anyone who's looking for a murder mystery party to be put on for them...