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QuoteSir Chumbley Smithes, Retired Entrepeneur has passed away at his London estate at the age of 87. Over a notable and lengthy career in the export / import markets, Sir Chumbley travelled the world and made himself a very comfortable man in the process.
Liked and admired by his colleagues and peers, he was instrumental in the setting up of the Chelsea Gentleman's Club in the 1890's, a venue now regarded as one of the finest such locales in the world.
With a 5 year waiting list for membership, it is deemed the highest of honours to be elected to join the hallowed ranks of the members, which include politicians, judges, and many other gentlemen from other honourable professions.
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It is with this clubs wax seal, that the players find themselves with letters informing them of the demise of Sir Chumbley and an invitiation to attend a reading of his will at his home in Kensington.
Some have come from across the waters to attend, such is the high regard that all had for the deceased, and the fact that he died with the banks coffers bulging with his wealth, has obviously a small part to play in the attraction to attend the reading.
All the players in one way or another , had dealing with Mr Chumbley during his lifetime and all are keen to see what gift, if any, has been bestowed upon them........
The date and time is set for March 7th at No.1 Smithes Row, Kensington, 7pm
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Could all players, please post here what their connection to Mr Chumbley was...
I suggest that Sam's character and one other (in the other group) are in fact neighbours of Mr Chumbley
I'm going to suggest that Sir Chumbley has left a gift to the Everard family, and that as the only member of the family residing in London, my character has been mistakenly sent an invitation. Perhaps Sir Chumbley is unaware my character has been cut off from his wealthy roots and was some sort of old acquaintance of my character's father?
Well, it would be rude of me not to have known this chap through a professional capacity.
This has actually turned into a bit of background as well, oops!
So.
Sir Chumbley was a man in declining health. A lifetime of travel having taken its toll.
Towards the end of his life his concerns regarding his health had prompted him to attend many different hospitals.
On one such occasion he encountered a young Dr Enstein.
Despite having been close friends with both her father and grandfather (both having been gifted if slightly eccentric surgeons) he had never met this daughter, who had been packed off to boarding school at a young age. His initial reservations about being treated by a female doctor were alleviated having known her illustrious forebears. However, despite trials of various medications which helped to slow the decline, no cure could be found for his gradual ailing. With a heavy heart Dr Enstein resigned herself that she may never know the cause for this ailment. Over the intervening months Mr Chumbley was seen at regular intervals to try new medications and techniques. In addition to his health he discussed his travels which fascinated the young doctor. At his last appointment Mr Chumbley had said next time he would tell Francesca of her father and grandfather, and how they had become acquainted. However ill health put pay to this.
The letter to Francesca intrigues her, maybe she has been left something to help uncover some of the mysteries left by her past...
Pad Power was a business associate of Sir Chumbley and together they opened up a market in the US for the Englishman's inventions. Given his duties in Washington, Pad is unable to attend but his son Wyatt is in England and has attended on behalf of the family.
It is an excellant opportunity to renew old acquaintances and make new contacts amongst the great and the good of the British Empire.
The letter sealed by Sir Chumbley Smithes adds to DI Charlie Hammerman's suspicions about his childhood benefactor: although Charlie never met the man, he overheard the name mentioned many times by his parents. As part of his work with the Met, Charlie has investigated the business dealings of Sir Chumbley, and discovered connections with his father's market trading business. He doesn't believe all of their transactions were strictly legal, but has never been able to find enough proof to satisfy his superior officers, or to implicate Sir Chumbley directly.
So Charlie's interest in attending the reading is a mixture of personal and professional. He hopes to continue his investigation into the source of Sir Chumbley's vast wealth, as well as answer some of the questions about his past.