Untitled synopsis (First Draft: James Norris . . .)

Introduction

UNTITLED SYNOPSIS (First Draft: James Norris . . .). THE LAST CELT listed a portion of this as: untitled  (Joe Rogers had been working the stock markets.)

This is a synopsis for an untitled story involving a complex web of deception, infidelity, and murder. This outline sketches the intricate relationships and hidden motivations of multiple characters involved in a dramatic and suspenseful narrative.

This synopsis outlines a classic noir setup, complete with mistaken identities, hidden motives, and a web of deceit stretching across several interconnected lives.

Summary

The synopsis revolves around a series of interconnected events and characters embroiled in deception and crime. James Norris and Joe Rogers are central figures, with their actions and whereabouts during critical times forming the core of the mystery. The events unfold around Mary Young, who has ceased working for Mr. Bond due to his inappropriate advances. Bond, infatuated with Mary, arranges to meet her at Woodlawn, a rendezvous that seems to spiral into chaos.

Mary Young is portrayed as secretive, possibly hiding from a persistent lover who is later implicated in her murder. This man was spotted by Miss Minsey leaving Mary’s room on a fateful Sunday night. Concurrently, Joe Rogers is in trouble due to illicit activities in the stock market, leading to his sudden disappearance. His room contains evidence of his financial tampering, further complicating the narrative.

James Norris is connected to these events but struggles to establish an alibi for the night of the murder. It’s suggested that Norris was assisting a troubled woman, which prevented him from revealing his whereabouts without implicating her. Evidence such as a cigar lighter with Norris’s initials and a knife found in his room links him to the crime, although it appears these items were planted to frame him.

The story hints at a deeper conspiracy involving Mrs. Schmidt and Mrs. Edgecomb, who are part of a scheme related to the true identity of the murdered girl, suggesting that the victim was not Mary Young but someone else entirely.

Characters

  • James Norris: Central to the plot, entangled in a romantic dispute and wrongfully implicated in the murder. His connections and secret assistance to a woman hinder his ability to clear his name.
  • Joe Rogers: Engaged in fraudulent stock market activities, leading to his flight to evade detection. His actions indirectly influence the narrative through the chaos they create.
  • Spearman: Mentioned briefly as a subway worker, possibly a minor witness or character with incidental involvement.
  • Mrs. Bond: Hires a stranger to follow her husband, reflecting her suspicions and indirectly setting off the chain of events leading to the climax.
  • Mary Young: Initially a victim of Bond’s advances, her secretive behavior and subsequent murder are central to the unfolding mystery.
  • The Stranger: Not explicitly named, involved in the investigation and possibly the one Mrs. Bond hires to track her husband.
  • Miss Minsey: A key witness who sees a man leaving Mary Young’s room, her observations contribute significantly to the unraveling of the plot.
  • Mrs. Schmidt and Mrs. Edgecomb: Suggested to be part of a larger conspiracy to help someone escape, possibly connected to the true identity of the murder victim.
  • TALES OF WEIRD MENACE, Ultimate Edition, REH Foundation Press, March 2025   

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