Ghost Writer Kill, Third session and coda
The Bookhounds gather upon the morrow. It is clear that there are two potential threats by which the mysterious incantation, and whatever dreadful force it invokes, might be circulated: the story in Thrilling Crime! Magazine and the forthcoming film Ziska. The Bookhounds agree that rather than stop either production entirely, which would be difficult and expensive, all that is really needed is to replace the offending incantation with something more innocuous. As the incantation is gibberish to the uninitiated, it shouldn't be too hard to persuade the publisher and film producer with something easier to read, or say. Sadly Dalton Hodge has caught a chill (perhaps he shouldn't have removed so many items of clothing at Miss Shute's party?). Mr Gold himself remains behind to tend the shop.
Mr Machen and Mr Williams decide to tackle the publisher of Thrilling Crime!, one William Jones (that would be Jones the publisher). Mr Jones is at first irate, saying that Collins has pestered him several times about withdrawing 'The Curse of the Jackal' from his magazine. Mr Jones states that he now has possession of the story and he won't see it published in some rival outlet.
Despite their shared Welsh heritage, Machen and Williams come up with a line of malarkey that would do the Irish proud about being from the Times Literary Supplement and wishing to review Thrilling Crime! in their hallowed pages. They explain that they would need to see the next edition before printing so that their review can be printed to coincide with the next magazine issue and lay on the Flattery of Mr Jones' writing and editorial skills, promising a bottle of fine whiskey as a sweetener if he would see their way to inspecting the manuscript.
The Keeper wonders if requiring his NPCs to fall for this hogwash as the result of Flattery spends represents some flaw in the Trail of Cthulhu rules. Mr Jones explains that time is short as the proof copy will have to go to press soon, but he can let them have a quick look while he goes for lunch. Machen and Williams offer copious thanks, and produce their blue pencils as soon as Mr Jones is out of sight and Bill the boy has produced the proofs. A few minutes work transforms the sinister incantation into something more innocuous in Gaelic.
Meanwhile, Seraphina and Charlotte approach Ashtree Studios, reasoning that Miss Olga Baclanova might be more willing to listen to two upper-class women than to strange men. They claim to the security guard that they have been hired to replace the late Mr Collins as archaeological consultants to Ziska. Mr Smith the guard, whose job it is to stop the stars being pestered by members of the public who want to get into pictures, is not particularly swayed by this story, but is swayed by a pound note (Credit Rating spend). Smith agrees to phone Mr Mycroft the producer, who gruffly informs them he will give them five minutes.
While eventually persuaded that this is not some elaborate ruse to get Charlotte or Seraphina an audition, and agreeing that Mr Collins' death leaves him short of a technical consultant on ancient Egypt (and special effects), Mr Mycroft is skeptical that the two can offer anything useful. "This isn't some instructional film for a university, you know" he barks. "It's Entertainment! Showbiz! The man on the Clapham Omnibus doesn't give a rats whether the Egyptian incantations are correct or not!" Thinking quickly, the ladies point out that replacing the exotic phrases with something that Miss Baclanova, with her heavy accent, would find easier to pronounce would mean the film can be done in less takes. The thought of a cost saving penetrates and Mycroft agrees to give the two "a quick trial as script consultants. I'm not paying you anything mind! You've got til I come back from lunch, and if you've improved the script, I'll consider keeping you on the books for future work on spec." He passes over a copy of the script and heads for the pub.
With Mr Mycroft temporarily absent, Charlotte and Seraphina bribe various supernumeraries and other functionaries until they are brought to Miss Baclanova's rooms, where they introduce themselves as friends of the late Mr Collins. Seraphina notices that Miss Baclanova seems visibly jumpy and pale, often darting glances around the room and at the mirrors, but elects not to press her. Miss Baclanova expresses relief at the thought of changing the incantation. She insists that Charlotte read the proposed revision (in Greek, of which Miss Baclanova has a smattering thanks to her Orthodox upbringing) aloud first, and then when there are no apparent consequences, agrees to the changes.
The threat of the Hunt being unleashed across Britain has been suppressed! Seraphina, however, still finds herself encountering cracked mirrors far too often for comfort. She and Mr Machen hypothesise that, having repeatedly heard the fateful incantation begin (if not be completed) she has attracted some form of supernatural attention from the Hunter; as if she had repeatedly rattled the handle of a door, and now the occupant of the room was staring through the keyhole to see who might enter. Perhaps there is some other incantation in Von Juntz to close the door again, but none of the Bookhounds feel inclined to meddle with the tome. Instead, Seraphina elects to draw upon her knowledge of British archaeology and folklore. The next full moon sees her make a propitiatory offering to Cernunnos at a certain Oak Tree in Green Park. Words are uttered and a libation poured. Although the night is still, a branch of the oak suddenly crashes to the ground, and a black shape streaks away - only a cat? Regardless, Seraphina feels a pressure she had not been fully aware of lift, as if a great eye had diverted its gaze, and she was once again an unconsidered member of the great human swarm of London.