Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, flappers and fellas alike, to The Grand Gatsby Mystery at the Museum! The year is 1925. It’s the height of Prohibition in 1920s Chicago. A mob war is brewing between two mobs – the South Side Gangsters led by Hal & Sal Sapone, and the Northern Chicago Mob Outfit, led by Beanie & Meanie Jean O’Dannon. These two ruthless mobs have agreed to put aside their differences tonight and meet at The Grand Gatsby, which is the speakeasy of the South Side Gangsters. This criminal endeavor is held together by threads, and a spark of tension could at any moment cause the collapse of the agreement and send the two mobs into chaos. However, thus far, this new peace treaty between the Sapones and the O’Dannon’s has prevented any blood from being shed. Will these two underground organizations resolve their disputes here tonight, or will a massive melee rekindle the fatal flames between them? This is where your story begins. ​
Learn How to Play
Watch these two videos
Here are the rules:
1. Roleplay as your character, stick to the plot. Don’t fabricate clues. You can only lie if your character sheet says to, or if you are intentionally misleading people as part of the plot.
2. Feel free to make small talk, but focus on the talking points you have on your cards. You don’t want to miss the gossip that is drifting around! Answer questions and talk as your character would. Step into the role you have been given and have fun with it!
3. You are playing a role with your spouse, so stick with them the whole time! This is a date night after all, so don’t “divide and conquer”.
4. Open your envelopes when we tell you, not before. Viewing the clues for rounds 2 & 3 before they begin can be harmful for the plot and give away answers too soon. We want a fair game here!
5. Round one is very important, as you will be getting to know everyone as the stage is set for the events afoot. Be sure to speak to every couple at least once, if not twice.
6. Round two is important, as the plot will develop, and the murder will occur at some point. At the end of round two, text your accusation to 860-531-8697.
7. Round three will be less roleplay and more reading of your solution card. Feel free to dramatically read, but don’t change what is written on your solution card.
8. Have a roaring good time and don't take any wooden nickels!
Character Profile Information
The McWarthys
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Handsome Sam’ McWarthy
Belle 'Kitty' McWarthy
Right-hand Team to the O'Dannons
Handsome Sam and Belle Kitty McWarthy are the ultimate charmers and right-hand team to Beanie and Meanie Jean O’Dannon. However, Sam has not always made the appropriate choices of friends (or enemies), which may land this loaded duo in a sticky situation one day if they're not careful.The rumor is that Sam and Belle just got a load of cash from an inside job they took from an unknown source. Everyone is trying to butter them up by sharing private information for a wad of greenbacks, but Sam sees them as a bunch of apple-polishers. Sam and Belle's reluctancy to cooperate is fueling some tempers around these parts.
The Fringes
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JazzyFringe
James Fringe
Night Club Singers
Jazzy and James Fringe met several years ago at The Two Aces and promptly fell in love and got married. Now Jazzy Fringe is a regular performer at Beanie O’Dannon’s club, and James is her trumpet player. However, this club is not as popular as Hal and Sal Sapone's Grand Gatsby - so Jazzy’s openly been after Kara Low’s job at Hal’s speakeasy. The Fringes will stop at nothing to get what they want.
The Blacks
Wyleen Black
Willy Black
Tabloid Newspaper Reporters
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The tabloid newspaper reporters Wyleen and Willy Black are the most money-hungry journalists and photographers in the history of Chicago. It is hard to find a soul in the city who isn’t stressed under the spell of blackmail and bribery as Mr. and Mrs. Black. Wyleen and Willy's nosy and conniving ways will certainly get them into major trouble one day - and it cannot come soon enough for most.
​The Stingrays
Fay Stingray
Jay Stingray
American Novelists and Critics
Fay Stingray is a peculiar and quite conservative flapper girl and novelist, and her husband is a poet and songwriter. Working diligently on a new novel, Fay has been relentlessly researching the rival mobster gangs in Chicago. It is impossible to figure out what this writer thinks, as she lingers in the shadows to soak in the scene around her. Jay has been working with Kara and Baron Low to write a new song for them to perform at The Grand Gatsby after all this mess blows over.
The Keedens
Buster Keeden
Bonnie Keeden
Silent Film Actors
Nicknamed Stone Face, Buster and Bonnie Keeden are American comedians, silent film actors, and Vaudeville icons. These former Kansas residents have lived from coast to coast during their illustrious career. Buster and Bonnie silent film legend recently moved to Chicago to spend time with Buster's bedridden great-grandfather. One day, he plans to journey back to Hollywood to get on the other side of the cameras.
The Sapones
Hal Sapone
Sal Sapone
Crime Bosses
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South Side Chicago GangHal & Sal Sapone are the infamous organized crime leaders of the South Side Gangsters in Chicago. It’s the height of Prohibition and these mobsters are one of the leading bootleggers in the United States. Hal is a smooth operator and owns the popular speakeasy, The Grand Gatsby where this event is taking place. These menacing lawbreakers are never seen without their faithful right-hand team, Tommy and Thelma Beagle.
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The Alfanis
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Sophia Alfani
Scotty Alfani
American-Italian Actor and Actress Couple and Pop Icons
Known by her nickname The New Fatales, Sophia and Scotty Alfani are one of the biggest icons of the silent big screen. Sophia is the embodiment of poise and beauty, and Scotty is the charmer of the big screen that every American knows. Unfortunately, Sophia is also a tyrant on film sets. Her costars often complain about working with her. However, those who know her best can see her genuine charm.
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The Shultzes
Ducky Shultz
Donna Shultz
Mobster Duo | South Side Chicago Gang
Ducky and Donna Shultz are the hands-down number-one rum runner pair for the South Side Chicago Gang and loyal followers of Hal Sapone. Ducky is Hal’s nephew and will do anything for the Southern mobsters. Ducky’s loyalty seems to be unsurpassed and unbreakable.
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The Beagles
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Tommy ‘Four Guns’
BeagleThelma 'Six Sticks' Beagle
Right-hand Team to the Sapones
Tommy ‘Four Guns’ & Thelma 'Six Sticks' Beagle is the elusive right-hand team to Hal & Sal Sapone. These gangsters are keen on making up rhymes about their victims before they bump them off. So, if you hear Tommy & Thelma Beagle rhyming, start running!
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The Zarbos
Zetta Zarbo
Zane Zarbo
Silent Film Stars
The stunning Zetta & Zane Zarbo are the quintessential ‘20s Hollywood silent film star couple. They are gracious and charming on the big screen, and in real life, they're a live wire. As celebrities, they're no stranger to blackmailers and deceivers, but hope dawns for their personal life, as they've recently become the doting friendsof the notorious mobsters, Hal and Sal Sapone, promising him a big cashout from Hollywood stars.
The Zarbos have a crippling debt to pay to the Maplins and they just can't seem to get Sam and Belle McWarthy to loan them some dough. Tension is high coming into this party. They are sucking up to Hal Sapone to get the cash they need.
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The Lows
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Kara Low
Baron Low
Nightclub Singer and Pianist
This lighthearted flapper Kara Low and her husband and legendary pianist Baron Low are performers who hits on all sixes at The Grand Gatsby speakeasy. Kara is a real canary, as a sizeable crowd gathers in the club regularly to hear her sing. She’s an angel by a piano, but if you double-cross this doll, she’s likely to turn into a bearcat.
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The Limbergers
Chuck Limberger
Charlotte Limberger
Aspiring Pilot Duo
Chuck Limberger is the loveable but airheaded American pilot with his trusty copilot and wife Charlotte Limberger. Chuck is the brother of Mona Crawfish. This daring duo plans to fly a solo non-stop TransAtlantic mission on their plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, but skeptics around them are delaying their funding progress. These determined and spirited pilot will try anything to show that they can take their metal wings to the skies.
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The Valentinos
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Gloria Valentino
Gabriel Valentino
Upcoming Silent Film Stars
Gloria and Gabriel Valentino are stunning upcoming silent film stars. They are breaking the surface of the Hollywood scene and proclaim their true inspiration comes from Zetta and Zane Zarbo. Gloria recently finished filming a bit part in her first film and is desperately awaiting her turn to become one of Hollywood’s richest and famous.
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The Mountains
Virginia Mountain
Vey Mountain
Gang Member Duo
Virginia and Vey are cold, calloused mob members who run with the gangsters of the Northern Chicago Mob Outfit. Their motto is: Take no prisoners. If there is trouble between the two sides of town, they're at the heart of it. Some say their loyalty to Beanie O’Dannon should be questioned, as there have been late-night sightings of them in the southern section of town.
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The Maplins
Marlie Maplin
Mary 'Mischief'' Maplin
Rich Party-Goers
Marlie and Mary 'Mischief' Maplin are the high-hat types of the party -- rich and snobbish, they have deep pockets and noses so high they could sniff the clouds. They reccently loaned the Zarbos a wad of cash after their last movie flopped, and now they are demanding their payment. This ruthless and classy couple stands apart from the crowd.
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The Normans
Neal Norman
Nancy Norman
Film Stunt Doubles and Daredevils
Neal and Nancy Norman are famous for their stunt double gigs and daredevil acts. They are fantastic at their work and regularly awe the crowds that watch their silent films. This daring couple regularly visits the gaming tables owned by The Two Aces, and they are loyal to the O'Dannon's.
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The Emeralds
Jackie 'The Legs' Emerald
Josie Emerald
Mobster Duo | South Side Chicago Mob
Jackie 'The Legs' and Josie Emerald are known for their grandiose lifestyle. Jackie earned his nickname because he’s the fastest runner on the mob scene, which helped him evade many attempts on his life by his northern foes. Jackie’s and Josie's loyalties are often questioned, but at least on the surface, he is one of the South Side mobsters.
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The Goodwins
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Gordan 'Ghost' Goodwin
Goldie Goodwin
Rum Runners for The Two Aces
Gordan 'Ghost' Goodwin and his charming wife Goldie Goodwin are rum runners for The Two Aces. Gordan is called the Ghost because of how he eludes the police forces trying to stop their rum running business. Be careful -- nobody wants to cross Ghost and Goldie unless they got a death wish and a prayer. Nobody messes with the Goodmans twice... the first time will be the last.
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The Bars
Dave 'Hershey' Bar
Diana 'Kiss' Bar
American Baseball League Star and Cheerleader
Jazz Performers
The talented Dave 'Hershey' Bar is a record-breaking American Baseball League outfielder, and his wife Diana 'Kiss' Bar is a star cheerleader and dancer. Hershey is the brother of Handsome Sam McWarthy and a part-time saxophone player at the Grand Gatsby. He is incredibly talented and performs the sax to fulfill his childhood dreams of becoming a jazz performer, with Kiss always cheering him on. This iconic and talented couple is the cat’s pajamas!
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The Drinx
Haddie Drinx
Toddie Drinx
Speakeasy Waiter & Waitress
The beautiful Haddie Drinx and her dashing husband Toddie Drinx are long-time waitstaff at the Grand Gatsby and the best friends of Mona and Noah Crawfish. Haddie dreams of becoming a nightclub singer with her husband playing tenor saxaphone for her, and is deeply envious of Kara and Baron Low for stealing the vacant lounge singer position from her at the Sapone's speakeasy months ago.
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The O'Dannons
Beanie O’Dannon
Meanie Jean O'Dannon
Crime Bosses | Northern Chicago Mob Outfit
Beanie and Meanie Jean O’Dannon are the ruthless leaders of the Northern Chicago Mob Outfit. Their organization is known for bootlegging, running protection rackets, and illegal gaming. They are the formidable enemies of Hal & Sal Sapone. However, the two outfits have recently agreed to work together in their criminal endeavors. Everyone says this truce won’t last, and someone will pull first blood. The only questions are when and who.
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The Crawfishes
Mona Crawfish
Noah Crawfish
Police Informant to the O'Dannons and
Dancing Marathon Champions
Noah and Mona Crawfish are the secret police informants to Beanie and Meanie Jean O'Dannon, as Noah works at the police station and gets paid big bucks to tell the O'Dannons when police crews are patrolling near their speakeasy. Mona Crawfish is also a national marathon dancing champion in the United States, as no one can beat her endless supply of energy on the dance floor. Those who don't know of Noah's betrayal of police intel are skeptical of Noah's loyalty to the law.
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The Yvonnes
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Vince Yvonne
Yetta Yvonne
Prohibition agents in disguise
Vince and Yetta Yvonne are unusual party-goers. They claim to be out-of-town "map salesmen", but their proper demeanor and specific questions about the rum menu make some people think they are really Prohibition agents in disguise! Rum runners beware -- this suspicious couple might be after your job and your freedom! Are they harmless rubes -- or here to blow the lid off the joint?
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FAQ
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Can dating couples attend? YES! A God-honoring dating relationship is the precursor to a successful marriage. Each year, couples who want to see examples of healthy marriages and learn how to have a healthy marriage attend our events. If you have further concerns, reach out to us at info@vowstokeep.com.
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Can engaged couples attend? Absolutely! We strongly encourage engaged couples to attend our conferences and events. Early in a relationship is the BEST time to build a firm foundation that will last your entire married life.
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I registered and cannot attend due to a conflict or sickness. Can I donate my ticket? YES! We would encourage you to first look within your circle of influence and give your ticket to a couple you know who could use a date night. Pray about it and let the Lord lead your decision then LET US KNOW WHO YOU DONATED YOUR TICKETS TO. WE WILL NEED THEIR NAMES AND EMAIL ADDRESSES. You can email that information to our office at info@vowstokeep.com. (If you truly do not know anyone who could use your ticket, you can email us and we will do our best to give your ticket to a couple in need.)
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