1920s · 6–16 players · about 2 hours
Death at the Speakeasy
The Velvet Hour is the hottest speakeasy in Chicago until its owner, Vinnie Marlowe, is found poisoned in his office during a false police raid. Everyone in the club had a reason. Only one of them did it.
The victim
Vincent "Vinnie" Marlowe, owner of the velvet hour. Found slumped over his desk at 11:50 pm. Cyanide in his private bottle of Canadian whisky, the one nobody else was allowed to touch.
The suspects
The first 6 are the core cast. Add the rest as your guest list grows.
Core · she/her
Lola LaRue
The headline singer
The voice of The Velvet Hour. Half of Chicago is in love with her.
Costume: Something that sparkles, a feather in your hair, long gloves.
Core · she/her
Dorothy "Dot" Marlowe
Vinnie's wife
Runs the front of house, the books, and, some say, Vinnie.
Costume: A string of pearls, a dark dress, a hard expression.
Core · he/him
Frankie Costa
The bootlegger
Supplies every bottle in the place. Do not ask where from.
Costume: Pinstripes, a fedora, a toothpick.
Core · he/him
Dr. Edmund Hale
The society doctor
Physician to the Gold Coast, and the club's most reliable customer.
Costume: A good suit, a bow tie, a pocket watch, the medical bag.
Core · she/her
Ruby Fontaine
The cigarette girl and bookkeeper
Sells cigarettes on the floor, keeps the books upstairs, sees everything.
Costume: A short dress, a tray on a strap, a pencil behind the ear.
Core · he/him
Sam "Sticks" Delaney
The bandleader and drummer
Keeps the beat, runs the band, never misses a set.
Costume: A burgundy band jacket with gold cuffs, a bow tie, drumsticks in your pocket.
Optional · he/him
Charlie "Hot Lips" Bertrand
The trumpet player
Second chair in the band, first in line for anything better.
Costume: Burgundy band jacket, slicked hair, a trumpet mouthpiece in your pocket.
Optional · he/him
Otis Greene
The bartender
Pours the drinks, polishes the silver, hears every secret at the bar.
Costume: White shirt, sleeve garters, a bar towel over the shoulder.
Optional · she/her
Mabel Marlowe
Vinnie's sister and the hostess
Greets every guest at the door and remembers every name.
Costume: A tidy dress, a guest book, a brooch.
Optional · she/her
Countess Anastasia Volkova
The "Russian countess"
Fled the Revolution with her jewels, she says. Runs a private card game upstairs.
Costume: A tiara or headband, long gloves, too much jewellery.
Optional · he/him
Detective Jack Brannigan
The off-duty cop
Chicago P.D., off duty, and very comfortable in a speakeasy.
Costume: A rumpled suit, a badge in the pocket, a cigar.
Optional · she/her
Pearl Whitmore
The heiress flapper
Old money, new haircut, in love with the wrong crowd.
Costume: A beaded dress, a long cigarette holder, a bob.
Optional · she/her
Vera Castellano
The rival club owner
Owns The Blue Parrot across town. Came to see what all the fuss was about.
Costume: A sharp suit or a dramatic dress, red lipstick, a cigarette case.
Optional · he/him
Father Michael Doyle
The priest, and Vinnie's cousin
Hears confessions in the back room on Saturday nights. Drinks on the house.
Costume: A collar, a dark jacket, a flask.
Optional · she/her
Ginger Malone
The chorus girl and Lola's understudy
Second on the bill, dreaming of first.
Costume: A fringed dress, tap shoes, a big bow.
Optional · he/him
Benny "The Nose" Russo
Vinnie's bodyguard
Six foot four, stands by the office door, sees who goes in.
Costume: A tight suit, a broken nose, no smile.