It's New Year's Eve on the Sagebrush Express...
A train is rumbling toward the town of Whiskey Junction in the wild, wild west, where the booze flows fast and the bullets fly faster. Passengers include prospectors headed to their claims, a schoolmarm headed to her new job and thirsty cowpunchers headed for the renowned WJ Saloon. A few saloon dancers are putting on a show in the aisle.
Suddenly, robbers appear at the end of the train car, yelling “Stick ‘em up!” Most passengers hold up their hands in resignation—all except the town reformer and banker, Prunella Persimmon Potter, who stands up and loudly protests. She continues ranting as the train rushes into a tunnel, but is cut off by a single gunshot. When the train emerges into the light, her lifeless body is lying in the aisle. Who killed her? Was it YOU?
Thursday, December 31st, 7:30-10:30 PM
(be home well before midnight!)
Is this a lunch or dinner show?
No. It's not a show and we don't serve dinner. It's a party with hors d'oeuvres and desserts. More like a game. Think 'Clue, the Movie' but with extra people who are not suspects.
So it's not a show?
There will be people playing suspects (anyone is welcome to sign up for an open character), but it is not a show. It's a party with hors d'oeuvres where everyone tries to solve the murder.
Wait, you said dinner isn't served?
Dinner is not served. We'll have hors d'oeuvres only. Please plan to eat your actual meal before you arrive. We can suggest lots of wonderful places in town!
Don't the suspects already know who did it?
Nope. We draw slips of paper once all the suspects have arrived. One slip indicates guilty, the rest indicate innocent. Only the person who draws the 'guilty' slip knows who did it. Everyone else only knows that they themselves did NOT do it.
How do the suspects know what to say?
Every suspect will get a booklet with both innocent and guilty versions of the answers to questions they'll be asked. Suspects will get the answers via email a day ahead of time, but they often just read the appropriate answer.
How do people know what to ask?
There are three envelopes at each table, one for each round of questioning. Each envelope contains a list of questions for that round, along with the pertinent evidence for that round.
Are these events appropriate for children?
Well... they're not inappropriate. Suspect roles are definitely for adults, but we've had preteens and teens attend as detectives and have a great time.
WANT TO PLAY AS A DETECTIVE?
Unless you sign up to play as a suspect, you'll play as a detective. THOUGH IT IS NOT NECESSARY, we encourage you to dress for the setting of the party! For instance, the setting of Murder on the Sagebrush Express is the Wild West! As the mystery progresses, you'll get lists of questions to ask the suspects, and the Lead Detective will let you in on evidence discoveries--there will even be pieces of evidence for you to examine. Then, after all the questions have been answered, all the evidence presented and examined, you can use your critical thinking skills to figure out who murdered the victim.
WANT TO PLAY AS A SUSPECT?
HOW IT WORKS: After you purchase your ticket(s), click the appropriate 'Sign up to play as a suspect' button on the confirmation page. You'll be taken to a Google Sheet where you can peruse the available characters and add your name to one that interests you. You do not have to stick with any gender! We'd LOVE for you to dress the part! On the day before the event, we'll send you two different versions of short answers (Innocent and Guilty) to three questions (we'll have these printed in a booklet for you the night of the event, as well) FOR YOUR EYES ONLY. You can memorize word for word, but paraphrasing is absolutely fine as long as you get the important points. On the night of the event, you'll draw a slip of paper with either a number or an X on it--you'll keep that utterly secret, too. An X means you're the murderer and you'll answer questions with the Guilty versions.
Suspect Descriptions
| Bo Legged - Cowhand for hire. You're looking forward to a little rest and relaxation. |
| Broylan Sunn - Rail worker who helped build the tracks. You're seeing how your work turned out. |
| Bucky the Kid - Train robber. Newest member of One-Eyed Jo's gang, showing off your skills. |
| Carrie D. Waye - Saloon dancer. You love, love, LOVE your work. |
| Cordy Honest - Piano and accordion player. You're entertaining the guests on the train. |
| Delmafore Aces - Professional gambler. You're hoping to find a fresh game in Whiskey Junction. |
| Doctor K. Wax - Traveling salesman. Heading back to Whiskey Junction with a fresh supply of snake oil. |
| Dropsy Gunn - Member of One-Eyed Jo's gang. Proving your mettle. |
| Dusty B. Waylon - Cowhand for hire. You're heading to Whiskey Junction to audition your singing & guitar. |
| Fillmore Shots - Owner of WJ Saloon. You're riding the train to keep a close eye on your saloon dancers. |
| Grits Grubby - Gold prospector. You heard there's some easy pickins near Whiskey Junction. |
| Lottie Flounce - Saloon dancer. You love to talk with anyone about anything— except your past. |
| Lucky Loder - Gold prospector who makes foolish choices. You're headed back to your claim near Whiskey Junction. |
| Mayor Pompey - Mayor of Whiskey Junction. You're headed home after some business in Sagebrush. |
| Miss Ima Prigg- Schoolmarm. Heading to a new job in Whiskey Junction. |
| Newin Towne - New arrival from back East. You heard Whiskey Junction is the place to see and be seen. |
| One-Eyed Jo - Leader of an outlaw gang. You're here to rob the train and get away with loads of loot. |
| Puncheon Tickitz - Conductor on this train. You're heading back to home and family in Whiskey Junction. |
| Tinny Starr - Sheriff of Whisky Junction. You're heading home after escorting a prisoner to Sagebrush. |
| Trent Trusty - Officer in the US Cavalry. You're hoping for a little rest between rescue missions. |
NYE at LWA- Murder on the Sagebrush Express
