Meeting Minutes

Back to Emma's Office

Present: Simon Tinsley, Frank Churchill, Shirley Johnson, Mr. Tinsley Sr., Chester Vyse, and Emma Knytleigh.

Simon: Well, Segovia T.V. has asked if they can film some awful mini-series here. It’s about missing the bus to London or something like that.

Emma: What do they want to do?

Simon: I don’t have the details yet. But it would put us on the map, bring in lots of money. If Stoney Grove is going to become a major site we need publicity. Look at Castle Howard. Brideshead did wonders for that place.

Chester: Is this the best way to go about getting publicity? Why don’t we just do some marketing?

Frank: I don’t think they want a film crew poking around their house.

Simon: Frank?

Emma: Oh, God. He’s hearing his voices again.

Frank: They’re not MY voices. They’re William Blake’s and Mary Beadle’s and Hope Hall’s and, well, even Monty is against it.

Shirley: You heard Monty?

Frank: Yes. He doesn’t like the thought of filming going on here. Too much noise and disruption. And he doesn’t think Eleanor would like it either.

Simon: Great. So the dead veto it. Suppose they feel they’ve already missed the bus, so what’s the point?

Frank: Taxi. It’s not a bus, it’s a taxi. Last Taxi to Kensington.

Simon: Whatever. Other thoughts? We’ve had an increase in visitors this week. Did we get any response from the story in the Gazette asking for volunteer guides?

Emma: No. I think they were all rather off put by the Red Covers letter and your abuse.

Tinsley Snr: I could give tours.

Simon: What do you know about this place?

Tinsley Snr: Well, I live here, don't I? Just what am I supposed to be doing here? I thought maybe I could sit in one of the rooms and talk to the visitors. Play old games or something. I like games.

Simon: It's an idea. But no gambling. I'm not having you fleecing the tourists.

Emma: Simon, I think we should concentrate on the history here. Did you know we just found a safe in Basil’s room? We haven’t opened it yet but Jerry said the basil told him it could be "opened by the grace of a gentleman who played here". Of course Jerry had no clue what that meant.

Shirley. What, have you been talking to Jerry again? I don’t want him mentioned. This may be all history to you my girl, but it’s some of our lives.

Emma: I know that, but history's always someone’s life. John's part of this too, isn't he?

Shirley: Well I don’t want you muckraking and I don’t want you talking to John. He’s a nice boy, he is.

Simon: OK, enough. I’ll get with the TV crowd, although frankly I think the medium’s on it’s last legs. Dad, we’ll add you to the tour rotation. Let’s get that safe open. We bought the existing contents with the house you know, so if it’s money it’s mine!

Emma: And Ann’s.

Simon: Oh, right. Well, ‘til next time.

Chester: If I could just mention... perhaps I could be of assistance. I understand the engineering of these old locks, you know.  I'll be doing some work in Basil's room anyway, so it won't be an inconvenience.

Simon: Fine. Just get the damn thing open. Cheerio.

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