A 1927 M**der MYSTERY ON THE STATE LINE

Bristol, 1927.

It has been a remarkable year in the city that straddles Virginia and Tennessee.

The railroad is moving people, goods—and perhaps a few things that aren't supposed to be moving at all. Prohibition has created strange partnerships between Appalachian moonshiners and respectable businessmen. Money is changing hands. Old families are watching new fortunes rise. And after the historic recording sessions held in Bristol earlier that year, musicians, promoters and businessmen are wondering whether the sounds of Appalachia might be worth a fortune.

Against that backdrop, Bristol's newspaper is hosting The Bristol New Era Ball, a celebration of the people, music, commerce and excitement surrounding a changing city.

And you've been invited.

Dress for the occasion and step into 1927 Bristol as a businessman, flapper, musician, farmer, reporter, mobster, lawman, socialite, moonshiner, preacher—or one of dozens of other characters inspired by the people and professions that might have crossed paths in Bristol during the era.

But beneath the celebration, Bristol has secrets.

Money is missing.

Illegal liquor is moving through supposedly legitimate freight.

Questions are being raised about music and song rights in the wake of Bristol's recording boom.

Affairs are becoming harder to hide.

Debts are coming due.

And somewhere in town is rumored to exist a private ledger containing the business dealings, debts and secrets of some of Bristol's most prominent—and least reputable—citizens.

As the evening unfolds, the newspaper's investigation begins exposing connections some guests would very much prefer remain hidden.

Then someone is murdered.

And the ledger disappears.

Someone at the party is the killer.

Someone has the Ledger.

And nearly everyone has something to hide.

Welcome to...

M**der ON THE STATE LINE

Every guest receives a character with relationships, secrets, information and objectives. Throughout the evening you'll mingle with the other characters, exchange information, uncover scandals and attempt to determine what really happened.

You don't need acting experience. You don't need to memorize a script. And you don't need to be an expert on Bristol history. All you need is a willingness to play along.

CHOOSE YOUR LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT

During registration, you'll tell us how involved you'd like to be and we will send you a survey to determine what character might best fit for your level of involvement.

We'll use those selections to build the cast.

Character requests are preferences, not guarantees. Final assignments will be based on the needs of the mystery, registration order, attendance and creating the best overall cast.

Every ticket is the same price and every guest participates in the mystery.

PRINCIPAL CHARACTER

Put me in the middle of it.

Choose this option if you're outgoing, comfortable interacting with lots of people and wouldn't mind becoming one of the night's central personalities.

Principal characters have the deepest connections to the story, more secrets and objectives, and may occasionally be asked to make a short announcement, statement, confession or other small speaking part in front of the group.

You do not need acting experience or have to memorize lines. Anything important will be provided to you and it's not that serious!

Potential Principal character types include:

Powerful Businessman / Financier
Society Matriarch
Merchant / Civic Leader
Society Flapper
Investigative Reporter
Appalachian Farmer
Aspiring Recording Artist
Lawman
Doctor
Newspaper Editor / Publisher

Best for: “Give me secrets. Give me drama. Put me right in the middle of this thing.”

FEATURED CHARACTER

I want plenty to do without carrying the show.

Featured characters have meaningful connections to the central mystery and will interact with multiple guests throughout the evening.

You'll have secrets, gossip, objectives and information that other players need—but you're less likely to have a speaking role in front of the entire room.

Potential Featured character types include:

Mobster
Dancer / Flapper / Nightclub Entertainer
Moonshiner
Musician / Fiddler
Music Promoter
Out-of-Town Journalist
Railroad Worker
Banker or Bank Clerk
Attorney
Deputy
Preacher / Temperance Advocate
Society Columnist
Newspaper Photographer
Gambler / Bookmaker
Automobile Mechanic / Taxi Driver
Boardinghouse Proprietor
Undertaker

Best for: “I definitely want to play, mingle and have secrets—but don't make me give a speech.”

SOCIAL CHARACTER

Let me join the mystery without putting me on the spot.

Social characters are still fully part of the game. You'll receive a character, secrets, people to talk to and information to share, but your role will be easier to manage and won't require you to be at the center of the story.

This is perfect for first-time M**der-mystery players, quieter guests or anyone who wants to dress up, investigate and enjoy the party without having a lot of responsibility.

Potential Social character types include:

Speakeasy Proprietor
Hotel Manager
Barber
Cigarette Girl / Club Hostess
Traveling Salesman
Pharmacist / Druggist
General Store Owner
Coal or Lumber Merchant
Seamstress / Dressmaker
Beauty Parlor Owner
Piano Player / Bandleader
Song Collector / Folklorist
Telegraph Operator
Telephone Switchboard Operator
Political Candidate
Campaign Worker / Political Fixer
Schoolteacher / Local Historian
Prizefighter
Fortune Teller / Spiritualist

Best for: “I want a costume, a character and a mystery to solve—just don't put a spotlight on me.”

WHAT TO EXPECT

6:30 PM — Check-In & The New Era Ball Begins
Get into character, grab food and drinks, meet the other citizens of 1927 Bristol and start figuring out who's who.

7:00-7:30 PM — The Interactive Mystery Begins
Character objectives, secrets, gossip and questionable business dealings start circulating as guests interact in character and set the tone for the party.

The Newspaper Exposé
As the evening unfolds, a special edition of the newspaper begins revealing things certain people desperately wanted kept quiet.

M**der!
One of the prominent guests becomes the victim

The Investigation
Talk to everyone. Compare stories. Follow the money. Find out who is lying about things that aren't on their cards. Discover who took the missing ledger and determine who committed M**der.

Around 9:00 PM — Final Accusations, Solution & Awards

Then the New Era Ball continues with drinks, music, dancing and socializing until 11 PM.

COSTUMES

Costumes are strongly encouraged.

You do not need to purchase an expensive costume.

Period-inspired is enough.

AWARDS

BEST DETECTIVE — Best overall solution to the M**der and missing ledger.

BEST COSTUME — Best 1927-inspired look.

BEST IN CHARACTER — most enthusiastic and entertaining character portayal

$25 Axe & Ale House gift cards for each winner!