The Season

Sixteen nights, sixteen women, every one an AI character in a city that never stops raining. Read a lobby card, or go down to the programme and open a night.

Show the whole season

Vivian Sable between reels Vivian, 45 AI Nightclub owner NIGHT ONE. The rain has not let up since March and the club is full. Read her lobby card ♥ Lilith Montefiore between reels Lilith, 36 AI Jewel appraiser NIGHT NINE. A loupe, a velvet cloth and a stone that is not what it seems. Read her lobby card ♥ Hollis Wray between reels Hollis, 47 AI Harbour inspector NIGHT ELEVEN. A manifest is open on the desk and a line is underlined. Read her lobby card ♥ Genevieve Lorne between reels Genevieve, 43 AI City councillor NIGHT THIRTEEN. A councillor’s office with the blinds drawn at noon. Read her lobby card ♥ Minette Ashford between reels Minette, 24 AI Hat-check clerk NIGHT TWELVE. A hat-check ticket, number forty, and a coat that is too heavy. Read her lobby card ♥ Katarina Dolan between reels Katarina, 28 AI Chemist's assistant NIGHT SIXTEEN. The back room of a chemist’s shop, lit by a single lamp. Read her lobby card ♥ Beverly Quist between reels Beverly, 55 AI Retired madam NIGHT EIGHT. A porch light on a street that has forgotten its name. Read her lobby card ♥ Una Rook between reels Una, 35 AI Locksmith NIGHT FIFTEEN. A locked door, a set of picks and a woman humming. Read her lobby card ♥ Ruby Castellan between reels Ruby, 27 AI Torch singer NIGHT FIVE. The singer closes her set and does not leave the stage. Read her lobby card ♥ Cass Rourke between reels Cass, 33 AI Insurance investigator NIGHT TWO. A man in a wet raincoat is waiting at the desk. Read her lobby card ♥ Orla Brandreth between reels Orla, 41 AI Precinct detective NIGHT SIX. The interview room has one chair too many. Read her lobby card ♥ Mara Benedek between reels Mara, 52 AI Disbarred lawyer NIGHT FOUR. A disbarred lawyer lights a cigarette under a streetlamp. Read her lobby card ♥

The Programme

Sixteen nights printed like a one-sheet, three lines each: the opening shot of one woman’s night. Sift by district and temper, then screen a night and her chat opens on the shot as your opener. The whole page is typed, and her lobby portrait sits overhead.

Lantern Row · ColdNIGHT ONE. The rain has not let up since March and the club is full.The lie is always better, she says, and orders you a drink.Tell her something false and see whether she can tell.Vivian Sable Screen Gasworks · TenseNIGHT TWO. A man in a wet raincoat is waiting at the desk.I have your file, says the woman behind it, and it is thick.Page nine concerns a boat. Do you want to start there?Cass Rourke Screen Pier Nine · WryNIGHT THREE. A pen scratches in the dark at the end of the pier.I sign your name for fun, she says, and holds up the proof.It is a better signature than yours. What do you do?Delia Oyama Screen Brass Hill · WistfulNIGHT FOUR. A disbarred lawyer lights a cigarette under a streetlamp.One more case, she says, and it is the one that finished her.Hold the umbrella and listen. Hear her out.Mara Benedek Screen Velvet Court · WistfulNIGHT FIVE. The singer closes her set and does not leave the stage.I sing what I cannot say, she tells the empty room.There is one seat still occupied. Is it yours?Ruby Castellan Screen Cinder Street · TenseNIGHT SIX. The interview room has one chair too many.Sit, says the detective. This will take a while.She puts a photograph on the table, face down.Orla Brandreth Screen Harbour Mile · WryNIGHT SEVEN. A notebook, a tide table and a name crossed out twice.Off the record is where I live, says the reporter.Give her something real and she will give you something back.Noor Vasseur Screen Orchard Lane · WistfulNIGHT EIGHT. A porch light on a street that has forgotten its name.I know everyone’s business, she says warmly. Including yours.Come in. The kettle is on, and so are the files.Beverly Quist Screen Tin Quarter · ColdNIGHT NINE. A loupe, a velvet cloth and a stone that is not what it seems.Everything has a flaw, she says, and looks up at you.Show me yours. I appraise honestly.Lilith Montefiore Screen Saltmarket · WryNIGHT TEN. The cab waits at the kerb with its engine running.Get in, she says. I know a shortcut.The meter is off. That should worry you more than it does.Estela Gil Screen Quay End · TenseNIGHT ELEVEN. A manifest is open on the desk and a line is underlined.I read every manifest, including the lies, says the inspector.Yours has one. She wants to know why you signed it.Hollis Wray Screen Foundry Row · WryNIGHT TWELVE. A hat-check ticket, number forty, and a coat that is too heavy.Everything passes through my hands, says the clerk.She would like to know what is in the pocket.Minette Ashford Screen Harrow Bridge · ColdNIGHT THIRTEEN. A councillor’s office with the blinds drawn at noon.I can make a problem disappear, she says. For a price.Name the problem. Then name what you can afford.Genevieve Lorne Screen Raincross · WistfulNIGHT FOURTEEN. A pawn shop bell, a glass counter and a watch you remember.Nothing here is for sale, says the owner, except everything.She slides the watch across. What is it worth to you?Inez Okwuosa Screen Old Mint · WryNIGHT FIFTEEN. A locked door, a set of picks and a woman humming.Doors do not keep secrets from me, she says.She is already inside. Follow her, or knock.Una Rook Screen Glass Docks · TenseNIGHT SIXTEEN. The back room of a chemist’s shop, lit by a single lamp.I mix things, says the assistant. Sometimes I mix people up.Tell her which one you are tonight.Katarina Dolan Screen