Please read the overview and all the descriptions of the suspects before the party. Sometimes we hide clues in these descriptions.

Overview

It’s the City Girls High Class reunion. They all finished school together. But because they all grew up in a big city, this isn’t a normal timid little “girls’ school” reunion. They are all pretty streetwise. The reunion was to be held in City Cross (commonly known as ‘The Cross’) in the inner city near their old school. But evil has struck. Which of these ladies murdered the classmate who didn’t make it to the party? Yes – who did murder that card carrying skeptic and determined winner of every argument – Helen?

The suspects

The people present at the meeting are:

Wendy

I’m a long-range weather forecaster. I read clouds and tell their future. I’m the nation’s top weather forecaster. I’m even in the newspaper. I’ve known Helen since kindergarten. She used to always pull my braids. We were friends at elementary, but since high school we drifted apart. She hung out with the brainy kids. I hung out with the hip kids even though I was pretty brainy. Even at high school, everyone knew I had talent. I used to earn money predicting the weather for some farming friends even then. Once I remember, Helen came with some of her friends to find out my weather prediction for the next football match. Even then she was out to prove me wrong. I told her that it would rain so much the game would be postponed. She burst into tears. And it did rain. Of course, she never admitted I’d been right. Dress suggestions: Blue cloud colored clothes. Carry a barometer and/or thermometer and a weather map.

Petunia

I married a mega rich man and I just love my condominium by the beach. My parents were poor. My mother worked as a cleaner and my father worked as a barman. Sometimes when I’m lying back on the deck of my condo, I can’t believe that someone like Helen and I would have been high school buddies but we were. She was much smarter than I was, but I think she hung around me because I made her laugh. That’s what Artie, my husband says, I make him laugh too. But Helen and I had a dramatic bust up of our friendship when we were 16. I’d discovered boys and when Helen found out I had a boyfriend; she said she’d never talk to me again. I think she was jealous. Helen was a plain looker then and she still is. Sorry – was – until yesterday. Oh. I’m getting so mixed up. I’m not used to talking about the dead. Dress suggestions: Wealthy clothes, sequined and glittering or laid back and hip beach attire, maybe a kimono or a caftan.

Madelle

I’m the latest mega-bombshell – first I was a model, now I am a singer and soon I will be an actress – my fans love me. Helen and I met at elementary school. My parents had moved to the city from the country and we lived in an apartment two doors down from Helen. Helen and I spent a lot of time together trying to understand life. You know – we talked about our parents, our loves and so on. Of course we floated off into other circles at high school but we’d still pop around for a chat occasionally. When I turned 16, I won a beauty contest and my life changed. I got offered a modeling job after school and at weekends so I did it. I left school when I was 17, because they wanted me to go overseas modeling. I only saw Helen when I was home on holidays. Dress suggestions: Wild outrageous clothing like Madonna, maybe short shorts or short skirt. Think of a cross between Madonna and Elle and you’ll get the picture.

Mary

I stutter. I’m so shy that I never speak first and I have just inherited heaps of money and I haven’t a clue what to spend it on. H-H-Helen and I m-m-met at high school. I think she felt sorry for me because I was so shy. I was pretty bright, so we were in the same classes and so we talked a lot about our homework and stuff. Helen’s home life wasn’t too good because her parents had split up. Helen used to invite me to stay at her house a lot. Helen’s Mom was an executive in a big company. I really admired her. My Mom was just a housewife. Dress suggestions: Subdued clothing, well buttoned to the top, pastels and maybe a little lace.

Leonie

I have just had my 15th child and if God gives me another one I will have it too. Helen and I were friends from the beginning of elementary school but we weren’t as close at high school. My husband and I started dating when I was 13. I used to see him on my way home from school. I still love him – kook that he is. My husband and I were both from strong Catholic backgrounds. I wanted to marry Pete when I turned 15, but our parents wouldn’t hear of it, so I had to wait till I was 16. Soon after I married I became pregnant. I bumped into Helen around this time and her eyes nearly popped out of her head when she saw my big tummy. Dress suggestions: The usual mother’s attire of clothes with paint stains, dried up food, bits of old spaghetti stuck on, smiley faces drawn in lipstick, cross on a chain.

Angie

I’m a bikie chick who is so pushy I could sell lipstick to a nun. Now ya might ask how a dude like me came to mix with a square-head like Helen. Well, it was ‘cos our mothers were best friends. My Mom worked as a psychiatric nurse and she met Helen’s Mom at a writer’s group. Our Moms had some stupid idea that we should be friends too. But I was already way too cool for someone like Helen. I was already friends with a whole bikie gang. I tried to talk Helen into meeting them, but she freaked out and threatened to tell on me for spending time with them. I had to show her the more rough side of my nature to keep her trap shut. Dress suggestions: Bikie ‘Angry Angels’ leathers, torn jeans, motorbike helmet and bike rider padding, stick on some tattoos and you’re away.

Myrna

I am the chief executive of one of the nation’s largest corporations – oh and by the way – I am also married, when I get time to remember. Helen and I were both great at math and most subjects. Helen had gotten a bit into academic altruistic concepts. I think she was shocked when I said I planned to make it to the top and to make heaps of money. Both Helen and I weren’t into boys so much early on. Mainly because we both weren’t great lookers and the boys weren’t interested in us. I’ve since spent a lot of my money improving my appearance. Poor Helen didn’t. Even then, Helen had no concept of time. She was often late to class. I told her she wouldn’t get anywhere if she wasn’t punctual, but she ignored me. Dress suggestions: Someone who is very proper – you might consider a suit and accessories like a mobile phone, organizer, notebook computer, briefcase.

Sonia

I’m a true adventuress – my latest love is dancing with sharks and other sea creatures live on TV. I became friends with Helen at the squash courts, but even though she was into fitness, she was more into her books. She was such a wimp, such a chicken even then. I invited her to go rock-climbing with me one weekend. She agreed, but then she freaked out half way up a rock face. It took 2 hours to get her down. After that Helen declined all my invites. She wouldn’t go scuba diving with me and my Dad, so I had to find another friend who would. Helen joined the Girl Guides and so did I, so we met up again. But she never finished all her duties on account of her being terrified of heights. One time at a Girl Guide camp, Helen told on me because I went off and explored a fenced-off dangerous area. Dress suggestions: Swimwear or gym wear or a wet suit, lots of lycra, a few ropes strung around, snorkels or scuba diving gear in tow, toy plastic sharks as jewelry, close fitting gear.

Leelawati

I am a good Hindu Indian mother and I always lower my eyes when speaking with strangers. I am married to a used car salesman, so it’s just as well I lower my eyes. Helen and I met at high school. We were both good at science. I think Helen was interested in me because I was from such a different culture. Sometimes I invited Helen back to my family’s house, but I wasn’t allowed to visit hers. My parents were worried that Helen would corrupt me. I’ll always remember the gifts she gave me. She knew I loved jewelry and trinkets. Helen told me about her parents splitting up. I had trouble relating to it, because my parents had been married for years. I had been promised in marriage since I was a child so I knew I wouldn’t be allowed a career. But I studied anyway, because I enjoyed learning. Dress suggestions: Wear a sari (e.g. a long length of material or a sheet wrapped around you). You may add a red dot between your eyes. You may like to use tanning lotion to make your skin brown.

Diana

I’m a bouncy public relations officer for a football team – professionals, of course. Helen and I were elementary school friends, but not really high school buddies. I was too much of an extrovert and too much a social butterfly for Helen to catch in her net. But because I’d known Helen, I didn’t let any of my new friends make fun of her and I think she appreciated that. Of course, because of my organizational skills and popularity, I ended up school captain. Helen’s brother and I started dating. He was such a good looker, not like Helen. I think Helen couldn’t handle it having an old friend going out with her brother. She was always trying to start arguments with me to make me look like a bimbo or something to her brother, but he couldn’t care less. Dress suggestions: Football shirt, a football, face painted with the team’s colors, matching scarves and a camera and notepad.

Jillaroo

I’m a farmer. I can’t hack this city stuff. I’d prefer to hack into those thistles. I always wanted to study agriculture, but they didn’t offer it at City High, so I had to content myself with biology. I was always a bit of a tomboy. I still am. My grandfather had been a farmer and I knew it was in my genes to get back on the land. I spent a lot of my holidays at my Grandpa’s and one time I took Helen along. She liked it, but she couldn’t get the hang of riding a horse for the life of her. When my Grandpa cut up an old cow for a feast we were having, Helen threw up. I’d already killed lots of animals so it didn’t worry me. Death is a part of country life. Dress suggestions: Farmer gear, jeans, cowboy’s hat, check flannel shirt, bits of straw hanging out here and there.

The optional authorities

Other people that may make an appearance at the party include:

Police Sergeant Fiona – I’m a tough inner-city police cop. I used to see Helen around the Cross. I’m a tough no-nonsense cop. I love the power that comes with the uniform. Dress suggestions: Wear a mock police uniform. Carry some crime scene tape (make some out of paper with masking tape attached at the ends). Carry a notepad and pencil. Blue shirt, dark blue skirt, cardboard badge. Toy gun in holster on your waistband.

Pam Persistent – I am a police officer. I love solving puzzles. That’s why I became a police officer. I’m also great at cryptic crosswords. Dress suggestions: Wear a mock police uniform. Carry some crime scene tape (make some out of paper with masking tape attached at the ends). Carry a notepad and pencil.

Dr Virginnia Vitality – I am a police forensic specialist. I love the thrill of finding needles in haystacks. I won’t give up till I find what I want. Dress suggestions: Wear a lab coat and wear white gloves. Carry some clear plastic bags to collect evidence in.

Dr Elsie Eager – I am a police forensic specialist. I am a scientific whiz-kid. I know all the tricks of my trade. Dress suggestions: Wear a lab coat and wear white gloves. Carry some clear plastic bags to collect evidence in.

Lorrel Lutes – I am Helen’s lawyer. I am very up-to-date and very well-respected in my profession. I have been Helen’s lawyer for many years. Dress suggestions: Wear a suit and look very serious.

Katie Kissy – I work for the morgue. I do the makeup. This will probably the first time Helen has ever worn makeup. I thought I’d ask a few of her friends what would suit her personality. Dress suggestions: Wear very conservative black clothes and carry some makeup samples.

Dr Maggie Mally – I am a medical doctor. I have been Helen’s doctor for many years. I believe you can never have too many tests. I am a bit of a hypochondriac I suppose. Dress suggestions: Carry a black bag and any medical items you can obtain (eg thermometer).

Cynthia Skite – I am a newspaper journalist. I am very ruthless and pushy. I’m also always harassing the police for tip-offs. Dress suggestions: Business clothes. Carry a notepad and pen.

Hattie Herdit – I am a radio journalist. I’m an extrovert and very friendly. I like to play the game fairly and I get my info through my many friends. Dress suggestions: Business clothes. Carry a notepad and pen.

Judy Numero – I am Helen’s accountant. Helen always paid her taxes but she looked for loopholes in the tax laws just like everyone else. Dress suggestions: Wear a conservative business suit. Possibly add glasses.

The optional witnesses

Mary-Sue – I’m mega rich. I’m Petunia’s husband’s sister and I have come with them on this trip to celebrate my recent divorce. Dress suggestions: Wealthy clothes and lots of jewelry.

Vicki – I shared a house with Helen. I am a window dresser. I dress dummies really well, but unfortunately I am hopeless at dressing myself with any color coordination at all. Helen was always telling me to just wear black like everyone else, but I don’t like dark colors. Dress suggestions: Wear brightly colored clothes that don’t match.

Mrs Whiteknuckle – I taught the girls how to play recorders and piano in music. I am sure those skills have served them well in life. Dress suggestions: Conservative school teacher clothes.

Mrs Dimples – I taught the girls home skills such as cooking. I can tell by looking at them that none of them have cooked any of the wonderful recipes I taught them. Dress suggestions: Conservative school teacher clothes. Wear and apron and a cooking hat and carry a rolling pin.

Mrs Dreary – I taught the girls needlework. What a waste of time that was! They are all wearing the output of Chinese sweatshops rather than sewing any of their own garments. Dress suggestions: Conservative school teacher clothes. Carry a tape measure and needle and thread and a pin cushion. Try and take up the hem of some of the girls.

Miss Shinyshoes – I was the school principal when the girls were at school. I am retired now, although I still try and give the girls a lecture whenever I see them. I think they still need it. In their day the cane was still legal. I would give them all a go now but they’d arrest me for attacking them. Dress suggestions: Very conservative school teacher clothes. Make sure your black shoes are shiny. Carry a ruler or a cane.

Zoe – I am Helen’s little girl. I miss my Mommy although sometimes she was nasty to me and yelled at me. She wouldn’t let me play with dolls so this is my toy truck called “Barby”. Dress suggestions: Wear little girl clothes. Carry a little truck and hug it like a girl hugs a teddy bear.

Susie – I am Leonie’s little girl. I have lots of brothers and sisters but everyone loves me best because I’m cute. Dress suggestions: Wear little girl clothes and tie your hair in bangs (pony tails or pig tails) and wear ribbons in your hair.

Tania – I’m a barmaid at the Cross. I served Helen her last drink and it was a good one too – a “Cosmopolitan”. Dress suggestions: Wear a black skirt and a white blouse and an apron.