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

Overview

It’s Mardi Gras in New Orleans and the city is full of party-goers. The parade has just finished and the invitation-only Ball is about to commence. The only problem is that this year’s Rex King of the Mardi Gras – a local property developer called Darrin Hibiscus – hasn’t been seen since he went up the steps of Gallier Hall to collect the keys to the city.

The Mayor waited in vain in his office, but the king never appeared. His wife, the Queen waited for him to pass by, but he never did.

Where has he gone? Has he been kidnapped? It’s your job to find out.

Suspect character descriptions

The suspects present at the party are:

Adoette

I am one of the Mardi Gras Indians. My native Indian name means large tree, that’s why I have some twigs coming out of my Indian squaw costume. My ancestors are from the Yellow Pocahontas tribe. I work in a dress boutique. Dress suggestions: Wear a squaw costume with feathers and beads but also include some twigs coming out of it.

Pierre

I am a direct descendent of the French-Canadian explorer, Jean Baptiste Le Moyne Sieur de Bienville – the one who found land south of New Orleans in 1699 and called it “Pointe due Mardi Gras.” I live in the French quarter of New Orleans. I just watched the parade go by. I am a draftsman by trade. Dress suggestions: Wear a beret and a cape and don’t let anyone call you Peter.

Maid Coralie

I am a maid on the Krewe of Rex. Our Krewe is one of the oldest and our colors of purple, green and gold are now the official mardi gras colors. And we started giving out the collectible doubloon coins in 1960. I am a nurse in real life. Dress suggestions: Wear fancy purple, green and gold clothes and carry some chocolate coins to hand out to whomever you meet. Wear a biggish hat that looks stuffed full of something.

Captain of the Carnival (Culley)

I am the absolute leader of the carnival organization team and leader of the parade. In real life I am an accountant and believe me sometimes I find working with people much harder than working with numbers and receipts. Dress suggestions: Wear an elaborate colorful hat with a feather at the top, matching tasseled trousers and shirt and a red beard and, if possible, a crooked red nose.

Zinnia

I’m on the Zulu Krewe. I’m an environmentalist. Normally I work in an organic Permaculture nursery. The good thing about living in New Orleans is that everything grows well in this warm climate. Dress suggestions: Wear a white t-shirt with an Hawaiian grass skirt. Carry a coconut.

Fitz

I carried the flambeaux (Naphtha-fueled torches) at the parade. I work at a hardware store during the day, but I’m a cool dude at night. Dress suggestions: Wear a white robe and carry one torch in each hand (or just carry flashlights).

Dr Babs

I’m a physician and I was on the Knights of Babylon Krewe. Our Krewe was founded in 1939. Our king, or Sargon, takes his title from the legendary Babylonian ruler. But he wasn’t the king of the actual carnival this year unfortunately. Our parade route went mainly down St Charles Avenue this year. Dress suggestions: Wear a flamboyant colorful outfit. Carry a bag full of bandages and other first aid items.

Mayor Norwell

I am the current mayor of New Orleans. I think the Mardi Gras is great for the city as it brings lots of visitors and keeps us alive and vibrant. And nowadays there are lots of volunteers to help with the clean up afterwards so even that’s not a problem. I just wish I hadn’t eaten so many king cakes at the party at Gallier Hall. Dress suggestions: Dress in a suit and tie and carry something that looks like a King Cake.

Duchess Dinah

I one of the ladies that works on all the committees for various charities around New Orleans. I’m lucky to have inherited some money to live on, so I like to give back by giving my time. Dress suggestions: Wear a grand glittering outfit complete with a tiara.

Wise Man Goldwin

I dressed as the wise man carrying gold during the parade. I run a jewelry store downtown and I feel very attached to the soft warm metal that it is. Dress suggestions: Wear a hat and Arabic men’s outfit. Wear lots of golden chains and carry some gold bars (or representations of them).

Optional investigator character description

Police Chief – I’m in charge of the Police in New Orleans. I have a lot of extra Police on duty during the parade so I can’t explain how something like this could possibly have happened. Dress suggestions: Wear a uniform and carry a notebook and pen.

Optional witnesses character descriptions

Boeuf – I am a fax ox. A bunch of masked cooks chase me around. They say I am a symbol of the feasting on “Fat Tuesday” before the austerity of Lent. Dress suggestions: Wear white clothes and attach some horns to your head. If you want, you can also have some cow-bells tied around your neck.

Chef Julia – I am a masked French chef. I chase the ox who is fat and ready to eat. Cooking it is a symbol of the feasting on “Fat Tuesday” before the austerity of Lent. Dress suggestions: Wear white clothes and a chef’s hat. Carry a meat-testing fork or meat thermometer.

Pa Rum Pum Pum – I am a little drummer boy in the Rex marching band. I can really hold a good beat and I am one of the best in our band. Dress suggestions: Wear a marching band uniform and carry a drum. Sing “Little Drummer Boy”.

Renata – I play the recorder in our band. Sometimes people lose their place in the music when they are moving along, but I never do. The tunes are part of my every step. Dress suggestions: Wear a marching band uniform and carry a recorder.

Percy The Page – I am one of the young men who assist the King on his journey through the city. Darrin has had me running errands all day long. I’m exhausted. Dress suggestions: Wear a page’s uniform.

Trixie – I am one of the masked riders on each float during the parade. I throw beads, doubloons, and other trinkets to the crowd.  Dress suggestions: Wear a mask and an elaborate, colorful costume.

Magnus – I am the scariest masked rider on any of the floats. I throw beads, doubloons, and other trinkets to the crowd, but the little kids run away rather than receive them from me.  Dress suggestions: Wear a scary mask and an elaborate, colorful costume.

Zelda – I am one of the many poor peasant wenches at the Mardi Gras. Give me a nickel and I’ll dance in a spiral, till I fall down. Dress suggestions: Wear a poor peasant costume.

The Purple Lieutenant – I am one of His Majesty the King’s lieutenants. Dress suggestions: Wear a purple gold-trimmed uniform.

The Green Lieutenant – I am one of His Majesty the King’s lieutenants. Dress suggestions: Wear a green gold-trimmed uniform.

The Gold Lieutenant – I am one of His Majesty the King’s lieutenants. Dress suggestions: Wear a golden gold-trimmed uniform.

Penny The Puritan – I come from a previous era and I am dressed in a prim and proper way. I curtsey when I see the royal family. Dress suggestions: Wear a bonnet and a long skirt and a blouse buttoned up to the collar.

Jessie The Jester – I bring jokes and wit and sarcasm to the royal court. Through my merriment, I bring pleasure to everyone. Dress suggestions: Wear a colorful or black and white two-tone outfit. Wear a large soft hat with upturned corners.

Sassie The Show Girl – I have traveled from the stage shows at Los Vegas to be at the Mardi Gras. I sing and I dance and I know how to put on a show. Dress suggestions: Wear a flamboyant, glittering outfit with a large hat with many feathers.

Belinda The Banana – I am a piece of fruit that everyone loves. But I don’t like to be peeled, mashed or squashed. Dress suggestions: Wear yellow clothes or a banana costume. If you want, you can carry some banana.

Cleopatra – I am the last pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Some call me Queen of the Nile. I loved Julius Caesar, but after he was assassinated I came to love Mark Antony. Dress suggestions: Wear a long flowing gown and some Egyptian looking jewelry and an Egyptian looking headpiece (if available).

Sammy The Shark – I am the most feared member of the ocean. Dress suggestions: Wear a cardboard shape that looks like a shark’s mouth and jagged teeth. Add a black cardboard fin to your back.

Petra The Penguin – I like frolicking in the ocean and waddling around the Antarctic Circle with my friends. Dress suggestions: Wear a penguin costume or black and white clothes.

Carmen Miranda – I am a Portuguese-born, Brazilian samba singer. I became a Broadway actress and Hollywood film star in the 1940s and 1950s. Dress suggestions: Wear colorful flamboyant Latin dancer’s clothes and a fruit filled headpiece.