Newsies and Bootblacks will come with a handful of interesting locations which, I hope, will be useful in your own adventures or inspire you to create your own. Let me stress this: there is no standard setting in this game, no norm from which you could deviate. If you like the background material as it would be published, then choose it. If you’d rather play on a historical New York, your local town or a city of your own imagination, by all means, do.
The structure of the N&B “locations” is quite simple. First, comes a description, then, then I suggest where in New Paris the location should be placed. Finally, I list the rumors associated with it. Non Player Characters, notes and special rules might be listed too.
Rumors are graded, as most everything in N&B, from A to E; with A meaning a sure thing and E almost a fantasy. The N&B Game-Master may choose which of the rumors are true or false or else they may roll on a table, which would be soon be displayed on the rules draft.
In any case it’s all quite similar to Newsies and Pickpockets, the primitive version of this game. So, if you are really interested in more details, you can find those there. Anyway, without any further ado, let me get to business.
The Midnight Café
Description.
The Midnight Café guest enters through a narrow oak door to discover a small hall fashioned with a fountain. There he will be welcomed by a barefoot page dressed like the prince of an orientalist painting (though in cheap fabrics), who will offer to guard their coats, hats and shoes.
Once inside, the Midnight Café looks, at first sight, just like any other New Paris café: two rows of square tables and a bar, only with an oriental theme.
Yet, a curious guest might notice the rather plain stairs which lead to the second level. Once there, the newcomer should be ready for a surprise. The whole level is empty but for a long and narrow low table which spirals whimsically throughout the room in the shape of a serpent. Guests, and even staff on occasion, sit crosslegged by it on the rich carpets and calmly converse. It is not strange here to find a chimney sweep speaking to the son of a lawyer, nor a young gentleman spending time with an old porter. Once in a while you will find somebody standing to share a story, a song, play an instrument or show some piece of art.
The third level, closed to guests, is where the staff lives. Rooms are small but cozy, with ample common space, all decorated in the most mundane fashion.
Location:
The Midnight Café should be located in Western Gate, in some off the way alley; yet it would not be out of place in Concordia or even in the Inner Expanses.
Rumors:
It is said you can only find the Midnight Café by chance, on a rainy day. Grade D.
Those who cannot pay by any other means can still eat a basic meal and some hot beverage, provided that they spend a few hours working. Grade C.
Angels, in disguise, enter the world through a trapdoor on the second level. Grade E.
Everybody is welcomed in the Midnight Café. Grade B
A sinister cult runs the Midnight Café. Grade C.
A philanthropic society runs the Midnight Café. Grade C.
Final Notes
As you can see, I don’t intend to provide a minute description of everything and all little thing down to the last lamppost, Instead, I prefer to supply your imagination with the tools it needs to create a fantastic — pun intended — location. Once you have a few ideas it’s easy to improvise, even on the spot. Try it!