Last Updated: January 2, 2004 by Blake Sorensen
The character of Colin MacGregor is © 2003-2004 Blake Sorensen, and may not be used without permission.
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St. Genesius Cultural Center was, at one point a covent school (1945 - 1976). It closed in 1976 after funding ran out and enrollment dwindled, and the building stood empty for nearly a decade. In 1985, Patricia Tanner and her husband, then-city councilman Martin Tanner, purchased the building and began renovations. Their plan was to turn into a cultural haven for the city - allowing for community theatrical events, independant label concerts, etc. Renovation costs were in the tens of millions and though the Tanner family was wealthy, they could not shoulder the financial burden alone. They held fund-raising dinners and solicited donations from every big business in the state, but even so, volunteers completed most of the work on building. With the various delays, it was four more years until the Center was ready to hold its first event. In June 1989, St. Genesius opened its doors to the public for a city-sponsored production of Noel Coward's Blithe Spirit.
The Center was a success for several years, but in 1994, Patricia Tanner died (natural causes) and Martin, never an enthusiastic supporter of the arts himself, focused more on bringing industry to the city. The Center came under fire several times from groups hoping to change the name (a "St. Genesius" center funded by the state in any capacity smacked of a church and state connection), and in 1997, the Center held one last fund-raiser to survive another season. The show - a Halloween night production of MacBeth - drew in the biggest crowd the center had seen, but the show stopped at intermission. Evidently, the actress playing Lady MacBeth disappeared after stepping outside for a cigarette. The Center closed the following weekend.
Over the ensuing years, St. Genesius was battered down by a barrage of rumors. The neighboorhood became run down and crime-ridden, and most of the local residents believe the place haunted. Books and "reality" TV shows featured the center several times, and though there are many reports of noises, flashing lights and other classic haunting activities, investigators never found proof of these allegations. Six weeks ago, an independent contractor purchased the land and planned to raze the Center, but after two workers disappeared on site, the contractor approached Orpheus about investigating St. Genesius.
Orpheus sent four agents to investigate (two sleepers -- Elise Motts and George Hansen; one skimmer -- Thomas Ulrich; one photographer -- Benjamin Savoy). They entered the Center together, Savoy and Ulrich "solid". Motts and Hansen as ghosts. Ten minutes later, back at Orpheus, both Motts and Hansen's bodies suddenly shook and the equipment keeping them in stasis began malfunctioning. Orpheus began the revival process, but it was clear something was wrong; Orpheus contacted Ulrich through his cellular, and Ulrich left his body. He went in as a ghost to find Motts and Hansen wihile Savoy waited. Again, ten minutes later Ulrich's body went into convulsions. Savoy reports that Ulrich's flesh became ice-cold to the touch and his pulse dropped dramatically. This lasted for approximately 30 seconds, after which Ulrich died. No contact with Ulrich, Motts or Hansen has been possible since, and although Savoy survived, he saw something that terrified him beyond reason. He remains rational, but refuses to go back to St. Genesius for any reason. When questioned, he refers to a "woman in white" before mumbling incoherently.
The obvious assumption is that the "woman in white" is the spirit of the actress who played Lady MacBeth, since the Center had no history of paranormal activity prior to that. The actress (Regina White b.1970, declared legally dead 2002) was a local; her family still lives in the area, but has thus far declined interview.
St. Genesius consists of one large building and a smaller one that once housed a chapel. The first floor of the main building holds classrooms and the theatre itself (seating 1,000 people). The basement holds old set materials, dressing rooms, a scene shop and storage (the basement is where most of the classic haunting activity has occured). The second floor holds small bedrooms that once housed students, and were used as office during the Center's heyday as a theatre. The third floor consists of very small, narrow hallways leading above the stage onto catwalks (used to hang lights and curtains), as well as a light and sound booth.
Obviously, the primary objective is determining Ulrich's, Motts' and Hansen's fates. Determine if they still exist and whether they can be salvaged (Ulrich's body is dead; we couldn't save it, but we can still conceivably return Motts and Hansen to their bodies). Also, determine the nature of the "woman in white" and any other spiritual entities in the Center. Assume any ghosts you see are hostile, and use extreme caution when investigating the area. Under no circumstances should your crucible split up; remain together at all times. This will slow down your investigation, but will also ensure greater safety.
When you have ascertained the fate of our agents, deliver them to the facility for debriefing and any aid we can provide. At this time, no action against spiritual entities is warranted or necessary; the client retained Orpheus Group to investigate, not fumigate the premises. There is no need to risk yourself unnecessarily.
Most of the information we have is provided above. Investigation into Regina White's missing persons report might prove useful, as might a conversation with her living family (though as mentioned, they have thus far refused comment -- they are deeply religious and do not believe in ghosts). Savoy might still have information, but has not provided any coherent answers about the incident.
When investigating St. Genesius, be aware that the building is in serious need of repair. The electricity works, but intermittently, and the flooring and walls are weak and crubling. The building is dangerous enough without adding ghosts; if you plan on sending in a "solid" agent, use extreme caution.
While we have no paranormal activity reported at the Center prior to 1997, it bears noting that the building sat empty for nine years and we have no information on what may have transpired during that time (in fact, even records concerning the building's proprietor in that period have proven impossible to track down; the assumption is that the city owned the property and simply didn't develop it). Martin Tanner is probably the most knowledgeable person alive with regards to the Center; he is currently retired and living in his family home (address in attached packet). While Tanner is a businessman and not given to belief in the supernatural, he has on occasion consented to interviews about the Center and so, might be of some help.
Saint Genesius is the patron saint of thieves, sinners and actors. Why the convent's founding nuns chose him is unknown.
Last Updated: January 2, 2004 by Blake Sorensen
The character of Colin MacGregor is © 2003-2004 Blake Sorensen, and may not be used without permission.
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