 Last
Train To Paris
the Nazis are invading Paris. Transportation
out of the capital is impossible—the roads are a tangled
mass of citizens desperately attempting to escape the city
before the invasion. I, a royal refugee, have been driven to
Paris by German troops advancing toward my land. Just when
hope seems lost, an invitation from a mysterious stranger
arrives, admitting me aboard the Private Pullman Car,
“Desire,” which is attached to a military train scheduled
for departure to the south of France. It is imperative that
I, Princess Idelle Chattre, the sole surviving heir of the
great and noble Nonnes Taupe Chattre family, am allowed to
escape from Paris—and the hands of the Nazis. Upon boarding
the train, I learn I am but one of seven passengers, all of
whom, like me, are eager to leave Paris behind. Joining me
on board is a well-traveled businessman, a mysterious man of
society, an American journalist, a British bomber pilot, a
French perfume king’s daughter, a young duke and a Paris
dressmaker. My desire to be left quietly alone aboard this
travelling refuge is crushed immediately by the inconvenient
announcement that a murder has occurred and we are all
suspects to be kept under military guard while an
investigation is undertaken. Imagine! A princess accused of
a crime as base and vile as murder! What is this? A bad
Hitchcock episode? The Twilight zone? Actually, this happens
to be my occupation of choice for the evening.
While this may seem an unfortunate turn of events for an
evening, it is quite the opposite. I placed myself in this
situation purposely and spent an incredible evening with
friends (and enemies) at the Gibson Mansion Bed and
Breakfast.
 The
Gibson Mansion welcomes and invites travelers to “experience
a piece of Missoula’s history and step back in time to enjoy
a bygone era of comfort and grace.” Originally built in 1903
for Swedish immigrant and early Missoula Pharmacist Gustav
Peterson, the mansion was designed by Montana Architect A.
J. Gibson. Gibson’s architecture is common in western
Montana as he designed more than 50 and possibly as many as
150 private and public buildings during the late 19th and
early 20th centuries including the Daly Mansion near
Hamilton, the Missoula County Courthouse, Hellgate
Highschool and the University of Montana Main Hall. The
Gibson Mansion has been painstakingly remodeled by Tom and
Nancy Malikie. The Malikie’s bought the Gibson Mansion in
February of 2001 with the intention of creating a bed and
breakfast.
Upon stepping inside, the great attention to detail and
preservation by the Malikies is apparent. Victorian elegance
melds with the modern world. Period décor beckons the
visitor, offering an escape from the present day. A grand
oak staircase winds its way past stained glass windows to
four guest rooms, each with its own private bath and each
crowned with an iron bed topped by a down comforter. If it’s
possible to pull yourself away from the splendor inside,
guests will find the outside offers just as much escape as
the interior. A beautifully landscaped lawn dotted with
flowered islands of retreat welcome those looking for a
relaxing spot. Savor the shade on a summer’s day while
sitting in the gazebo overlooking the landscape.
My reason for arriving at the Gibson Mansion this evening,
though, is not (unfortunately) to relax in one of their
beautiful guestrooms or sit amongst the flowers (they were
frozen during my wintertime visit anyway). I have arrived as
a dinner guest for a Murder Mystery, just one of the many
services provided by the Malikies. Mysteries are available
October through April at the Gibson Mansion. They are a
fantastic way to spend an evening in Missoula, especially
when winter snows and spring rains tend to force us away
from the hiking trails. Murder mysteries can either be
planned with seven of your friends, or the Malikie’s can
find other guests to fill the roles. Guest lists are mailed
out before the event providing your character, a brief
profile of all guests involved and a synopsis of the setting
for the evening. With four mysteries to choose from and
several more in the works, options abound. This evening I
find myself
 in
the garb and character of a French princess surrounded by
several shady, disreputable characters—obviously murderers.
As the evening progresses, clues surface and accusations fly
as guilt and innocence are ultimately established.
Throughout the unfolding of the murder mysteries, each
character attempts to protect him or herself while
incriminating others—no lying allowed. Evasion and changes
of subject are the tactics of choice in avoiding capture and
solving the crime. While this would be a wonderfully fun way
in and of itself to spend an evening, the
pièce-de-résistance is a full course dinner, starting with
delectable appetizers that are followed by a Gorgonzola
Steak or Coq au Vin dinner and finished with the
appropriately named and dangerously decadent, Death by
Chocolate cake. The mystery continues throughout the dinner
as guests, still in their respective characters, learn more
about each other and gather evidence. Incriminations,
accusations and new evidence build until, finally, guilt is
established and the guilty party is led away by the
Inspector played by our host Mr. Malikie. .
But, why allow the evening to end there? Book a room at
Gibson’s B&B and relax in one of the four magnificent
guestrooms. Awake with the fresh smell of coffee and scones
waiting outside your door. After savoring the first fruits
of the morning, follow your stomach downstairs where an
incredible “wreck-your-diet” breakfast waits. Experience the
joys of escape while still in town.
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