Rene + Lucia: Bay Port fish sandwich mystery

 

Lucia, Rene and Herb Ritts’ crew, who arrive in Bay Port, Michigan, are there to conduct a photoshoot lauding Lulus latest collection of leather jackets for the upcoming autumn months. The attire, selected by our two exquisite models, personify the best of the Lulus brand. The photoshoot also plays out a “Rene the Sleuth” mystery story. Rene, who plays a private detective, is called in to find out who stole the Bay Port Fish Sandwich recipe. Lucia plays a Bay City detective and performers from a local community theater group, the suspects. 

Bay Port Inn

Lucia and Herb Ritts’ crew got up early this morning. In the SUV, Rene reads about the history of the Fish Sandwich Festival. Henry Engelhard, who was an employee of the Bay Port Fish Company, came up with a Fish Sandwich to sell to ongoing travelers. The proceeds would help cover the costs of sending his kid to university. “His sales,” as Rene read in www.secondwavemedia.com, “grew so much over the years that in 1978 it became the Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival.” Lucia, as she sips on a cup of dark rich coffee, reads over the synopsis of the story “The Bay Port Fish Sandwich Mystery.” She learns that Engelhard’s recipe, which was locked away at the office of the Bay Port Fish Company, has been taken by some nefarious entity.

They arrive at the Bay Port Inn. There, Lucia and Rene meet with their fellow performers for the “Bay Port Fish Sandwich Mystery” saga.  As Harry and Maria prepare our two enchanting models, Herb explains each sequence of the story. He also gives them a rundown of each potential suspect they will encounter in the tale. There is Jack, a disgruntled chef who was fired from his job at a well-established restaurant in Bay City. The only job he could find was at a local diner in Caseville. Then there is Emily, Jack’s girlfriend. Emily, who is a second-year art student at a nearby community college, is an employee at the Fish Sandwich Company. The next suspect is Sophie, who owns a nearby Bed Breakfast called the Bon Nuit Inn. Lena operates an accounting agency. And then there is Pierce, a notorious art thief from Europe. Rene notes that “Rene the Sleuth” has had previous run-ins with this wily crook.

Fashion: Lulus

For the morning part of the photoshoot, Rene wears an “Up in a Tuesday Black Vegan Leather Jacket” as described on the Lulus website. This enchanting autumn attire adds a certain dynamism to any piece of clothing. By contrast, Lucia wears this exquisite “Up on a Tuesday Burgundy Vegan Leather Jacket” also from Lulus. Again, its vitality speaks volumes.

Fashion: Lulus

The story begins at the Bay Port Inn. Lucia takes on the role of “Detective Lucia” with real gusto. Herb Ritts snaps away, capturing Rene’s many moods as she soaks in the evidence of who among the many suspects have a motive to steal Englewood’s recipe. Our lovely investigator appears pensive. She is deciding what to do. “Jack,” says “Rene the Sleuth,” “I want to talk to Jack.” Here Herb depicts the next few moments with true panache. The scene, slow at first, builds to great intensity. Rene fires a plethora of questions at the angry chef: “Why did you fight with your boss in Bay City?” “Where were you on the night of the robbery?” “Who helped you unlock the safe at the fish company?”  The actor playing “Jack” does an outstanding job stonewalling what he believes to be needless meddling.  At one point he finds the right moment to add some humor to the scene by accusing his former boss of being a charlatan. “Can you believe,” Jack said in a mocking manner, “that he had the temerity “ to say that my mousse au chocolat lacked oomph?” The girls break down laughing.

Bay Port Inn.

After a brief coffee break and makeover, Herb Ritts takes the photoshoot to the Bay Port Fish Company. There, Detective Lucia and Private Investigator Rene question the character, Emily. The young art student, who was able to prove that she was in Sebewaing at the time of the robbery, did all she could not to accuse her boyfriend of the crime. Herb captures the moment’s suspense when the actress playing “Emily” breaks down and admits that she saw Jack lurking around the shop a day or two before the burglary. She swears, however, to Jack’s innocence. “Jack is an artist, not a thief,” says the devoted Emily. All three bring great excitement to the scene.

Bay Port Fish Company

The lunch break is at the Bay Port Inn. The inn, which dates to the early part of the twentieth century, is in near proximity to Saginaw Bay. The fried perch dinner, as Herb and his cast soon find out, goes so very well with a frosty glass of Killian’s beer. As they enjoy each other’s company, Herb talks about his many adventures as a fashion photographer. Lucia and Rene listen intently to their fellow cast members chat about how they got interested in acting and theater. They also discussed with our two beautiful models about some of their favorite playwrights such as Harold Chapin and Neil Simon.

Fashion: Lulus

For the afternoon part of the photoshoot, Rene wears this “Black Vegan Leather Puff Shoulder Jacket” from Lulus. Its cropped design brings out the allure of whatever one is wearing on an evening out on the town. Lucia, on the other hand, wears this “Ready For Anything Charcoal Grey Suede Moto Jacket” as described on the Lulus website. Its “soft vegan suede” is alluring and seductive.

Fashion: Lulus

Rene’s sleuthing leads her to Sophie, owner of the Bon Nuit Inn, a local bed and breakfast. The actress playing “Sophie” takes Rene around the Inn showing off its Victorian allure and magic. Again, Herb captures well the growing moments of anticipation. They have tea and enjoy an amicable conversation about the challenges of operating an inn in such a small location. “Do you have many guests?” asks Rene. Sophie, forgetting that Rene is a private investigator, answers nonchalantly, “Oh, yes. Why just this past week, we had an English gentleman stay for a few days. He was very chic, very suave.” Rene shows to our innkeeper a photo of Pierce who is listed as a potential suspect. Sophie turns white as Rene begins to fire a plethora of questions.

Sweet Dreams Victorian Bed and Breakfast

Trying to regain her composure, Sophia said to our private investigator, “he said that he was an investor. He told me that he has a client who is looking to invest some money that she recently inherited. He heard that the Bay Port Fish Company was up sale and was making some inquiries discretely. That is all I know.” Rene is left with more questions. Where is Pierce now? Who is his client? What other secrets can Sophie bring out? The photo shoot leaves us with a cliffhanger.

The story to be continued … 

We hope you enjoyed it,

Maria and Gabriel 

P.S. The actual name of the Bed and Breakfast is the Sweet Dreams Victorian Inn. Several years ago, Gabriel had some friends stay there for the weekend. He was impressed by the Victorian architecture and beautiful rooms. Alas, Gabriel saw online that the inn is “Permanently closed.”

Sources

Fashion Photos - www.lulus.com

Bay Port photos - Gabriel Kikas

Sweet Dreams Victorian Inn - https://thumbwind.com/2021/10/20/haunted-house-bay-port/