The Necessary Supply
- Herman Webster Mudgett arrives in a South Chicago town called Englewood. He goes by the name H. H. Holmes.
- Not going to lie, he's a pretty hot dude. "As he moved through the station, the glances of young women fell around him like wind-blown petals" (1.3.3).
- Holmes dresses well and gives off the impression of being successful and rich. And he has stunning blue eyes.
- Holmes enters a drugstore called Holton Drugs and speaks to an elderly Mrs. Holton.
- He says he's a doctor and a licensed pharmacist and asks if she needs help in the store.
- As it turns out, she confesses her husband in the apartment upstairs is dying of cancer. Managing him and the store has become a burden. So yeah, guess she could use the help.
- Dr. Holton soon dies, and Holmes makes his widow a sweet offer: Holmes will buy the drugstore and she can continue living upstairs. Deal.
- Word spreads that a young, handsome, and single doctor now stands behind the counter at the newly named H. H. Holmes Pharmacy. Women in their twenties begin to flock to the store in hordes.
- But something odd also happens: Mrs. Holton hasn't been seen around town for quite some time.
- Holmes explains she decided to visit family in California. As time goes on, Holmes modifies the story to say that she liked California so much, she decided to stay.
- Hmm…