Murder

sherlock inspired

at
moorbourne
manor
SAM MOORBOURNE
CHARACTER GUIDE
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 SAM MOORBOURNE
Murder at Moorbourne Manor

Why You’re Here?

You’re at Moorbourne Manor, a sprawling mansion on the edge of
Dartmoor, where Lord Victor Moorbourne has invited guests to hear a
personal reading of his last will and testament. It’s the 30th November
1899 and Lord Moorbourne doesn’t expect to see the turn of the
century. Possibly due to his ailing health, his lordship has developed a
conscience and wishes to right the wrongs of his past.

Following his reading, Lord Moorbourne invited you and the rest of the
guests to stay on at the mansion to enjoy the generous food and drink
that he had provided. He then retired to his study.

However, just as the party was coming to an end, the evening took
a gruesome turn- Lord Moorbourne’s temporary maid, Violet Smith,
discovered his murdered body slumped across his desk! She let out a
scream that must’ve reached the four corners of Dartmoor.

Devon & Cornwall Police were contacted, and Detective Leslie

Hughes arrived on the scene.

What Now?
You and the other guests are required to assemble in the grand reception
room to hear Detective Hughes speak. Hurry along there, but don’t say
too much! Just listen. Be under no illusion – YOU are a suspect too!

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CONTENTS
SAM MOORBOURNE

4 POTENTIAL GUESTS

ROUND 1
7
INTRODUCTIONS

ROUND 2
9
MINGLING

ROUND 2 A
11
RUMOURS

13 INNOCENT OR GUILTY
 ROUND 3
15
MOTIVES

ROUND 4
17
METHOD

19 ACCUSATIONS

20 ALIBI OR CONFESSION
 SAM MOORBOURNE

We’re lucky enough to have esteemed Detective Leslie Hughes with us

tonight. He will set the pace of the rounds, allowing ample time for you to
familiarise yourself with these materials, and using his vast experience he’ll
make clear what’s expected of you!

For avoidance of doubt, important information pertaining to your behaviour

is picked out in red throughout this character pack. Like this, your first step:

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING GUEST LIST AND THEN

STOP UNTIL YOUR HOST STARTS THE GAME.

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SAM MOORBOURNE
GUEST LIST
Name & Brief
Physical Characteristics Clothing
Description
DETECTIVE LESLIE Smart suit with common,
Grey shoulder length
HUGHES distressed brown leather boots.
hair and full beard. Tall
Carries a shiny black cane but
Age: 52 and slim, he bends over
never uses it to aid walking.
Retired London whilst he walks but stands
Monocle which hangs from a gold
detective. straight when he talks.
chain around his neck.
NEVILLE Handlebar moustache White shirt with a crimson cravat.
MOORBOURNE and combed-back grey Black waistcoat, long tailed
Age: 44 hair. Belly starting to jacket, and pinstriped trousers.
Lord Moorbourne’s appear and strain his Black leather shoes. Pipe smoker
firstborn. waistcoat. (expensive pipe).

SAM White shirt (loosened at the

MOORBOURNES collar). Black pinstriped trousers
Side swept, thin,
with sable tipped boots. Cloak
Age: 43 shoulder-length hair.
that covers shoulders and falls
Lord Moorbourne’s Small. Wheelchair user. over the top of wheelchair wheels,
second child. almost reaching the ground.
ADA
MOORBOURNE Elaborate updo hairstyle Blue Victorian dress over hoop
finished with ornate skirt. Black boots and black
Age: 42
clasp in the shape of a gloves. Early user of the cigarette
Lord Moorbourne’s butterfly. Slim but clumsy. holder.
youngest child.
DOUGLAS HARRIS Pinstriped trousers and waistcoat
Large barrel chest. Short.
with a gold chain. No jacket.
Age: 69 Imperial moustache. Left-
Tiny feet. Platforms in his black
Brother-in-law, handed, often seen with
shoes to make him appear taller.
married to Emma. ink on his hand.
Smokes cigars.
SIDNEY HARRIS No facial hair. Tall
Black trousers, waistcoat, and
(takes his height from
Age: 35 jacket with a blood red shirt.
his mother). Handsome
Lord Moorbourne’s but vain. Doesn’t drink Black shoes. Carries a pipe –
nephew. doesn’t smoke it.
alcohol.

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 Name & Brief
Physical Characteristics Clothing
Description
JANE HARRIS Tight fitting heavy Victorian
Braided bun hairstyle.
dress buttoned up to the
Age: 34 Attractive but tries to
throat. Wool capelet. Emerald
Sidney’s wife. hide it.
green handbag.
VIOLET SMITH Long brown hair tied up
Black dress with white, frilled
under bonnet. No make-
Age: 22 apron and white bonnet.
up. Naturally beautiful.
Emma’s maid. Grey flat shoes.
Easily led by Sidney.
White shirt with sleeves rolled
FERGUS MCINTYRE Bald with a full red to reveal a faded anchor
beard. The tallest of the tattoo on each forearm.
Age: 48
group. Physically strong. Sturdy brown leather boots
Son of Victor’s former Weakness for over- and heavy brown trousers.
business partner. indulging in alcohol. Flat cap. Smokes cheap
tobacco with a common pipe.
WALTER ‘WALLY’ Slim and weathered. Loose fitting dark grey
WARD Muscular forearms. trousers and black scuffed
Permanent furrowed brow. boots. Woollen waistcoat
Age: 37
Chiselled jaw. Tip of his over a pale blue shirt (rolled
Lord Moorbourne’s left index finger is missing. up to the elbows). Nave blue
former gardener. Dirty fingernails. neckerchief. Flat cap.
RAYMOND
HAMILTON Tall with broad shoulders. Cheap brown suit and bowler
Bushy moustache and hat. Smart but tired shoes.
Age: 41
sideburns. Walks with a Gold pinkie ring and pocket
Harris Shipping limp. watch.
Company foreman.
CHARLEY TURNER Brown trousers and jacket.
Always grinning, front
Dirty white shirt (unbuttoned
Age: 20 teeth missing. Small and
at the collar). No hat. Flat
Harris Shipping agile. Hands that look too
brown shoes with soles ready
Company worker. big for him.
to detach.
EMMA HARRIS Barley curls hairstyle. Tight fitting black Victorian
Age: 64 Needs glasses but doesn’t dress finishing at her chest
Lord Moorbourne’s wear them in public. Taller to reveal ornate necklace.
sister – married to than her husband. Bites Usually holding a glass of
Douglas Harris. her nails. wine. Chipped nail varnish.

TILLIE ALLEN Navy blue dress. Exposed

Crimped updo hairstyle
Age: 32 upper chest. Reading glasses
with added flowers.
Jane Harris’ dearest that hang from a chain
Shapely.
friend. around her neck. Ankle boots.

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Name & Brief
Physical Characteristics Clothing
Description
Covered in dark, heavy
MADAME BLACK Short and hunchbacked. fabrics from shoulder to toe.
Age: Unknown Young ageless skin. Sparse Her elongated hands are the
Lord Moorbourne’s grey hair. Penetrating only flesh exposed besides
fortune teller. hazel eyes. her head. Walks with a
wooden shepherd’s crook.
AGATHA GREEN Short white hair under Light blue dress with flat white
bonnet. Stern exterior apron and white bonnet.
Age: 63
but with a heart of gold. Round spectacles. Black
Daisy Green’s sister. Calloused hands. shoes.
Bald crown with white
HARRY GREEN tuffs of hair at the sides
Age: 63 and back. Dainty hands. Butler’s suit and polished
Daisy Green’s Blends in wherever he black shoes.
brother. is. Softly spoken. Rarely
blinks.
Short in stature but has a
OTTO ROWE commanding presence. Clay pipe (unusual for a rich
Age: 60 The hard, strong hands tobacco merchant). Wool suit
Boss of Agatha and of a person who worked and waistcoat, smart shoes.
Harry Green. their way to the top. Lives Bowler hat.
below his means.
RICKY MORGAN Tall and lean. Shaggy hair. Black trousers and off-white
Age: 18 Big brown eyes and a shirt – both two sizes too big.
Infamous teen smile that has earned him Brown leather boots- filthy but
poacher. forgiveness in court. brand new.

CLARABELLE COOK Long blond hair tied to one

Light blue cotton dress.
Age: 17 side. Delicate ankles and
Slippers (muddy from her
Ricky Morgan’s wrists. Heterochromia; one
adventures with Ricky).
girlfriend. green eye, one blue.

BERYL PRICE Short brown hair. Grey smock and black boots.
Age: 39 Thick arms and legs. Grey bonnet. Brown handbag
Sam Moorbourne’s Questioning face. Rarely filled with medical instruments
carer. smiles. and supplies.

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 SAM MOORBOURNE
ROUND 1
INTRODUCTIONS
Use this page to help introduce your character to Detective Leslie Hughes
when asked. Be careful not to overshare!

Your Background
You’re Sam Moorbourne, Lord Victor Moorbourne’s second born child.

Your big brother is your hero. Even though Neville’s dark side is clear for
all to see, you see what others don’t- the scared little boy who can’t get
out of his father’s shadow. It pains you to see Neville blame your father for
his shortcomings, deep down he knows he will never be as successful in
business as him because of his own insecurities. Your father knows this only
too well and is hard on Neville in an attempt to toughen him up.

As for you, your father afforded you everything that medical science could
offer but otherwise he takes little to do with you. You’ve heard him say
about you in the past: “It wasn’t my idea, its mother wanted to keep it! Then
she bloody died on me!”

Your substitute mother, Daisy Green was gentle and loving towards you.
Even though you’re now 43 years old, her recent passing has hurt you the
most and you catch yourself weeping multiple times throughout each day.
Feeling your body grow weaker and knowing that you’re unlikely to live
very much longer yourself, you need her now more than ever.

You’re told that your kind nature was inherited from your mother, but you
feel that it might be more of a side-effect of your disability and a learned
humility that is necessary to elicit the help of others. Some would say that
very misunderstanding of yourself is proof of an innate humility.

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You feel like your sister, Ada, lives in a dreamworld. She acts like you’re not
a wheelchair user and often asks you to do things that you’re not capable
of. Living in her own head has caused Ada to remain unmarried at 41
years old. In your opinion, Ada has now reached the age of a spinster and
will one day be a very lonely woman. Your heart breaks for her.

Your inheritance is of no real consequence to you; you know you have little
life left. Many years ago, you decided that if you outlived your father, you’d
give up any inheritance you received to your brother and sister in exchange
for end-of-life care.

You take great pleasure in watching other people dance, you often get lost
in the music with them and assume that the euphoria you feel is the same
that dancers feel. In that way, you feel included.

Your Introduction
When asked, use this statement to introduce your character.

“Hello, I’m Sam Moorbourne, Lord Victor Moorbourne’s second born child.
I just can’t believe what has happened here tonight- my father had many
faults but deep down he was a good man, and more importantly, for me
anyway, a generous father. Many experts have said that without my father’s
influence and wealth I wouldn’t be alive today – he made sure that I wanted
for nothing and, by default, has probably financed medical advancements
that will continue to benefit complete strangers long into the future.”

STOP HERE!
DETECTIVE HUGHES WILL NOW ASK YOU WHO YOU ARE.

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 SAM MOORBOURNE
ROUND 2
MINGLING

Detective Hughes has provided some invaluable initial insights into the
gruesome crime that has unfolded here tonight at Moorbourne Manor.
Read more about yourself below before getting to know the other guests a
little better. The aim of this round is to uncover information about the other
guests that may link them back to the insights that Detective Hughes has
given you.

Your Secrets
Keep these to yourself!

• Deep down you do not feel like the legitimate child of Lord Victor
Moorbourne, but you fight this feeling by telling yourself it’s just the
wheelchair that makes you feel different.

• You feel sorry for your cousin, Sidney. His bravado and arrogance
are masks that he wears to impress your father, in your opinion.

• You still live at Moorbourne Manor and would love to see it sold so
that you’re forced to see more of the world before you die. Even if that
world is just another house.

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Possible Conversation Starters
Use these in any order. The aim here is to further understand the other
guests.

If you’re asked a question, use what you know from your character
biography to answer- carefully!

• Say to the others: “Some of you still crouch down when you’re talking
to me. Please don’t do that. And if you make that blunder, please
don’t apologise- most people don’t realise that it’s rude and I fully
understand that it takes a bit of getting used to.”

• Let it be known that you may need to retire to your room at Moorbourne
Manor during the course of the evening. Say: “Late nights always
exhaust me, but the death of my father has all but stolen my last
breath. I may need to lie down for a little while.”

When you feel like you’ve thoroughly mingled with the other guests, or
your host tells you to, move on and work through Round 2a – Rumours.

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 SAM MOORBOURNE
ROUND 2A
RUMOURS

Have you noticed that some of the other guests seem a little nervous?
Many of them harbour secrets that, if told, may implicate them in
tonight’s horrific crime. So, I’m sure you’ll agree, these secrets are worth
sharing. Choose someone at the party to dish the dirt on, and let the
others know what they’re hiding.
BUT BE CAREFUL - remember there’s a murderer here!

NAME THE RUMOUR

NEVILLE His arguments with Lord Moorbourne would often
MOORBOURNE result in fisticuffs.
ADA She despises power-hungry men like her father and
MOORBOURNE his business associates.
DOUGLAS His shipping company is failing, he desperately
HARRIS needs money.
He’s gotten Violet Smith, his mother’s maid, pregnant.
SIDNEY HARRIS
He’d shared this secret with Lord Moorbourne.
She knows about her husband Sidney’s extramarital
JANE HARRIS affairs and Lord Moorbourne’s encouragement of
them.
Despite how it will tear the family apart, she wants
VIOLET SMITH
Sidney to leave Jane for her.
FERGUS Lord Moorbourne financially ruined his father, he’s
MCINTYRE hated Lord Moorbourne since he was a young boy.
WALTER Although sacked by Lord Moorbourne, he still has
‘WALLY’ WARD keys to the employee entrance at Moorbourne Manor.

11
NAME THE RUMOUR
His thieving has accelerated the downfall of The
RAYMOND
Harris Shipping Company, Lord Moorbourne
HAMILTON
repeatedly warned Douglas Harris about him.
CHARLEY He does exactly what Raymond tells him to do, legal
TURNER or otherwise.
She pretended to be ill to try to avoid this evening’s
EMMA HARRIS
gathering.
Lord Moorbourne propositioned her on many
TILLIE ALLEN
occasions.
MADAME She’s one of several related fortune tellers who all go
BLACK by the name Madame Black.
AGATHA She loathed Lord Moorbourne with every ounce of
GREEN her being.
Picked on all his life, his biggest fear has always
HARRY GREEN
been that one day he’ll snap and hurt someone.
He’s often daydreamed about strangling Lord
OTTO ROWE Moorbourne due to bitter disagreements around
business deals.
RICKY Lord Moorbourne employed him to frequently
MORGAN vandalise Otto Rowe’s property.
CLARABELLE She desperately wants to marry a rich man, young or
COOK old. Her desire for money knows no bounds.
She tells lies so proficiently that she sometimes
BERYL PRICE
convinces herself they’re true.

STOP HERE UNTIL YOUR HOST ASKS YOU TO CONTINUE!

12
 SAM MOORBOURNE
INNOCENT OR GUILTY?

Your host will now ask you to take part in a random draw to find out if you
are innocent or guilty.

Please keep your status to yourself!

In the following two rounds, you will be interrogated by the other guests
as each tries to establish who the murderer is. Answers to their questions
are listed under two categories: “If You’re Guilty” and “If You’re Innocent”
– you should use the answers that correspond to the status that you have
just randomly drawn.

You will also interrogate the others as you aim to solve the murder (or
lead people astray if you are indeed the killer). Questions are listed in
dialogue format and are appropriate to your character- time to embrace
your character and showcase your acting talents!

Break a leg!

STOP HERE UNTIL YOUR HOST ASKS YOU TO CONTINUE!

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14
 SAM MOORBOURNE
ROUND 3
MOTIVES
(Evidence: Lord Moorbourne’s Last Will and Testament)
Detective Hughes has returned and provided some much-needed insight
into the possible motives behind this murder. Use the questions below to
grill the other guests. The aim of this round is to avoid being accused of the
murder by casting doubt on the innocence of others. The overall question
here is- Who had a strong enough MOTIVE to commit the crime?

YOUR Get into character and use the following questions

to interrogate the other guests. REMEMBER - you can
QUESTIONS never have too much information, question as many
FOR OTHERS people as possible.

This evening couldn’t possibly have gone any worse. I warned my father
that his invite list was rather odd, why do you think he invited you? I mean,
why are you even here?

Before this evening when did you last speak to my father? We all know he
can have a foul temper and that his mood changes with the passing hour,
were you on good terms by the end of your conversation?

My father’s will is odd considering the amount of people that he invited to

attend this evening. What do you make of the way he split up his estate?

15
YOUR ANSWERS Remember: Only the murderer is permitted to lie.
FOR OTHERS If you’re innocent, you must tell the truth.

IF YOU’RE INNOCENT
Potential Question Your Answer
You mean besides this being my home? My
Why are you here? father asked me to come along and listen to his
last will and testament.
How was your relationship Ha! That’s complicated but I’ll say this – deep
with Lord Moorbourne? down, he was a good man.
When was the last time
Why, I seen him this morning. He was agitated
you seen Lord Moorbourne
and said he was going to spend most of the day
before tonight and did you
in his study preparing for this evening.
part on good terms?
Do you think Lord
Who am I to say. It’s his wishes and he’s left me
Moorbourne’s last will and
enough to look after myself. I can’t complain.
testament is fair?
What changes would you Seems odd to have Fergus McIntyre on there, but
make to Lord Moorbourne’s as I say- it was my father’s wishes, so let’s not
will, if any? dwell on the details.

IF YOU’RE GUILTY
Potential Question Your Answer
Why are you here? What sort of question is that? I live here!
He was my father, it was fine. I think the last real
How was your relationship
relationship he had was with my mother before
with Lord Moorbourne?
she died.
When was the last time
I saw him this morning, he was in a great mood
you seen Lord Moorbourne
and was eager for this evening’s gathering to
before tonight and did you
commence.
part on good terms?
Do you think Lord He could have left every penny to strangers
Moorbourne’s last will and for all I care. I’ll not be around much longer
testament is fair? anyway.
I’d have that grubby fingered Scot off it for a
What changes would you
start- the man has never even met my father and
make to Lord Moorbourne’s
he’s leaving with, what feels like, the lion’s share
will, if any?
of his estate.

STOP HERE UNTIL YOUR HOST ASKS YOU TO CONTINUE!

16
 SAM MOORBOURNE
ROUND 4
THE METHOD
(Evidence: A hand-drawn sketch of Lord Moorbourne’s injuries)
Detective Hughes has returned for the last time. He’s provided his evaluation
of the method used to commit this despicable crime. Use the questions
below to grill the other guests. The aim of this round is to avoid being
accused of the murder by casting doubt on the innocence of others. The
overall question here is- Who was ABLE to commit the crime in the manner
described by Detective Hughes?

YOUR Get into character and use the following questions

to interrogate the other guests. REMEMBER - you can
QUESTIONS never have too much information, question as many
FOR OTHERS people as possible.

The first thing I’d like to establish isn’t who could have murdered my father,
but rather who couldn’t. Give me one good reason why you couldn’t
possibly have murdered him?

Seems to me like the person who committed this crime knew exactly where
to injure my father to ensure he passed away quickly. What knowledge do
you have of anatomy?

I’ve seen you hold back your temper throughout the evening, did you just
lose it for a second and commit this crime? I hear the courts are lenient
when criminals are honest with them.

17
YOUR ANSWERS Remember: Only the murderer is permitted to lie.
FOR OTHERS If you’re innocent, you must tell the truth.

IF YOU’RE INNOCENT
Potential Question Your Answer
Were you in the study, at any No. I only make the arduous journey up the
time, after Lord Moorbourne’s stairs when absolutely necessary, and even
will reading? then, I usually ask for help.
Being a wheelchair user, I’m the least likely
What about you proves your to have committed a crime that involves
innocence? climbing stairs and pouncing on a man at
speed. Wouldn’t you agree?
Do you have any knowledge of, Some. I’ve studied the human body as I
or interest in, anatomy? strived to understand my own condition.
Did you lose your temper tonight
Ha! I think the last time I lost my temper was
and, in the heat of the moment,
when I was a spotty teenager.
murder Lord Moorbourne?
Were you by yourself, at any I can’t quite remember. I’m so used to being
time, after Lord Moorbourne’s alone in this mansion that the silence would
will reading? have been too normal for me to notice.
IF YOU’RE GUILTY
Potential Question Your Answer
Were you in the study, at any
Give yourself a shake! Do you think it’s easy
time, after Lord Moorbourne’s
getting upstairs in this wheelchair?
will reading?
Would one like to borrow some spectacles?
What about you proves your
Perhaps my bleeding obvious wheelchair
innocence?
would be your answer.
None beyond the speels that I’ve had to
Do you have any knowledge of, listen to from doctors over the years. But
or interest in, anatomy? they mostly concern the workings of the legs
and spine.
Did you lose your temper tonight
I lived with the man. If I wanted him dead, I
and, in the heat of the moment,
would have done it without an audience.
murder Lord Moorbourne?
Were you by yourself, at any
Nice try. No, I’m fairly certain there was
time, after Lord Moorbourne’s
always someone around.
will reading?

STOP HERE UNTIL YOUR HOST ASKS YOU TO CONTINUE!

18
 SAM MOORBOURNE
ACCUSATIONS OR VOTING
Well do you know who killed Lord Victor Moorbourne?
If so, complete a ballot as instructed by your host.
If not, complete a ballot anyway- the man’s dead, someone must pay!

Follow your host’s instructions on how to name the murderer.

• You may fill out a Game Ballot on paper or via chat.
• You may be asked to make an accusation in the format below.

Either way, the first player to correctly identify the murderer and motive
wins the game.
If nobody gets it right, the murderer wins!

ACCUSATION FORMAT
I accuse of murdering Lord Victor Moorbourne.

I believe they committed the crime because:

OPTIONAL:
I base my accusation on this evidence:

19
SAM MOORBOURNE
THE SOLUTION
Based on your innocent or guilty status, read your alibi or confession aloud
when asked to by your host.

ALIBI (IF INNOCENT)

I’m innocent. I didn’t just roll up a flight of stairs on my own and murder
my own father! I have neither the malice within me nor the means to easily
access the room where the murder was committed.
With everything that has gone on and the obvious poor state of affairs that
face this fragmented family, I’m going to take this opportunity to address
you all on another matter. I know that Lord Victor Moorbourne is not my
real father! I know that Douglas and Emma Harris are my parents, and I
can only surmise that this terrible exchange somehow involved money. As
is always the case in the Moorbourne family.
With that said, please excuse me, I intend to pack my belongings and
make arrangements for my care by people who not only have the facility
to properly care for me, but the hearts in their chests to do it for all the
right reasons.

CONFESSION (IF GUILTY)

Yes, it was me!
Ha! Look at the surprise on your faces – maybe you shouldn’t assume that
wheelchair users aren’t as capable as yourselves. I’ve been dealing with
the pity of the likes of you all my life and, to be honest, you’re lucky I didn’t
plunge the letter opener into every last one of you.
My father has been asking for it for a long time, I knew that he had a
dark secret and I knew it involved me. I’ve known for years. His rapidly
deteriorating health caused me to just come out and ask him- am I really his
child or was I bought from Douglas and Emma Harris? And do you know
what? The old git decided to be honest for once in his life. I was, in fact,
bought from the Harrises as a plaything for his wife- the woman I thought
was my mother.
But it would seem that, once the truth was out, Lord Moorbourne couldn’t
help himself- he unleashed a torrent of abuse at me, proclaiming that he
never wanted me and that I’d been a thorn in his side for far too long.
Since I don’t have long to live either, I decided that I’d give him the send-off
that he has deserved all his life. I hope he rots!” 20