On this program we explain how to use common words and expressions in American English . Today , we are going to celebrate the coming of winter with expressions related to cold and ice . And we will do that with a story … a mystery story . Our story begins on a distant mountain-top . It is the dead of winter . Outside the wind is howling . Snow mixed with freezing rain has made the roads unsafe for travel . Even walking outside is dangerous . So , the four characters of our story are stuck indoors at The Ice Castle Inn . Like the name suggests , the inn is an old castle . But now it is a vacation spot for bird-watchers . These four people are strangers . The only thing they have in common is a shared interest in snow birds . That is to say , they must postpone their plans until the winter storm passes . What they don't know is the violent storm outside is just the tip of the iceberg . In other words , more danger exists , but they cannot see it . But now , let's get in out of the cold . As we enter the Ice Castle Inn we meet our group of travelers . They are all having a hot drink as they gather by the fireplace . First there is the teacher , Madeline . She is in her late 20s and teaches skiing and cold weather survival skills at a private school for girls . Her neat , dark hair frames her round , healthy face . Her appearance is plain but she is in great physical shape . She is a quiet woman . When she speaks , her voice is low and uncertain . You may think she is shy . But think again . Underneath her shy exterior , she is calm , cool and collected . If she stares at you with her clear green eyes , you can sense her powerful , extreme calm . Her ability to control her reactions makes people feel afraid : it sends shivers down their spines . Then there is the athlete , Vincent . He is in his early 30s . Handsome and active , he talks to anyone and everyone . He has an easy manner and people like him instantly . He's the type of man who could sell ice to an Eskimo , meaning he could talk you into anything . At first , he seems to be a very cool , easy-going sportsman . But talk to him more and you realize that something is missing : namely , feelings . Those who know him best say he has ice water running through his veins . Nothing seems to upset or emotionally move him . Next is the actress , Sylvia . She is in her mid-40s and is extremely attractive . With her ice-blue eyes , pale white skin and fine clothing , she doesn't seem like the outdoorsy , bird-watching type . Her personality runs hot and cold -- friendly one minute , unfriendly the next . You never know what to expect . The one thing that is constant about her is the gold locket she wears around her long , thin neck . She never takes it off and often holds it tightly to her chest . Finally , there is Major Jack , an ex-military man . His age is hard to guess -- perhaps 50-something ? He has a strong jaw and thick black hair . The lines on his face make him look older but even more handsome . Some men are just lucky that way . He seems like most military men ; strong and silent . William Shakespeare might even call him a cold fish -- unfeeling and unfriendly . It is at these times , he seems like a man left out in the cold , ignored and alone . That is our small group of traveling bird-watchers . As the days pass , the snow only falls harder on The Ice Castle Inn . Neither do cell phones . No rescue vehicles have come to clear the roads . They are truly snowed in . With each passing day , they each become more and more suspicious of each other . They all wonder the same thing – why are the others really here ? Answers will have to wait . Join us next week for part 2 of The Mystery at The Ice Castle Inn .