Happy Hour with Dr. Hannibal Lecter

[cook_the_rude]

When the newcomer that has introduced himself as Dr. Hannibal Lecter to the denizens of the bar enters tonight and approaches the bar for a drink, he receives a yellow napkin. He reads the message on it with some astonishment, but then says, "I would feel very honoured. May I have an apron while I do it?"

And apron appears, with a Milliways logo embroidered on it. Dr. Lecter takes off his jacket, rolls up his sleeves, puts on the apron, and gets to work. After a moment's quite expert rummaging behind the bar, he writes on the specials board in his elegant, slanted script:

Specials

Paradise Springs 2011 Viognier
La Bargemone 2012 Cuvée Marina Rosé
Bacio Divino 2009 Pazzo

Neumarkter Lammsbräu Pilsener -- organic beer from Germany
Classic Mojito
Long Island Ice Tea
Atlantean

[[meta: before we begin, i must warn you: nothing here is people!]]

Comments

[herr_bookman]

"I don't believe I've seen anyone actually offer Atlantean, Dr. Lecter," Autor says as he approaches the bar. "It is a most unusual choice."

Steady hands, impeccable nails, used to kitchens. And knives.

Before offering a greeting, the boy had to take a minute or two to settle his nerves. He's fairly certain that the doctor will notice, if he hasn't already, but there is something Autor wants to ask him.

[cook_the_rude]

"And so we meet again, writer and reader," Dr. Lecter says, smiling at Autor. "I wouldn't importune you with Atlantean; I keep it ready for the gods and superheroes that can stomach it. For you, I'd say some organic German beer, or maybe just tea with just a dash of Irish Cream liqueur instead of milk. Was your foray into the library successful, the other day?"

[herr_bookman]

Augh. Why did I even give him my name.

"Hm," Autor says, glancing up at the board again with interest at the recommendations. "Was yours?"

[cook_the_rude]

"I haven't been yet," Dr. Lecter says. "I was distracted by sunshine, good food and drink, and interesting company."

[herr_bookman]

Sunshine? Or Sunshine?

"Those are excellent distractions," Autor says. "The bar has much to offer, as you seem to have found. I do believe you'll find the library very informative, with regards to how it works."

[cook_the_rude]

"I am positive I will," Dr. Lecter says. "I do like a good library, and this one is a bit dimensionally challenging, I take it?"

[herr_bookman]

"It may prompt you to think differently," Autor says, "though the physical space is much larger on the inside than on the outside."

[cook_the_rude]

"Every library has a system, and so will this one," Dr. Lecter says. "No library system is perfect, and there are always surprises, so I am sure this one will have them as well. I may need to move through n dimensions to find a book, but it will still be a library."

[herr_bookman]

Autor has spent a not insignificant amount of time shooing Oswin away from his card catalog. If Hannibal takes an interest in organizing the system, the boy may just have to drop it.

"I hope you find it suits your requirements," Autor says, and realizes that he's running out of things to say.

I can't tell how aware he is about the bar, so I can't just ask him outright.

[cook_the_rude]

"But you did want something, didn't you?" Dr. Lecter says quietly.

[herr_bookman]

"I did," Autor admits, and pats the comforting, solid presence of Bar. "But I may have to get it next time. Farewell, Doctor Lector."

The boy nods once, and starts to withdraw.

[cook_the_rude]

"You didn't even try to order," Dr. Lecter says mildly. "Are you afraid of me, Autor?"

[herr_bookman]

Startled at the abrupt inquiry, Autor coughs quietly, a breathless laugh.

"You already know the answer to that, Dr. Lecter," he says, and offers him a crooked grin.

The boy lifts his fingers from Bar and walks away.