(no subject)

[1stwitness]

Ichabod comes in, sits at the Bar, and is promptly presented with a complete Thanksgiving dinner and explanatory note concerning what date it is.

After murmuring a polite and mostly automatic word of thanks, he sits and stares at it.

He... can't think of a lot to be thankful for in his own life, right now.

Comments

[52_dropoff]

"It's called a turkey." Well, maybe the man hasn't seen one yet, given the clothing and all. "You eat it."

[1stwitness]

"I'm aware of that, thank you, I do live in the Colonies."

He barely looks up.

[52_dropoff]

"Just checking. But you don't seem interested in actually eating it." Which might not be a bad thing, given what turkeys eat and all.

[1stwitness]

"I'm not particularly hungry at the moment."

This is a lie. He'll probably eat it eventually, he's just sulking thinking.

[52_dropoff]

"You could have the bar wrap it up for later." He's not sure the man wants to talk. But sometimes that doesn't stop Charlie.

[1stwitness]

"I'll eat it before it goes cold, or if not, perhaps I'll do that."

[52_dropoff]

"I'm not interrupting anything, am I?" Hey, it's a holiday. Not a bad idea to be a little polite for once.

[1stwitness]

"...no", he admits after a moment. "Nothing at all, and I'm being unconscionably rude. Ichabod Crane."

[52_dropoff]

First rule of life in the Bar: never say when you know someone's name from fiction. Or presumed fiction. Which means Charlie needs a really good poker face.

"Charlie. Nice to meet you."

[1stwitness]

"Likewise." He picks up his fork and begins poking at the dinner. "Has this become a firmly entrenched tradition in your time?"

[52_dropoff]

"Thanksgiving? Yes. It's the biggest travel day of the year. Bigger than even Christmas, since it's a secular day and non-Christians and atheists celebrate it too.

"When are you from, Mr. Crane." Something about calling anyone Ichabod is a bit strange.

[1stwitness]

"We had a number of days by that name, in my time - which was 1781, originally - but it seems now you have settled on just one."

[52_dropoff]

Originally...hmmmm.

"Fourth Thursday of the month, initially by annual proclamation of the president, and then later by act of Congress. I used to know why they picked the date, but it's been a long time since I was in school.

"You said you're from the Colonies. Does that mean you were still at war? Or just not used to calling it the United States?"

[margolotta]

"Is your dinner not to your liking?" asks the lady who is sitting at the next table, drinking tea.

[1stwitness]

"The dinner is perfectly good", he answers with a sort of seated bow in her direction. "The occasion is not to my liking."

[margolotta]

"What is the occasion?" the lady asks.

[1stwitness]

"One referred to as 'Thanksgiving'."

[margolotta]

"Some kind of harvest festival?" the lady asks.

[1stwitness]

"More general. The idea is to be thankful for all good things in your life."

He stares at his plate, stirring the potato idly with his fork.

[margolotta]

"I suppose you think you don't have any?" the lady guesses.

[1stwitness]

"Very few."

[margolotta]

"Not even that very nice meal?" the lady asks.

[1stwitness]

"Enjoyment for a few minutes, satisfaction for a few hours." He studies it, and forks up a mouthful to eat. "It is what it is, and small consolation."

[margolotta]

"I'm sorry to hear your life is that bad," the lady says, gently.

[1stwitness]

"It could be worse, I suppose."

He could be in ill health as well as desperately lonely and out of time.