The Bar at the End of the Universe

[First, there was gunpowder, and music, and surprise.

Now comes the plot and the fear, and the chaos.

Now comes the real chase.]

The door creaks open, and Chief Inspector Eric Finch, shoulders slumped and face sagging with weariness, pauses, his hand on the doorknob. Behind him waits a large, bleak room with no light except the faint glow from the wall-filling television screen on the opposite side from the door. For a moment, he only stands there, tired eyes traveling around the room in a vain attempt to place this--is it a pub?--in a scenario in which it makes sense.

It refuses. The hallway down which Creedy, Dascombe and the others had gone after the briefing on Jordan Tower has disappeared, though Finch remembers hearing their retreating steps echo down through the walls. Giving one last incredulous look behind him, he pulls a jacket on over suspenders and a wrinkled blue shirt, and lets the door fall closed behind him.

He could use a drink, anyhow.


* OOMs contain some spoilers for the beginning of V for Vendetta. Both contain some violence or mention of violence.