Public Library

[The Phantom, InAbsentiaRego]

"I'm no ghost, no, as far as I know, at least," Alexander laughed back. "I'm in 'law'. It's nearer the end." He walked to the end of the aisle closest to the thundering of the American's footsteps, his own stride lighter trod, yet no less purposeful.

[[deleted user]]

"Ah alright. I'm on my way." John walked towards the law section and stood at the end of the aisle. He stood tall and stared at the books surrounding him. "Durn...I'm sure glad books ain't alive. I'd be six feet under right about now."

[The Phantom, InAbsentiaRego]

Alexander approached him. "An interesting turn of phrase, but I'm sure I understand the sentiment. My name is Alexander Tacite," he held out a youthful hand, smiling expectantly, "May I ask yours?" He paused a moment, and then added. "I'm WTS, or so I'm told to say. I believe such is important in these parts. Yourself? A pleasure to make your acquaintance in any case."

[[deleted user]]

John flashed him a smile and extended his large hand towards his, gripping it firmly and shaking it a few times as he said, "Well nice to meet you, Alexander. I'm John. John Meadows." He retracted his hand and added, "I'm the same as you, fella'!"

[The Phantom, InAbsentiaRego]

Alexander was slightly taken aback by the man's enthusiasm, but laughed nonetheless. "Good to hear, friend, good to hear. What were you looking for? Mayhap I have seen it."

[[deleted user]]

"Ah yeah...the book! I was lookin' for somethin' on wood carving. I've been using this here knife, " John makes it a point to motion towards his hand made deer antler handled knife at his side, "And I figured I hadn't been killin' people lately so maybe I could carve me a statue." John looks at Alexander hopefully.

[The Phantom, InAbsentiaRego]

"Aha," Alexander replied, struggling to maintain interest and amicability. "I'm not sure I can help you with that. I'm better acquainted with the academic texts here. My apologies for that. You wouldn't happen to have seen a copy of Anselm's Proslogion? I heard there was one here, and it's quite rare..."

[[deleted user]]

John rubbed his chin, looking very confused, "Anselms...Prosl...ooo....gion..." He trailed off, looking around the room. "I haven't seen it, but I promise you, I'll find it!" He smiled enthusiastically.

[The Phantom, InAbsentiaRego]

"No need to trouble yourself; it mightn't even be here." Alexander replied, politeness masking his irritation at the man's apparent slowness.

[[deleted user]]

John shrugged and pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket along with a lighter. He stuck one between his teeth and lit the end of it. "You needa' smoke?"

[The Phantom, InAbsentiaRego]

"God no," Alexander revoked, his facade again slipping. "I don't touch the stuff. Enough people try to kill me nowadays without adding myself to the list."

[[deleted user]]

"Well that's mighty fine." John smiled and stuffed a hand into his pocket, "You know...I think we could make a good pair o' friends, Alexander! ...We all gotta have a friend!" He chuckled loudly and took a long draw of his cigarette.

[The Phantom, InAbsentiaRego]

"Yes..." Alexander replied, unenthused, "I'm sure." He couldn't help but consider that the idiot apparently before him could be an illusion, a la 'the killer inside me'. He could but hope.

[[deleted user]]

((Oh my Lord...this post has escaped my notifications. I apologize for that!))

John removed the pack of cigarettes from his pocket and ripped a piece of the cardboard from the package. Scribbling down his number with a pencil he carries, he quickly handed it to Alexander. "Well fella...you take this a' here paper and let me know if anything interesting happens in this creepy library." John chuckled loudly. "I might atta' be heading out soon since there obviously ain't no books on widdlin."

[The Phantom, InAbsentiaRego]

He took the number, smelling even as it did of nicotine and tobacco. "I'll be sure to," Alexander replied, entirely falsely. "Though I'm likely to leave myself soon"

[[deleted user]]

John removed the cigarette from his lips and, after putting it out with the bottom of his boot, threw it to the side. "See ya around Mr. Alexander!" He began to turn and stomp his way out of the library.

((I love how they are complete opposites..it made things interesting!))

[The Phantom, InAbsentiaRego]

((I agree wholeheartedly.))

"See ya."