This ain't Kansas anymore, sweetheart (arrival, ota, nudge castmates?)

[hasgoodgraydar]

"Don't wait up for me, kids! Mamma's on the prowl!" And with that, Martha grabbed her jacket, heading out of the door to Richard's apartment, and out to a night of fun

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[faramir_hurin]

It's later than I usually wait for dinner but I was involved in writing. I'm working on writing down all I know of "The Lay of Leithian" and writing a rough translation of the story so people will understand. It's long but worth doing, even if they don't decide to even sing it at the opera house. When I hear the woman in the street speaking I'm sure dinner will be even later. Then again, she does seem to be coming directly to the hotel so I might be wrong.

"Good evening, my lady," I say with a nod. I haven't seen her before and her clothing isn't what I'd expect in this place, unless there was some sort of party. I suspect if she was supposed to meet a gentleman somewhere and he did not show up he will soon regret it.

[hasgoodgraydar]

"Well, aren't you a handsome one?" Martha commented as she caught sight of the man who'd greeted her. "And polite with it. Now that's rare these days."

She looked around her, still trying to work out where she was. "Young man, can you point me to where I can get a cab?"

[faramir_hurin]

That was unexpected. It also tells me that she wasn't waiting on anyone here.

"I hope that being polite will be helpful when I tell you that we do not have cabs here." At least I know what they are. "I'm not sure where you think you are, but this is the village of Haurvatat. I was also brought here as you were--all of us who live here in this hotel were brought from our worlds. One moment there and then here."

That's the simplest way to put it.

[hasgoodgraydar]

"I'm in New York... or I was..." Martha trailed off. "This definitely isn't New York, and I haven't started drinking yet, so I can't blame that."

Simplest way or not, it's obvious that Martha doesn't really believe him. Too many crazies on the streets of New York for her not to think he's just another one.

[faramir_hurin]

"It would be convenient to blame that, but the truth is that you are no longer there." She just happened to come to the hotel first? "All of us brought here stay at the hotel. If you go to the desk they'll have a room waiting, as odd as that sounds. Even more strangely, there will likely be some of your own things waiting for you."

A convenient if mildly disturbing thing.

"I suppose the good news is that you'll be able to do your drinking here. There are a number of bars and pubs in the village, including one inside the hotel. Drinking is a fairly common desire upon finding oneself here."

[hasgoodgraydar]

"Oh believe me, give me half an hour and I will be figuring out those bars." Because right now, Martha needed a stiff drink. "Really? A place can know your tastes? Who's in charge? I'd like a few words with them."

[faramir_hurin]

"I don't know about knowing your tastes so much as bringing your own things. As for who is in charge, there are many here who would like to know but so far I've not heard of anyone who knew."

If there ever have been, perhaps they're gone before they can tell anyone.

"I'm not entirely sure what else to say. The most important thing is shelter, and you've already made your way here on your own. The village extends credit to you so food is not a problem, nor any drinks you will require from almost any of the bars." As far as I know.

[hasgoodgraydar]

"And how does one get out of here?" Martha asked. "I've got people who rely on me, things to do. I can't be sitting around all day."

[faramir_hurin]

"That would be the difficult part. You cannot leave until allowed to do so--by the village or whoever is behind it. But when you do return, it will be to the moment you've left." So there is good news. "Some people have gone home and come back, and they lost no time at all. No one will know you're gone."

Except she herself, of course.

[hasgoodgraydar]

"You do realize that this all sounds crazy," Martha pointed out. "Why should I believe you? It sounds like something out of fiction. Not that there is anything wrong with fiction. My son has made a fortune out of it."

[faramir_hurin]

"Yes, I am aware that it sounds completely mad. Perhaps the best thing for you to do might be to see about your room--see that it waits for you and that it has some of your own things in it." I'm smiling because I do know exactly what it sounds like. "Once that is proven, the rest of what I say might be easier to believe."

I can only shrug.

"Pleasant or otherwise. I happen to enjoy my time in the village very much and when I return home I will have neglected none of my duty." Things are not always ideal, but better than could be hoped for. "I work at the library--who is your son? Perhaps I might find his books there."

[hasgoodgraydar]

"Living in a hotel room. I haven't done that for, oh a very long time," Martha said. Hotels were all very well for a visit, but she'd miss the comforts of home.

"My son? Richard Castle. He's a mystery writer. The Derrick Storm novels? Gathering Storm, Storm Season... the whole series. Though he's moved on from those, to the Nikki Heat novels."

[faramir_hurin]

"I never lived in such a place until I came here. After some months, the hotel changed my room while I was out and it now looks more like one of the rooms in the citadel--my home." Better than a cave like Henneth Annun.

"There is a man named Castle teaching at the school. I've not heard of those stories, but the strangeness of the village..." We are right by the desk. "It could well be your son."

All we need to do is ask.

[hasgoodgraydar]

"Teaching? That would be... interesting for him. He's a lively young man, but good with kids," Martha said with a fond smile at the thought of her son.

[faramir_hurin]

"I do not know that it is he." But how common is the name Castle?

I realise that I do not know her name, nor have I given mine.

"My name is Faramir. I should have said sooner." It can be confusing enough when meeting new people here, especially new arrivals. If she gives hers she'll be able to see that they have a room ready and maybe things will be slightly less mad.

Or more so.

[hasgoodgraydar]

Not very common, considering that Rick had changed his name legally to Castle from Rodgers.

"Martha Rodgers," Martha replied with an airy wave of her hand.