(Untitled)

[mmquitecontrary]

Mary Lennox is clutching a book, today, as she enters the bar; she makes her way over to the counter, climbs up onto a seat, and sits down to flip through it, a faint scowl of a frown on her face

Comments

[prone_to_panic]

Mary may be scowling, but Archie isn't. In fact, he's smiling. Wonder why?

"Good evening, miss Mary. May I inquire as to what you are reading?"

[prone_to_panic]

"I am ashamed to say that we didn't. There was little we knew how to do in that case. Our member with the most magic was on his honeymoon at the time."

He sighs softly.

"I think that you would be safe if you asked Bernard. He is in charge of most things around here."

[mmquitecontrary]

"I do not know Bernard," Mary says, a little doubtfully. "Could I write him a letter, do you think?"

[prone_to_panic]

"He's a very nice man, he's got red hair and his wife just had a baby boy not too long ago. However, if you would like to leave a note with Bar, I can guarantee you that he will get it."

Anything to be helpful.

[mmquitecontrary]

Mary approves of red hair - Dickon has red hair, after all - and so she nods amiably at this.

"Well, if his wife just had a baby," she says, reasonably, "he is not likely to have very much time to talk to strangers - so to write a note is probably easier."

[prone_to_panic]

Archie nods approvingly.

"You are a very sensible young lady, miss Mary. I think that that is a grand idea."

[mmquitecontrary]

Mary turns back to the bar, and places her hand solemnly on the counter.

"Bar," she says, "might I have a bit of paper? And a pen?"

[prone_to_panic]

The paper appears, it is a nice thick paper, and the pen is a 'modern' fountain pen. Let us all pause for a moment for as Archie marvels over this little gadget.

[mmquitecontrary]

"That is very odd looking," Mary says, a little doubtfully; her expression is not so much 'marvelling' as 'dubious'. "Will it write?"

[prone_to_panic]

Archie unscrews the top and peers at it for a moment, tests the nib on his fingertip, then writes To Bernard Wrangle on the top of the page in his precise hand.

"Oh. Well I suppose that answers that question. Would you like to dictate to me, or woud you rather write it yourself?"

[mmquitecontrary]

"I can write it," Mary says, rather haughtily - Mary has spelling and handwriting, thank you - and takes the pen.

Graciously, she adds, "I shall read what I am going to write first, and you can tell me if it is going to be impolite and make him less likely to say yes."

Mary knows her flaws.

[prone_to_panic]

Archie nods solemnly.

"I shall do my best, miss."

[mmquitecontrary]

Mary frowns, thoughtfully, and puts the pen on the paper.

"All right - I ought to start out 'Dear Mr. Bernard', I suppose - is that the correct way to address him? Or does he have a title?"

[prone_to_panic]

"Well, he is the head barkeeper, but I think that 'Mr' would be quite appropriate."

He nods encouragingly.

[mmquitecontrary]

Dear Mr. Bernard, Mary writes, accordingly, in stiff round letters, and pauses again.

"Ought I to say who I am first, before I talk about what I wish to do?"

[prone_to_panic]

"I think that is a very good idea, considering that you've never met eachother before. do not forget to put in exactly why you want to plant a tree there. I'm sure that considering the circumstances he shouldn't mind terribly."