Stacy--Part Forty-Four

Splog # 166

Forty-Four

   Shortly, Johnny turned down a short corridor that led to a spacious hall that was scattered about with wooden tables and chairs. There were people sitting at a couple of the tables but for the most part the hall had a deserted feel to it.

   "There aren't usually many people here this late in the morning," Lane explained, "but even at this time it isn't often quite so empty. And so quiet."

   Stacy did find the quiet slightly eerie. It made her think of being in a restaurant or cafeteria at a time when it was closed. Emptiness and silence in a place that was usually bustling with people could create a somewhat uncomfortable atmosphere.

   Johnny had approached a long table in the center of the room and, as Lane and Stacy came up beside him, he gave them a look half-disappointed and half-resigned.

   "Looks like limited fare again, Sis," he sighed.

   There were dishes and utensils and cloth napkins on one end of the table and the three of them each collected what they thought they'd need. As they moved down the table, they passed by quite a bit of vacant space. There was a large bowl of what looked like oatmeal and they all dabbed some onto their plates. Stacy spooned a touch into her mouth and found that it was warm and tasty. There was a platter with a few slices of toast on it, and next to it another platter with little fishes on it. Stacy put both on her plate and then filled her cup from a pitcher of water. Near the pitcher was a bowl containing assorted fruit.

   She turned to find Lane and Johnny pulling out chairs at a table quite nearby and joined them. They ate for some time in silence, Johnny and Lane appearing rather subdued. Stacy wondered whether it would be better to attempt some light conversation or leave them to pursue their own thoughts. It occurred to her that Splog had thought, for some reason, that she could help them with whatever had happened. But she didn't know anything about this place or the Doolins. She glanced around the hall. It seemed a pleasant enough place, although the lighting was rather dim. She imagined that, with the movements engendered by a crowd of people, it would probably end up being fairly cheerful and much brighter.

   "Stacy, I mentioned to Johnny about the tiger named Bones," Lane began, "and we - "

   "I guess it seems a little silly when I think of it awake."

   Lane and Johnny both began to protest at once. Lane put up a hand and said, "Do you want to tell her?"

   Johnny looked at Lane. "Who would tell it better?"

   Lane thought for a moment. "Neither."

   Stacy's forehead creased in wonder as the brother and sister put their hands behind their backs and Johnny counted, "One. Two. Three. Go."

   Johnny brought out one hand in a fist and Lane brought out one flat. They smiled at each other and Johnny began to speak.

   "When we first came here five years ago..."

   "Excuse me" Stacy interrupted, "but you lost. Paper beats rock."

   "Oh, that's Lane's idea. What do you say, Sis?"

   "I just thought that since one person wins and that feels kind of good then the person who loses should get the prize, or whatever they were playing for, and then they'll both feel good."

   She shrugged her shoulders and Stacy thought that she really liked Lane and Johnny.

   "So, like I was saying, when we came here five years ago, the Doolins gave us the habitation we're staying in now. It was furnished with everything we needed and, no one ever acknowledged who left it, but there was a welcoming gift on the central table, where my towers are now. It was a large animal molded in clay or something and there was a note with it. So, what do you think it was?"

   "Not a tiger?"

   "Exactly. And the note named him."

   "Bones?"

   "Yep. The note said, 'His name is Bones. Don't let his looks frighten you.' You didn't see him last night because we like to keep him in our rooms when I've got sculptures to work on. So he's residing with Lane at the moment."

   "'Don't let his looks frighten you''', Stacy murmured.

   Lane put in, "He has a kind of ferocious snarl and is perched on two legs as if about to pounce. Whoever crafted him made him extremely life-like."