Book Haven: Monday 10-5 [8-27-07]

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

Millie almost forgot to open the store this morning because Lana would not be around. She'd been up quite late the night before and might be caught dozing off from time to time while she pretended to read.

Comments

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

Stan decided to see Millie so he popped into the shop, ostensibly to pick up some fishing magazines.

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

"Hello, Stanley," Millie said cheerfully.

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"Hello, Millie," he said cheerfully. "How's your week so far?"

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

"Well, seeing as we're quite early in the first day of the week, I have to say it's been fairly good so far."

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"Then I'd say it's off to an excellent start. Listen," he said, leafing through a nearby magazine," I was thinking of having a cookout later on this week. Would you be interested?"

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

"I suppose," she said. "I'm not entirely sure what one is, though."

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"Oh," he said. "It's like a barbecue, like a picnic. I'll grill up something and you would just bring a side dish."

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

"A side dish?" she said, looking totally confused.

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"A side dish," he said, slowly. Oh, dear. "It's a dish of food that you would bring, like a dessert cake or a vegetable casserole, to complement the main meal. So...you wouldn't be familiar with the term 'potluck' either, I take it?" he asked with a small smile.

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

She shook her head. "None of this is at all familiar to me," she admitted.

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"Hrm. It's a tradition here, where some gatherings of people, everyone brings something to eat. Someone brings a main course like chicken or lasagna, someone else brings an appetizer, someone brings soda or chips, and that way no one person has to do all the work preparing for the party, and people get to eat a variety of foods from a variety of people. ...Does this make sense? Are you still interested?"

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

"I suppose," Millie said uncertainly. "It makes sense."

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"Have I completely confused you?" he asked. He put the magazine down. He was not just trying to read it upside down, and he wasn't nervous.

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

"Things here are just very complicated," she said. "We have nothing like this at all at home and were we to have a large dinner party at the castle, the cooks would be responsible for all of the food."

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"Well, at my castle, I am the cook," he said with a wink, "and this is a way for people to share special dishes with others."

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

"You live in a castle?" she asked curiously. "I did not think there were any here. And I will try to make a dish, but I am afraid that I am not a very competent cook. It was not something that was felt necessary for young ladies to learn."

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"A metaphorical castle, next to the clinic. It's a common American saying that 'a man's home is his castle'...and mine's here in Fandom. If you're uncertain about your cooking, you could always pick something up from Jeff, God of Biscuits, which is a name that puzzles me to no end."

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

Millie nodded, still looking a bit uncertain. "Not a real castle then. But a real God? And of biscuits? I will go and speak to him to find a dish."

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

Stan chuckled a bit. "I have honestly no idea. I believe it is the name of the establishment, and they are heavenly, but an actual God? I have my doubts."

Stan had not, after all, met Ares.

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

Millie nodded. "All right. I will see what I can do."

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"I'm trying to have it before the weekend, maybe on Thursday or Wednesday before the Movies in the Park. I will let you know. Can you think of some people to invite?" After all, it could still technically be called a party if it's a small handful of people. Or just two.

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

"I really only know Mary. And Mr Phale," she said. "Well, and the students who work for me."

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"Mary and Mr. Phale sound like a good choice. I will see when they're available, and once I have the plans, I'll let each of you know." His smile may have been infectious.

[Gaming night. Back in a few hours.]

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

She smiled back. "That would be very nice."

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"Excellent. Now, do you know where I can find Mr. Phale? I'll see if I can invite him today."

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

Millie gave him directions to Mr. Phale's house. "Oh, and you will have to invite Dr. Wilson as well. They are partners."

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"I certainly will," he said. "I might have to get another table, depending on the people," he chuckled.

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

"Wonderful," Millie said with a smile.

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

"I'll get started on this," he said, memorizing the directions, "and I will let everyone know. Thank you."

[livingasheth.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome," she said. "And I will see you soon."

[stanleykeyworth.livejournal.com]

He gave her a special smile and a head nod as he headed out the door, a mission in mind.