same, perfectly readable. He replaces it on the shelf. He goes to the desk where the brown leather book he procured from the Collector’s Club for Dorian rests. He attempts to see if whatever trick this is will focus the illustrations and the Arabic as well but when he opens the book to the title page not only are the curling illuminations clear, the title is in English.
Fortunes and Fables
it reads, clearly, obviously, in a fancy script but definitely in English. He wonders if it is printed in different languages and he didn’t notice before but as he flips through the pages each one shows the same familiar alphabet.
Zachary puts the book down, light-headed again. He can’t remember when he last ate. Was it at the party? Was that only the night before? He remembers the Keeper mentioning something about the Kitchen near the fireplace.
By the still-fuzzy fireplace (though he can tell from this distance that the ship in the painting above is captained and crewed by rabbits in an otherwise realistic seascape) is a panel set into the wall, like a cabinet door fitted into the stone, with a small button next to it.
Zachary opens the door to find a space that could be a dumbwaiter, with a small thick book and a box inside, a folded note card perched on top. Zachary picks up the card.
Greetings, Mr. Rawlins. Welcome.
We hope you enjoy your stay.
Should you require or desire refreshment of any sort, please do not hesitate to use our service system. It is designed to be as convenient as possible.
· Inscribe your request upon a card. The book contains a selection of offerings but please do not let its listings dictate your choices, we will be happy to prepare anything you wish if it is within our means.
· Place your request card in the dumbwaiter. Close the door and press the button to send your request to the Kitchen.
· Your refreshment will be prepared and sent to you. A chime will indicate its arrival.
· Please return any unneeded or unused dishes, etcetera, via the same method when you are finished.
· Additional access is available throughout the Harbor in designated areas for use when you are not in your chamber.
If you have any questions feel free to include them with your requests and we shall do our best to answer them.
Thank you, and again, we hope you will enjoy your stay.
—The Kitchen
Inside the box there are a number of similar note cards and a fountain pen. Zachary flips through the book which contains the longest menu he has ever seen: chapters and lists of food and beverages organized and cross-referenced by style, taste, texture, temperature, and regional cuisines by continent.
He closes the book and picks up a card and after some consideration he writes down Hello and thanks for the welcome and requests coffee with cream and sugar and a muffin or a croissant, whatever they might have. He puts the card in the dumbwaiter and closes the door and presses the button. The button lights up and there is a soft mechanical noise, a miniature version of the elevator hum.
Zachary turns his attention back to the room and the books but a minute later there is a chime from the wall. As he opens the door he wonders if he did something incorrectly or if perhaps they are out of both muffins and croissants but inside he finds a silver tray containing a steaming pot of coffee, an empty mug, a bowl of sugar cubes and a tiny pitcher of (warmed) cream accompanied by a basket of warm pastries (three muffins of varying flavors, croissants of the butter and au chocolat variety, as well as a folded pastry that appears to involve apples and goat cheese). There is also a chilled bottle of sparkling water and a glass and a folded cloth napkin with a single yellow flower tucked inside.
Another card informs him that the lemon poppy seed muffin is gluten-free and if he has any dietary restrictions to please let them know. Also if he would like jam or honey.
Zachary stares at the pastry basket as he pours his coffee, adding a drop of cream and a single sugar cube. The coffee is a stronger blend than he is used to but smooth and excellent and so is everything he tries from the pastry basket of wonderment. Even the water is particularly nice, though he has