by Paul Vayro
Chapter Thirteen
The rooms were definitely a disappointment in Brick’s eyes. As heroes about to embark on a mission to save the universe he’d expected a palace each. Not the basic accommodation on offer. He expressed his annoyance to Spiritwind and Bobby. All three had returned to the foyer after checking where they’d be sleeping.
“Not even a trouser press.”
“Why do you want a trouser press? You never take those off.” Spiritwind nodded towards Brick’s well worn jeans.
“The Guild don’t know that. For all they know I could be a hero who has pride in his appearance.”
“I found my room to be the essence of home. Once I’d added a few personal touches.” Bobby beamed as Spiritwind nibbled the complimentary biscuits that had come with the complimentary tea set in his own boarding.
“You’re small. It probably did feel like a palace to you.” Brick aimed his ire at Bobby.
“The rooms are allocated in relation to your size. Bobby will have the exact same amount of space as that monster over there.” Spiritwind pointed to a thirty foot beast with four legs and two arms. It was sipping from a cup whilst holding the saucer between two of its three lips.
“You can’t just make things up so I look stupid.”
“I haven’t made anything up. I read the manual that was on the bed.”
Brick had already lost interest in the conversation. He’d seen something far more appealing on the far side of the vast hall. “Does the word pub mean the same thing out in the depths of the universe?” A neon light hung above a darkened doorway, reflecting its contents in three simple letters.
“The word pub is a by-word for entertainment the length and breadth of all that is. Wherever it resides there are pockets of joy waiting to be devoured.” Bobby joined the group’s unspoken gravitation towards the mysterious room.
“At least we can get a drink, may be enough to get me over the disappointment of those rooms. Who doesn’t put a balcony in every room?”
“Aren’t we inside one massive building?” Spiritwind tried to introduce logic.
“Your point?”
“There’s no outside to put a balcony on.”
“Semantics my dear chap. Now let us drink.” Brick walked ahead, making it clear the discussion was over. Spiritwind was happy to discover several complimentary mints he’d pocketed without realising. Bobby was just happy.