the empty road - 2. the room

by bofa xesjum

part two of forty

to read part one, click here

yes. he enters. the door closes. please step this way. the room is in shadows. lit only by an ancient fireplace. would you like a drink, she asks. i would prefer to get down to business. he is aware of another person in the room. i, too, would prefer to get right down to business. john prester turns and confronts his ancient adversary - prince ladislas o’brian. the prince has aged considerably since john prester has last seen him. the prince does not rise to greet john prester, but remains firmly seated. i could use a drink myself, if you do not mind, the prince adds. you used to sit before more roaring fires, if i recall, john prester retorts casually. the fires were more roaring all over the world in those days , the prince states decisively. mordant, mrs hartwright’s butler, enters with a tray of drinks and places it on a low table. are you sure you do not care for a drink, mrs hartwright asks john prester with a smile. a cup of coffee if you please, john prester replies and pulls a chair up closer to the fire. the butler leaves to get john prester’s coffee, and the prince picks up a sandwich from the tray and sighs. next