"It was the best of times; it was the worst of times," I recite, for the third time, yet to Bratty's confusion.
"So, like, uhhh, if it's the best and the worst, what is it?"
"Well–"
"And is one kitty the best and the other is, like, the worst?"
"There—euh... ma'am, the book isn't about cats. It says 'Two *Cities*.'"
"Berdly, I don't need you to spell it for me. I'm not, like, stupid or something," she lies.
I, totally tired of this, say, "Ma'am, do you want the book? You brought it to the desk."
She thinks for around 3 seconds and answers, "Uh... I bet Catti will like it, so, like, sure."
"Also, stop calling me 'ma'am.' It's, like, soooo weird."
I sigh, scan the book, and try to smile without looking annoyed. She just doesn't understand that I need to maintain a professional environment at the counter. It's in the Librarby™ employee handbook... which I wrote... but my point still stands!
I very much like my job, even though I'm the only employee. Taking care of the books is fun, and most of the people who come to check stuff out aren't annoying lexiphobes like Bratty.
—————
(The human, is there...)
(The books upstairs, not read.)
[ DO NOT ALLOW ACCESS. ]
(Understand.)
"...especially, the books upstairs."
I say. Say when the human, asks. And asks. And asks. I do not allow access.
—————
As I walk back behind the counter, I recognise a face I didn't expect to see here. The owner of that face is coming down the stairs and now... walking to the counter?
"Hey there, Kris. Slacking on our project already, I see?" I say teasingly.
Kris's eyes, from the little of them that is visible, look tired, and their hair is more entropic than its normal brand of dishevelled.
"The books upstairs."
(Not a complete sentence.)
I begin to explain the upstairs catalog once I understand the question.
"What—what about them? Oh, you are actually working on the project? Truly a rare moment to cherish... Well, up there, we've got stuff about science, monsters, humans, plants, et cetera..."
(I think Kris went AFK; I should have let them talk,) I think to myself embarrassedly.
"What is it that you wanted to find?"
"O-ok, bye," Kris says strainedly.
I watch as Kris leaves the building, completely perplexed by their odd behavior.
—————
It's near closing time when I see someone else coming downstairs. A large-ish bird with blue and yellow feathers, walking with a hunched back and awkward steps. I wave as he walks towards the door.
"Do you need any help finding something?" I ask, hoping to help.
Without a response, or acknowledgement of any kind, he shuffles out. I understand; plenty of people don't need to check out anything. It's nice to come to the library just to be here.
The establishment slowly empties as the day ends, and I get everything ready for closing. (There are only 3 books left on the ground today, surprising.)
I walk up the stairs and find that everything is as normal and I have nothing to do up there. Lucky... (Wait. What's that?) I find a small object on the ground, almost blending in with the carpet. I pick it up and notice that it's in fact a cyan-ish feather...
(Eugh, I hope nobody saw this. Uh, I hope that isn't mine. ...I should throw this away.)
(Where's... oh yeah, this place has no trash cans. Why don't we install one already?)
(...I suppose one doesn't install a trash can... To, uh, bring one in.)
I stuff the thing in my pocket and go back downstairs to finish up.
I lock the doors and walk outside, feeling the sorta-cold air hit my head. (Should I have brought a jacket? No, it'd be annoying to keep around inside.) I begin walking home and think back to my interaction with Kris earlier. (Why were they acting so odd? What's with the books upstairs? Whatever.)
I'm thinking about my school project as I get home and I go to my room. I plop all the contents of my pockets onto my desk.
—————
[ NEW INFO. HUMAN——TALKING——LAKESIDE. ]
[ INVESTIGATE———POSSIBLE———DEPTHS. ]
(The human talks to, the creature?)
[ AFFIRMATIVE. ]
(I will, investigate.)
(...)
(Why don't you just say 'yes'? Not, 'AFFIRMATIVE'.)
[ ... ]
[ CONFIDENTIAL. ]