h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hati, be a dear and put the padlock back on that broom closet, will you?

*sinks down into the Deep Purple Sofa enjoying the fire, the warmth, the comfort and the atmosphere of the café*

*Climbs down from the rafters, averting her eyes from the Editor so as not to contribute to any embarassment due to nakedness.*

*Changes the filters on the IIEM.*

There, now everything is fresh and clean.

IIEM, a Kona, black please. Nice and strong.

Great - open!

Hello, everyone please! M-m-m nice warm fire. Its great to be back.

{B4 shuffles through the snow outside, peeps in the café window as he passes, halts in his fresh tracks, looks again, then turns toward the door. Before he grasps the door handle, he pulls a current copy of tucked under his arm out, shakes it open, and rereads the headline. He backs up a pace to look at the awning and the logo on the main window. He smiles and folds the paper, tucks it under his left arm again, and opens the door. With a quick series of shuffles and stomps he knocks the last of the snow from his boots and looks up with a broad grin.}

Hey, everybody, I saw the advert and thought I’d step in. Been a while since I’ve been in; almost lost my way. Snow didn’t help any. Man! I’d have thought the climate here would be different than back home, but...
{The door swings closed behind him.}
So... can I have a cappu-- Um... Who’s this guy without shirt and shoes, and is he being served?

B4irethinkwalkingintoanestablishmentofquestionablerepute

*hangs the padlock on the closet door*

*adds few logs into the fire*

IIEM, I'll have my now, thank you.

*Wanders in*

I haven't been here in ages! IIEM, you know what I want.

{B4 steps past the unclad figure on the floor, uncertain if he should say something, lend a hand, or just ignore the situation.}
Stranger things have happened... {he mumbles aside to the Good Doctor}
You didn't help him out, did you? No, what am I thinking. Not your style, is it?
{As he approaches the serving counter, he notices the neatly folded pile of clothes on the floor beside the nude in-duh-vidual. He smirks.}
Dressed like that, must be an Editor. Yah, you’ll be alright.
{He turns and peruses the menu, spending a few long minutes going through the list, obviously NOT noticing the state of undress of the person behind him. He subconsciously begins to hum the tune ‘Bare Necessities’.}

Hmmm. Instead of that cappuccino, could I have ‘The Usual’? No. Wait, wait. It sounds good, but the ‘Heavenly 42’ sounds better. Just the thing to warm me up today. So...can I have one of those?
{He hums softly to himself, rocking back and forth on his heels, which causes his trenchcoat to sway as he does so. The snowflakes on his shoulders are dissolving and little trickles of water are dropping around his feet as he awaits his libation.}

B4thedaysfarspent&ifindmywaybackhome

*Smiles to old friends, Barney's in particular.*

Long time, no see, Barney's. Are you well?

*Places on the coffee table, takes the afghan off the back of the sofa and gently drapes it over the stunned editor.*

Wouldn't want any italics to catch cold now, would we? Hootoo is short staffed enough without having folks out sick.

*brings *

Witty Moniker - its so good to see you! How are you old friend? I've been very well, thanks. Its just that RL caught up to me BIG TIME, and I hardly had time for anything - mad, mad workplace for awhile, friends that were real drama queens - you know how RL goes! Before I knew it, MONTHS had gone by, and I hadn't been in my usual haunts.

But its so warm an cozy here, and still snowy and frosty outside. Think I'll just stay awhile. More please IIEM

Good lord! We only asked for an Earl Grey!

Good grief - quite the crowd here, eh? ~waves to all~

And Barney's! I haven't seen you around for ages!

*looks after the fleeing Editor*

Oh-oh - I hope we didn't scare them off for good...

IIEM, a Roobios please...

Crowd indeed, looks nice. And clean.

IIEM, I need something strong, like triple espresso.

Titania - hello, friend. Its so good to be back! I missed all of you so much!

Poor editor - bet he won't show up here for awhile. That's why I just walked away when I looked in the window and saw the cleaning bot.

Safer to come back later!

IIEM, a vanilla latte please...

*sinks down into the Deep Purple sofa*

IIEM, a vanilla espresso - and make it a triple please...

Hey all - guess what I saw on my way home today?

http://hem.passagen.se/kristina.r/aroma.jpg

Wow! What little street corner was that on? Seems like RL is starting to imitate VL.

B4someoneshowsupasmydoppelganger

[B4 sips the remnants of his Heavenly 42 and gazes out the window.]
Well, the weather's brightened up a bit and the temps have risen. Snows gone. So...
[He tips back the cup and lets the rest of the java sluice away.]

I'm on my way again. Thanks for being open. That really hit the spot. Catch y'all around again...perhaps if y'all open up a sidewalk café outside, say, for the Spring season. Anyway, gotta head home now...

B4thecaffeinefadesormybladderbursts