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kerravonsen
“Excuse me?”
Giles looked up from his study of a sixteenth century treatise on the summoning of lesser demons and quickly slipped the book under the shelf of the check-in desk. “Yes? Can I help you?” His visitor was not one of the students, not that half them ever got as far as the library in any case. All those new-fangled computers and the Interthingy that Willow seemed so keen on.
“I’m looking for a book.”
Looking his visitor over, Giles took in the glasses and the non-fashionable clothing. At least, he assumed it was non-fashionable as it looked both comfortable and practical – and Buffy regularly told him that all clothing he preferred was soold-fashioned as to possibly pre-date Noah’s ark. He decided on tact rather than sarcasm.
“I’m sorry, you must have been misinformed. This is a school library and only pupils are allowed to take out books. Unless you’re the new chemistry teacher?”
His visitor shook his head, his overlong fringe flopping from side to side.
“Actually, I’m an archaeologist.” He held out a hand. “Dr Daniel Jackson.”
“Delighted to meet you. I’ve a strong interest in the past myself.”
Giles smiled in what he hoped was an encouraging manner.
“The auction last month…”
“Ah, the Julian estate. Some absolutely fascinating volumes. And the bindings!”
“Ah, yes, I did actually.” Giles felt it best not to mention that the binding was a key part of the spell binding a particularly nasty demon into the book.
“It’s the, er, book that I wanted to see you about. The auction catalogue showed some of the text – absolutely fascinating script, looks as though it’s written in an early version of Demotic. My initial translation of the page suggests that it may relate to my own research speciality.”
“Totally out of the question!”
“Uh..”
“You want to read it. It’s a fragile volume. I can’t afford to have it exposed to light or atmospheric pollution.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
“Really?”
“I’ve spent years of my life piecing together fragile scraps of papyrus. Of course I know how to care for valuable books.”
Guilt stabbed briefly at Giles. There was no doubt that the man was a fellow lover of old documents. Under any other circumstance, he’d have invited
“I’m sorry. Allowing the contents of the book to be read or copied will decrease its value when I come to sell it.”
“You value it for money!”
The pain of an enraged bibliophile bit deep into Giles’s conscience, but he had to be firm.
“Young man, do you realise that reading that book would release a demon capable of killing thousands?”
“Do you realise that the knowledge in that book could help protect Earth against alien invaders?”
“That is absolute nonsense!”
“You’ve allowed conspiracy theories to cloud your better judgement.”
“That’s a totally closed-mind attitude.”
“I’ve never heard such a ridiculous theory in my life!”
“Aliens!”
“Demons!”
In unison: “Well, at least I won’t have to worry about you alerting the world to the truth!”
no subject
“That is absolute nonsense!”
“You’ve allowed conspiracy theories to cloud your better judgement.”
“That’s a totally closed-mind attitude.”
“I’ve never heard such a ridiculous theory in my life!”
What I love most about this bit is we're not entirely certain who's saying what...