Oh Logan, it’s alright. Hey, guess what? I have a riddle for you: Mr. and Mrs. Mustard have six daughters and each daughter has one brother. How many people are in the Mustard family?
(thank you to everyone who submitted a riddle! There were so many, I couldn’t include them all, but I had fun solving them on my own <3)
Logan stiffens. He doesn’t retreat, but he doesn’t relax either. For a moment, the library stills along with him.
Logan: There are six daughters... one son... nine. There are nine people in the Mustard family.
Logan puts his right hand to his head as he thinks.
Logan: My right hand... my left. I cannot hold my left hand with my left hand.
The longer riddle seems to keep Logan’s attention. The lights start to flicker less, and his left shoulder starts to sag down to a more relaxed position. Finally, after some thought, Logan answers.
Logan: While the riddle is long, it is merely meant to confuse the reader. There is only one person going to St. Ives, the narrator. Everyone and everything else discussed in the riddle is merely a person the narrator passes on the way to the town.
The lights stop flickering as Logan contemplates the riddle. After almost a minute, he starts to mumble a few words.
Logan: I’m unsure which option would be more suitable for a body. Is there no wrong answer to this riddle? Is it one I have to argue my reasoning to get the correct answer? I do not understand. What is a car exactly anyway?
Thomas chuckles to himself, and he tries to help him out.
Thomas: I know you haven’t seen one before, but cars have doors too.
Logan’s body stiffens, and he hums to himself.
Logan: Oh, I see. You must exit the car first, therefore opening its door. The car door is the first thing you would open.
Thomas: There you go. Are you feeling better?
Logan: Yes, very much so. I apologize for losing my... cool, as Roman would say.
Thomas: Roman, there’s an idea. Hey, do you want to come to the theater with us?
Logan: I... am unsure. I don’t often leave. You know this. Perhaps, especially after my emotional turmoil, it is best I stay within the safety of the library walls.
What Logan says seems to disappoint Thomas, but he doesn’t argue. Instead, Thomas turns to you.
Thomas: I’m not going to push him after all that, but I want to show you the rest of the town before the sun comes up. Would you like to accompany me to the theater? It’s got the heart and soul of this place down to an art.
After watching Logan’s meltdown, you’re inclined to agree. Perhaps it’s best to say goodbye to Logan for now. After all, you can always come to visit later.
—–
Chapter 2 Masterpost
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