Emmeline/Jack Fotos

Brisco and Bowler

link to Brisco infoBrisco and Tim Leary: 'Cactus, anyone?'

This is Brisco, not Jack, but pretty darn close to a possible pairing of Jack and Em

link to streaming Jack!

This be Jack. But Am, not Em. And 1801.

                                                                           'The Revolution Had Been Won'

Here we have Aleister Parsons

                                                     aka Sebastion Cabot - I really had him in mind for Aleister.

The Man, and

                                                                                            the Machine He Loves

Al has his doubts

This one's great!

                Jack, er Brisco--A Man and His Orb                                      

  Future-Past-Shock-'Emmeline'???

Chapter 11 - A Flash in the Pan-to

Chapter 11
A Flash in the Panto
Jack and Aleister studied the  sinuous lines of the sinister ship before them. 'There doesn't seem to be anyone about,'Aleister noted, as he headed down the dock to the gangway. 'Just a minute, Al,' Jack followed after, surprised at his partner's careless temerity.
 He found Aleister already in the yacht's cabin and what appeared to be the captain's study. Parsons was closely eyeing a wall map showing the topography of the area with markings along certain routes, as well as a large red circle sketched around Pankhurst.'No one's here, Jack. Look--'Aleister pointed to the inset map of San Franciso's city center.'See the itinerary uphill there? This obviously traces the route to Mendation's theatre.'
 'We have to get there, now, and head them off!' Jack was just turning around when strong hands clamped chloroform-soaked bandanas about their faces and as a fog enveloped their senses, they sank down the wall to the bottom  and knew no more.
                              . . . .
As the evening deepened, fog crept in from the bay like a silent stalking beast which devoured the hilltops as it quested inland. Emmeline and Alice were already in the theatre lobby sipping sherries and  gazing about them at the colorful, convivial and rather eccentric crowd. Em noticed a few 'Oscars' -- gentlemen in green velvet suits with wide-brimmed hats in flattering imitation  of the poet and playwright Mr. Wilde, even  down to the carnations in their buttonholes. There were a few 'Jackys' there as well, young women in sharp suits and bowler hats, some smoking thin cigars, and some with dainty clay pipes which wafted an exotic, sweet and spicey scent over the crowd. A gay and electric ambiance reigned as people laughed and conversed in lively banter, some breaking into impromtu song, and even dance routines from some of the Jackys who were experimenting with a repetoire of their own;impersonating the great impersonator.
  'Well now, what fashionable grace is here bestowed upon our old den of iniquity
then?'The two friends turned to see Ian and Stephen making their way to their side, sherries in hand.
 'Oh, how lovely to see you both!' Em enthused. 'So you decided to take in the show after all!'
 'How could we say no to Jacky,'Stephen said, as he glanced around, nodding to folk here and there.
'Everyone seems to know one another here,' Em noticed, scanning the brilliant plumage of the patrons.
'Aye, 'tis so--radiant birds of a feather, and that!'Ian agreed with a wink.'As a matter of fact, entre nous, ma cheris, we are rather well acquainted with some players in the Internationales!'
 'And, with the Split Infinitives!' Stephen added, with a satisfied smile.
 'Ooh, I have so wanted to see them for ever, I have!'Alice was alight with anticipation.' They are the opening act, Em, the comedy-acrobat team! I made doubly sure we would be here early, so as not to heaven forbid  miss them!'
 Just then the chimes sounded the herald-- 5-minutes to showtime! 'We must find our seats!'Em realized, as she and Alice gave the two genial gents quick hugs goodbye. 'I know you shall relish the evening's entertainment!' said Ian, with lusty emphasis on his 'relish'as he blew them a saucy kiss from the stairway and Stephen waved adieu.
 'Em,'Alice put her hand on her friend's arm as they headed inside the theatre,'I think we are perhaps being followed!'
 'Oh, Alice! Surely not! Not now! We'll miss the first act...'Em was intent on those seats, just two rows shy of front row center.
  Alice sighed as she looked behind her in time to see a figure attempt to flatten itself against the wall behind a potted palm. A rather pudgy-faced man, very non-descript, Al had noticed was eyeing them from behind his programme whilst they were chatting with Ian and Stephen in the lobby. Well, he'd not be bothering them during the show, not in this crowd she decided.
  After checking to make sure he'd located where Emmeline and Alice were sitting, Mr. Pudge hovered in the alcove just off the aisle. In his hand he held a box which he opened to reveal something glowing within with a greenish phosphorescence.
 'Scuse me, sir, but you'll have to take your seat now, the show will be starting.' An
usher materialized beside him, urging him out of the aisle. Scowling, Pudge flipped the lid back on the mysterious black box and stalked back out into the lobby. When he was sure no one was looking, he scuttled back into the theatre and slipped behind the proscenium into the wings.
                                 . . . . .
Meanwhile, in a dark and cold waterfront warehouse Jack's first thought was that he was not feeling himself at all;his head ached, he was dizzy, and he realized, he was definately not home in bed.
  He lay on his side on a cold bare floor with his feet and hands tied and a gag in his mouth. It was night he guessed, although it was dark, he could discern some street light through the windows which were rather far upwards near the rooftop. He endeavored to sit up, which sent his head reeling and he nearly lost his lunch. He was able to lean back against a wall then and breathing slowly, he regained some measure of equilibruim. He heard a groan nearby. Aleister! It had to be!
  He began to roll/crawl over to where he had heard the noise, at last he rolled into his friend who was similarly trussed-up and gagged.Aleister was awake and began pounding his boots on the floor. Maybe he had something there...Jack flopped over on his side and attempted to roll over with his back to Al, and now was able to reach with his hands behind him into Al's boot. Al scooted his boots down, and Jack felt that he was wearing a dirk in his sock. Good man. Why his captors had missed that one, he could only put down to haste. He worked the knife out and began sawing the ropes from Aleister's legs. Thus freed, Al came to his knees and leaned over onto the knife with his arms and Jack soon sawed through his wrist bonds. Al reached up and pulled out the noxious gag, spitting. 'Hang on Jack! I'll soon have you free!'
  Parsons tore the gag from his friend's mouth first. 'Bleah!' Jack spat. 'Gods Al...where the hell are we? What bloody time is it?... I feel like hammered snake shit!'
 Al was working on cutting Jack's ropes. 'Just half a tick, old boy...there!'He sat back on his heels, and felt for his pocket-watch;which looked to be of the age, but when he pressed the winding mechanism on top,  it glowed in the dark. 'Dammitol! It's
nearly 11 p.m.! The show is nearly over...'
 'We're on the docks, still.'Jack staggered to his feet, bracing himself against the wall. 'We could conceivably make it before the show's over, if we can get the hell out of here!'
  The two men surveyed their surroundings, unable to find any egress, or even a crack in the wall showing any light that may be a door. 'Well, we have to move.' Jack looked up at the rafters at least 15 feet above them where the windows were. 'We have to get up there somehow.'
  'Well, we have rope!' Aleister began gathering up their bonds. 'Some of it is still rather lengthy...' he strode to where a ceiling beam was outlined by the faint light from the windows above and after afew tries, managed to toss the rope over the beam.
'Nice of them to leave us this...!Up you go, Jack!'He tied a loop on the end and slipped the other through, pulling it up tightly about the beam. 'Seems sturdy enough to hold you!'
 'We'll see...' Jack knotted the bottom end of the rope and began to pull himself up it whilst bracing himself against the wall with his boots.'Nearly there...' at last he was able to swing a leg over the ceiling beam and scoot himself over to the window... 'I think I can get it open, Al. It'll be quicker if you just follow me up and we both take the window out.'
 'Easy for you to say...'Aleister mumbled to himself as he grabbed the rope and began to slowly trace Jack's vertical steps up the wall. Joining his friend above, Jack turned to him, 'I'll need your knife,'which he took and began to try and jimmy the window open. It was old, caked with rust and grime which he tried to stab through, pounding on the hilt 'til at last a creaking  of metal gave way and inch by stiff inch the window opened enough for them to crawl out onto the lower roof.
  At one end of the building they found they were able to leap onto a neighboring rooftop which held a fire escape. Heading down that, they made a last long leap onto the solid pavement.
  'Well, now where are we?' asked Jack.
                                   . . . . . .
The house lights came on to the roars of resounding applause and actual roars as well,
as Jacky Changeling, The Internationales, and the Split Infinitives all were taking their bows whilst the delighted audience kept tossing roses and many carnations onto the stage amidst whistles and calls of 'We love you, Jacky!' and even, 'Marry me, Jacky!'while Jacky blew kisses to all and waved like the Queen.Meanwhile in the balcony an impromptu rendition of 'The Internationale' began to take on a life of it's own and soon the entire theatre was singing along, with the players on stage joining in lustily as well. The crowd then linked arms or with hands on each other's shoulders began to sway in time to the music, so that when the final bars were heard--
'The Internationale...unites the human race!'everyone in the house was carried away on the tides of sisterhood, brotherhood and every 'hood in between, but all felt truly united with one another, if only for one magical Solstice evening.
As the crowd settled down, Em and Alice eyed one another smiling, with misty eyes, and headed out into the aisles with the happy throng which milled out into the lobby.
 'That was absolutley the best show I've seen, ever!' Emmeline gushed fervently. 'We must go see Jacky to express our sincere appreciation!'
 'Are you quite barmy my girl?'Alice asked with a tilt of her head.'Everyone and their
chee-wow-wow are heading to her, er his, dressing room now!'
 'So!? That doesn't mean we can't join them as well...Come on, Al!'Em wheedled.
 'Oh why not? It isn't as though anyone is waiting for us...'Alice agreed reluctantly, as they headed into the wings.
                                . . . . . .
Someone was waiting there for them. As they joined the small crowd of well-wishers standing outside of Jacky's dressing room, a pudgy-faced man sidled up behind them, holding what appeared to be a nondescript matte-black box. As he opened the lid, a greenish light appeared in the cracks on the top. Just then, Jacky's door opened allowing a rush of fans out while Emmeline and Alice took the opportunity to slide around them and in to see Jacky. The door was closed firmly in Pudge's face.
Jacky was seated at her dressing table, with her signature bowler hat off allowing her long black tresses to cascade freely down around her shoulders. As dapper and cocky a gentleman as Jacky Changeling was onstage, here in private, although she still wore her black suit, she seemed an elegant and almost regal woman. When she turned to greet the two ladies however, they could still discern that elfin and rather cocksure, mischevious dimpled grin that had so charmed all the girls and half the men there that night.
'Jacky Changeling, as I live and breathe!'Alice was reduced to a mere schoolgirl, with a schoolgirl's crush again.'I never thought I'd be standing here before you , in the flesh as it were! Alice Stein, one of your firmest fans, my dear!'
Jacky took Al's hand in a solid grasp,'I'm flattered, Alice, thank you!'she replied in her low, husky and deeply sexy musical voice.
'Oh, Jacky! I, too, was just saying to Alice, this is the best show I've seen!'Emmeline
bent to shake her hand in turn,'Emmeline Page! Al and I both work for the Pankhurst library back home!'
'Pleased to meet you, Emmeline!'Jacky took Ems hand and held it just a while. 'Librarians, eh? I always wondered what amusements librarians were partial to...'she grinned at them, whilst she cast a wink over her shoulder at a woman who stood next to her dressing table, and was arranging the many bouquets of flowers into vases and the odd bottle.
'Allow me to introduce Velvet,' Velvet bowed to the ladies. With her black velvet suit and dark eyes and hair she well complimented her sobriquet.
  Abruptly there came the sound of a sudden din from outside the dressing room. Voices were raised and the sound of scuffling was heard just as door flew open and a pudgy-faced man was shoved out onto the floor by two men who rushed inside the room, slamming the door behind them. It was Jack and Aleister!
  'Please excuse the intrusion!'Aleister exclaimed, looking rather the worse for wear. He then produced a black box which he held with both hands before him.'No time for explanations! We must go!--Now!'
  As the clock from the cathedral outside began to chime midnight, Jack and Aleister took the arms of the astonished Emmeline and Alice. Em looked questioningly at Jack, he nodded reassuringly to her;and as Aleister opened the lid on the innocuous black box,
a flash of brilliant light engulfed the room,blinding everyone.

  When Jacky and Velvet could see again, they found that they were the only ones there.
  '...Librarians!' Jacky said, shaking her head.
                                      . . . . . .
..to be enjoyed whilst sipping sherry and listening to the incomperable Grace Jones sing 'La Vie en Rose' ala Christine/Chrisophe alongside Tim Curry...

Ch.10- Mid-Winter Solstice Beckons

Chapter 10
Mid-Winter Solstice Beckons,
( or Curses! Foiled again! )
or (think french farce. think Molie're, oui?)
Jack and Aleister sat down heavily in the parlor as Yeats made up the fire.
For a while, nothing could be heard except the ticking of the wall-clock, which now displayed 1:30 a.m...and Solstice morning.
Jack sighed as he leaned forward, elbows on his  knees, and held his head in his hands.'Well now what?' he asked dejectedly.'we've blown it Aleister. In our hubris, we didn't even calculate the other 1/2 of the equation. Now see where it's gotten us...'
Parsons seemed thoughtful and uncharacteristically quiet. After some time, he stood before the fire and opened a cigar box on the mantlepiece. 'All is not yet lost, Jack,' he said, withdrawing a cigarillo. 'We still have the entire day before us.'
'To do what, exactly?' Jack looked up, his eyes rather bloodshot, Aleister noticed. The lad was taking this badly.
'Well,'Parsons continued, striking a lucifer and taking a deep draw, 'To begin, now that our little plan of staying here with the ladies has been over-ruled...'
'...out-gunned, out-flanked and out-maneuvered!' Jack interjected.
'...eh, Jack, this isn't a war you know...'
'Isn't it?' asked Jack, standing, and scratching his hair, he began pacing the room like a caged puma.
Parsons sighed, and looked down into the flames as he blew slow smoke rings.
'I admit that perhaps I've been abit over-confident.' Jack stopped and regaled him with a sharp look. 'Fine, yes, I admit it--I underestimated our worthy ...partners-to-be, let us say! For, Jack--I've certainly not given up as yet!'
'Alright.'Jack stopped pacing and joined Parsons at the fireside. 'I'm all ears, Al. How do you propose we salvage the situation? Emmeline and Alice
are off to San Francisco today ' the clock chimed 2 a.m. 'Soon.'
'Yesss...'Parsons blew a forceful smoke-cloud into the fire.'We should get to bed then. We'll have a long day of it now!'
'...doing...?What, pray tell?'
Parsons turned and put his back to the fire,facing Jack at last.'We're going to San Francisco, of course!'
                                    . . . . .
After Emmeline and Alice stopped by Pankhurst Inn to bid farewell to Em's family, they headed to the station to catch the 9 a.m. train to the City.
As always, Emmeline caught a small thrill of excitement to see the chugging, steam-belching ironhorse come puffing into the station,exactly as she had done since she was a small girl. Then, although it frightened her somewhat, she always became excited at the thought of going new places, seeing different scenery. This remained her Magic Carpet, and despite the great engine's smoky and noisome din, it delivered her off and away still, into the Great Otherwhere.
Alice and Em found seats and  settled in for the ride. Hearing the whistle blow, Em looked at Alice with her face alight. 'We're off at last!' she exclaimed. 'Oh, how I've looked forward to this!'
Alice smiled at her. 'You're such a kid, still!--that's what I like about you, Em dear. Shall we have coffee then? We are on vacation, may as well
swell it, eh?'
'That would be lovely, yes.' Emmeline agreed. Their tickets were collected and Em brought back coffees from the dining car. 'Well, I'm glad that we had the chance to speak with Amelia and Aran on the matter of last night's appearance of that...phenomenon. I don't know what else to call it, as yet.' she took a cautious sip of hot coffee as the train got up steam and began to roll out of the station.
Alice blew on her steaming cup. 'It has definately captured young Aidan's imagination! I wish that he hadn't been the one to witness it! Best to leave your family out of it--whatever that thing is. I certainly don't trust it!'
'No,'Em agreed, becoming thoughtful. 'For the life of me, Al, I can't fathom it. I shall have to bring the matter up with the Druids. Perhaps something in their past lore...maybe there have been records of something similar from long ago.'
'Quite possible,' Alice sat back, comfortably rocking with the coach as it sped across the green landscape which would turn to gold come summer. They could see the Coastal range now, partly covered in early morning fog still. Hopefully, it would clear by the time they reached the ferry which would bring them to the city.
                               . . . . .
"Oh, Alice! It's a perfect day!'Emmeline exclaimed as she and Alice strolled along the sunny Embarcadero en route to their assignation with the Captain and Mr. Orez for luncheon.
'Indeed it 'tis,'Alice beamed, taking in the sights. The City wore her finest for the holiday season, and occasional groups of carolers would come singing through the crowds lining the waterfront, as shoeshine boys hawked their services and jugglers and buskers plied their entertainment up and down the piers.
Taking a deep breath of cold sea air, Emmeline felt renewed. It had seemed an age since she'd been here last, and soon the days would be growing longer again. Time to shake off the winter doldrums.
'What is this I see before me?' a deep voice from beind them startled the two ladies,'Surely 'tis a mirage, perhap a fey apparition from the sidhe, for nothing existing upon this mortal plane shines so with such bright glamour be!'
'Keithcliff, you fair gave me a start, you rogue!'Emmeline turned and saw that here indeed was her Captain with Mr. Orez in tow, both grinning like school boys to have successfully ambushed their quarry so stealthily from behind .The Captain took Em's hand and pressed it to his lips, 'Milady.' he intoned in his  low voice with the English accent that Emmeline found so very charming, still. 'Keithcliff, it's so good to see you again, and you as well, Mr. Orez, how are you?' Em turned to that worthy gentleman who had meanwhile been making the re-acquaintance of our Alice, whose arm was readily entwined with his, and they were staring into each other's eyes and
smiling dreamily like teenagers. 'Ah, Mam'selle Page, how do you do,' Orez bowed low.
'Indeed, the fair Alice!' Keithcliff now turned his Old World charm upon Mrs Stein,who offered her hand. 'I hope that you are not much troubled by the tenacious barnacle which has attached itself to your gentle person...'he brushed his lips over her glove and grinned rougeishly at Mr. Orez.
'Already he challenges me to the duel!'Orez stood like a matador in the bull ring.'I may allow you to make amends by buying the first round!' he finished with a wide smile of his own.
'So be it!'Keithcliff finally ended the friendly fire, and together the foursome strode down to the end of the pier where Neptune's Palace stood, commanding a fine 3/4 view of the bay.The gentlemen had reserved a window seat and held chairs for the ladies as they made themselves comfortable and drank in the beauteous seascape before them.
They ordered drinks and luncheon, and began, it seemed, where they had left off--was it only just last summer that they had all been here together? 'So!'Keithcliff said, raising a glass of ale, 'To the return of the Sun King and Queen, then! Sol Invictus!'
'Sol Invictus!' the party rejoined, clinking glasses of ale and wine, in toast to the midwinters' advent.After describing their present journey's destinations and trade,along with the news which was no news, that Liverpool had lost again to Derby County, the team that had held the cup for these 3 years past, the Captain then turned to Em and Alice. 'And so what have you ladies been doing all this while, then?Besides pining for us, of course!' he gave a rascally wink at Em as he finished his ale and waved to the waiter for a second round.
'Oh, we've managed to keep busy, haven't we Alice?' Em said dryly.'...let's see, there was the hideous attack by phantom spirits of avenging Indians during the war games at the library's playing field, then the matter of the near-riot during Gertrude Sanger's lecture on family planning...'the Captain and Mr. Orez she noticed with satisfaction had even put their glasses down and were listening intently,...'oh, don't worry--the police managed to arrest the bishop and his rabble before they could do any damage! Am I leaving anything out, Alice?'
Alice took up the thread, 'Just the wee matter of your haring off to that haunted old Crowley estate with that Mr. Van Horn, where his accomplice Dr. Parsons exsanguinated you...'
'Here now, what's this?' the Captain was on the alert now, practically bounding out of his seat.'Oh, do be seated, Keithcliff, please! Alice, you know it wasn't like that, and the doctor and Mr. Van Horn have become good friends of ours now!' Em explained, putting her hand on his arm.
'Oh, have they now?' Keithcliff sat back down, and took a gulp of ale.'Do tell.' he said with a sideways glance at Em.
'Well,'she wasn't about to be flustered by trivialities, and continued with her recollections.'It was my choice entirely to provide a blood sample for the doctor to compare with that of the injured players who suffered the attacks by the avenging Indian spirits. It seems that portion of the esplanade was built over an old Indian burial site.'
Keithcliff's eyebrows shot up but he remained seated at least. 'Go on.'
Alice then took up the narrative,'Well, Em had just returned from viewing those self-same spirits just after the attacks, with Dr. Parson's spectre-scope, when --'
'A spectre--what?' Mr. Orez inquired, his head leaning on his hand, now, as if bracing himself for the answer.
'Spectre-scope!'Alice continued.'It's a scientific instrument invented by the doctor, which enables one to view non-corporeal entities.'
'I see,'said Mr. Orez, drinking deeply of his wine, and clearly, not seeing at all.
'So then,'Alice went on,'It was a bit of luck that Em, Jack and Aleister--that's Dr. Parsons--arrived when they did, because there I was, all alone but for MacGregor, when there came a tornado-producing cloud that hovered over my own back yard, and shot a beam of light to the ground, then left--after it etched a sigil into the grass! Fair drove Mac to madness! Such a row I've never heard from my wee pup before!'Alice finished taking a sip of her wine in turn. Then she noticed the men staring at her with bewildered countenance. 'It's all true! In fact the  mark is still there, you can see it! As well as the other one...'
'...the other one?' asked the captain.
Emmeline sighed,'The other glyph, sigil or whatever it is. It's a similar
marking made in the grass, just last night. My nephew Aidan and MacGregor saw it happen, they were outside at the time having a walk.'
Silently, the captain and Mr. Orez looked at each other.Luckily, just then their luncheon arrived and attention was diverted to the choice seafood dishes which were now set steaming before them.The party applied themselves with relish to the task at hand and conversation was directed to more mundane topics by Emmeline.
'Well! All in all, lately we have experienced in person that old Chinese saying:'may you live in interesting times!'She paused between forkfuls of her seafood salad. 'And, Alice and I were fortunate enough to have Gertrude Sanger over for dinner. I so much enjoyed her company; Such a wonderful person, Keithcliff! I know you would like her!'
'That she is!'agreed Alice, ' Although her valiant efforts are sometimes not appreciated by some!  The war against ignorance and prejudice is an interminable and often thankless task!'
'Oh, Keithcliff...I sometimes despair of my countrymen!' Emmeline confessed to her companions.'I do so miss England at times! It seems indeed such a 'green and pleasant land!'
At this, the captain snorted derisively, 'Oh, you are seeing things with a visitor's eye, so you are, my girl.' He sipped his ale and set it down hard.
'At least here in your country with it's melting-pot of many cultures and peoples there is at least, somewhat of an excuse for the occasional clash of ideologies, let's say.  In Old Blighty, it's us against us!...you're forgetting, Em, when you were there to meet my mates, how surprised you were that Cockneys weren't well-liked by people in  the midlands and the north, and vice-versa!Not to mention,we've the Welsh, the Scots and lord love 'em,the Irish!'He smiled and put a large rough hand on Em's.
Em put her other hand atop his, 'Yes, I do remember now...you're right. People are the same, all over...'
'...the same, indeed, Senorita, that means both good and bad, angel and demon, no?'interjected Mr. Orez, wisely.
'And which are you today, my old dear?'asked Alice, as she offered a garlicky prawn from her fork his way, which he snapped up in a trice. 'I am whichever you desire, Meu coração!--Or indeed--both!'A wide grin split his broad tanned face, and Alice tucked a long black curl behind his ear, which sported a small gold ring.'We shall see, Senor.'she said.
'Ladies!'announced the captain, 'Would that we had eternity to spend in your enchanting company! However, the sea demands our attendance tonight, and  we poor sailors e're must heed her siren's call...I propose a walk along the promenade while we have this all too brief time in which to bask in your
graces!' And, with that, the company made ready to leave, with hunger well satisfied, but with other senses still questing after gratification.
                           . . . . .
As the couples made their way down the waterfront, they were blissfully unaware of  a pair of men who followed them from outside the restaurant and on down the promenade. The mid-day crowds were thick with holiday shoppers, and Jack and Aleister had no trouble blending in with the throng. As Alice and her escort stopped at the pier's edge to watch the sea-lions, Captain Omen and Emmeline strayed further down to take a seat in the other corner and enjoy a space of relative quiet amidst the hub-bub.
Aleister and Jack drew themselves up behind a peanut vendor's wagon which hid them from the other's view.'...at least I think that's that same Captain Omen who had written to Emmeline from Liverpool,' Jack ventured, buying some hot roasted nuts and munching distractedly as he viewed the couple with a cold eye. Emmeline had tossed her head back and was laughing merrily at some jest of the captain's. 'What he sees in her is obvious, but  really! To think I'd assumed he was some old uncle of hers! I bet he's not a real captain! He seems rather young, don't you think?'He angrily chewed his nuts.
'Now, Jack, let's not forget we're here to observe, quietly and unobtrusively!' Aleister reached over, helping himself to some peanuts. Just then, they heard a squeal of glee from Alice as Mr. Orez lifted her down from the step she had mounted to better view the seals, and was swinging her around in a playful arc to the ground.'I say, though, what's all this dancing about with Alice there! you would think they were two teenagers at a carnival! Who is this rascal who treats Mrs. Stein with such familiarity?' Aleister seemed then to forget about peanuts and discretion and had begun to approach closer to  where Alice and Orez were now throwing nuts to the seagulls and at each other, laughing all the while.
'Aleister, old son!'Jack caught his arm, smiling now. 'Believe me, I understand your consternation! But as you said...'he pulled Parsons back behind the nut-wagon, 'we are here to merely observe, as silently as possible, yes?'
Aleister swallowed his nuts with a dry mouth.'Bah! I need a drink!' he declared.
                             . . . . .
The sun was rather lower in the sky as the air began to cool and Emmeline brought her shawl out of her bag, draping it with Keithcliff's help, about her shoulders.'Would that I could stay and help keep you warm,' said the captain, with his arm about the bench behind her.
Em smiled up at him. 'Ah, but you must heed that siren's call! I know you Captain, and Mr. Orez as well! Neither Alice or myself can ever compete with your first mistress, the sea...'
'You two are hardly languishin' about, though, are you now?' Keithcliff eyed her, leaning back a little. 'Fess up Em! You can tell your old Captain if you fancy a new toy now!' His mouth tightened a bit as he looked out to sea then, as if to seek reassurance in it's eternal presence.
'Oh, my 'Old Captain' is it?' Em put a finger 'neath his chin and made him face her. 'I've no one else, you know that! ' She kissed him lightly. 'And I don't even have you either, not really. You're right about your first love, the sea. I cannot compare! I shan't win a losing battle.'Em smiled at him and gazed out upon the placid bay, dotted with sails.'You forget I love the water, too.You needn't worry, old dear. You know I shall love you just as we both love the sea, always.'
'And I, you,'said the Captain, as they kissed, each  feeling the pleasure of the moment and it's attendant painful promise of the ending soon to come.'Aye, we're a pair and no mistake!' he  declared, standing, offering his hand to Em, who took it and joined him on the walk back along the pier.
'Can't bear to be apart, and can't bear it together, either! Not for long, anyways...Oh, I know you're a woman with strong ideas and a mind to live out all of 'em in the extreme! Don't deny it!' He cast a worried glance her way.'But have a care Em, me darlin'...It sounds as if you may be in over your head this time. '
Emmeline patted his hand and held it as they strolled over to where Alice and Mr. Orez were lounging by the railing, heads bent together in their own
bittersweet good-byes. 'I appreciate your looking out for me, always my dear...but we must dance to our own piper's tune, as you know.'
'Aye,'said Keithcliff, eyeing her darkly as he pulled her up,facing him, 'But there comes a time when ye must pay the piper his due!Don't forget that my girl!' He gazed earnestly at her then,lifting a hand to touch the scarlet locks glowing in the sunset radiance, and gently stroking her cheek.'Have half a care, then.I want someone to return to.'
'You will have, I promise.'Emmeline rose up to place a light kiss to his lips, as Alice and Mr. Orez sauntered up to them, hand in hand still.The couples made their fare-wells as the sun headed into the bay, unaware of the watchful eyes of those who were tracking them and their every move.
                                  . . . . .
'Did you see that?' Jack snarled to Aleister, as they looked out from behind their post now situated behind the marina's office.'Can they cease kissing for a minute, you think!?' he demanded.
Aleister glanced up now and then from the map of the city he'd been studying. 'No more distressing, I assure you, than watching the gyrations and childish games that the merry widow Stein has been indulging in with that, eh, foreign gentleman...'he noted dryly, now folding his map and gazing out at the boats dockside at the marina.
'Yes, well..I say, Al, aren't you supposed to help me keep watch here, we don't want to lose them!'Jack  noticed the doctor was heading away from their target and was approaching a rather large yacht  that was docked
at the end of the pier. 'What now,'he grumbled, striding after him.
As Jack caught up with Aleister, he looked over the sleek lines of the obviously expensive  vessel now glowing resplendent in the sunset.'What is it? Anyone you know?'Jack asked lightly.
'Look at the flag she flies, Jack. Recognize it?' Aleister pointed at a flag which fluttered from the mast.  It's symbols were a triangle within a circle.
'Damn and blast!' Jack recognized it alright.They weren't the only stalkers that Emmeline and Alice had had that day.
 El Juan had beat them at that little game.
                                 . . . . .
Well, well, indeed. Where Emmeline goes, trouble soon follows, it seems! Not only are Alice and Em unable to have a peaceful rendezvous with their gentlemen friends, but are doubly-shadowed by  both Parsons and Van Horn and who else? None other than the perpetrator of the desecration of their back yard as well, the nefarious El Juan Flubber!-- who has seen fit to follow the entire company in his luxury yacht! What fresh hell is this then? Be sure to find out, as the solstice draws to it's climatic end,shall we find our heroine still safe from the fickle finger of Flubber? Don't miss the next meaty installment of--Emmeline Page, Revolutionary Librarian!
...to be imbibed with a light Reisling perhaps and your favorite reggae music...(unless you absolutely insist upon 'Brandy' by Looking Glass)vive la revolucion! 'i like to dine, in a foreign clime...'Salut!

Chapter 9 - Merry Solstice Eve

Chapter 9
Merry Solstice Eve
In Which Aidan Comes Upon a Mystery, Emmeline Comes Clean,
A Trio of Wandering Minstrels Comes for Dinner, and Jack and Aleister Come a Cropper when they Underestimate the Fair Sex (Again!)
Emmeline rode to work on the trolley alone. Alice was taking some time off for the midwinter holidays. She noticed that although the car wan't crowded, several young persons sat sprawled across the front seats, which were normally reserved for elderly and infirm passengers. Kids nowadays, she thought,no respect!
As the car filled, Em became more agitated to see an older Asian woman was made to hobble with her cane past the front seats still occupied by the sprawling young men and one clueless girl. Em sat well towards the rear, as usual.Why doesn't the driver mention something about the rules? As she exited, she enquired on her way out, 'I thought the front seats were to be used for the elderly or infirm? Have things changed now?'
The driver ducked his head, not looking at Em. 'It's merely a standard we try to observe, not a set rule. With the gangs becoming more violent of late, I worry about getting home to my family in one piece, Miss.'
Emmeline took her leave and marched toward the library, now free of picketers for a change. What was the world coming to? It was more and more someplace she did not want to be.How she longed to simply get away from it all! She recalled with painful sentiment, of England and how civilized and more polite even!-it seemed,in comparison to the rough ways of her countrymen.How she missed hearing 'No worries, luv!' from the Cockneys in London, or 'Mind your step,ducks!' from the northerners.There were toughs about in the UK, of course, but
she somehow didn't think their rude ways would extend, en masse,to the discomfort of old ladies .
She headed for the staff room upstairs and pouring a cup of tea, sat down with the Courier as she had arrived early for work.Yes, more agitation and altercations among the youth gangs of late. Lately, with the economy on the downturn, things had gotten more racially divisive. Poncey Winebar had made some comment about limiting immigration, especially Asians. Oh, they could come and endure hardships building the railroads and then
back home with you!--so it sounded now. Was that what had caused the blatant rudeness on the trolley this morning?
Emmeline thought about that. What if people knew of her Indian heritage? True, she was mostly Welsh/Swedish, for some reason the Erik the Red of her father's side won out over the dark hair of her mothers Welsh/French/Cherokee genes.She'd taken her mother's maiden name of Page herself, as her Swedish name didn't roll off American tongues and she had felt the need to distance herself from her absent father, not really wanting to be reminded of him.
But, if people knew she was part Cherokee, would they suddenly begin treating her differently?  She had always assumed so. But, how much so? And was that what mattered?  Emmeline thought of her recent conversation with Jack and Aleister, and how they assured her they would not disclose the fact of her  Indian blood to the public.
Emmeline recalled a saying her aunt had told to her. Although her mother never mentioned their heritage, feeling perhaps some secret disapproval from her father Em guessed, her aunt would pipe up occasionally with bits of information gleaned from their grandmother:
'Do not put one foot in the red man's canoe and one foot in the white man's boat since the ancestors foretold that a great wind would come and tear the canoe and the boat away from each other.Those people with one foot in the canoe and one foot in the boat will fall into the river and no power this side of creation can save them.'
She felt regret then, thinking of her comment, 'I'm hardly DAR.' And what if she wasn't? She was still a fine, upstanding citizen, and a taxpayer, wasn't she? She deeply regretted her attempt to gloss over her genetic makeup. Was she trying to 'pass' as the Afrikan-American community called it? Why shouldn't she let the world know? Oh, Emmeline, what a hypocritical fool you have been. Whatever happens, I can't live with myself if I don't have the courage of my convictions, she decided. 'I'll write a letter!' she said.
'Eh, what's that Miss Page?' Oh, wonderful...here was Director Dickman hovering hard by. Well, no time like the present!
'Oh, Mr. Dickman, good morning! I was just perusing the Courier, and I thought I might write a letter to the Editorials page. The problem of the youth gangs seems to be rather increasing in scope of late.'
'Yes, yes,'Dickman dithered,'Nothing seems to help, although we certainly tried!' The bloody games, Em knew that was his version of putting a bandage on a bullet hole. 'But do have a care Miss Page, no mention of where you work now!'
'No, sir, I mean for it to be altogether personal in content. I have noticed some local racial tension of late. I wish to call attention to the fact that here in America, we are a melting-pot and we should be proud of our diversity! I myself am part Cherokee, you know!'
At this, Dickman spat out a laugh.'Ha! That's a good one! Our
ginger lass an Indian Maid!Miss Page, you are a corker!'
Emmeline wasn't having any of his bad manners just now,'It's true, sir! On the distaff side! And I'm not ashamed to speak of it.Excuse me.' With that she spun on her heel and took her exit, leaving Dickman to ponder that bit of intelligence.
                             . . . .
Later that day, she noticed a new position posted on the bulletin board. Circulation Supervisor, it read, open to all who have been employed a minimum of 5 years by Pankhurst Public.
That's me, thought Em. She had always wanted more of a say in how the library was being managed, here was her chance! Tonight will be a busy one, she decided, I'll apply for this position, it would pay more as well!... And also pen that letter to the Courier.
                           . . . .
That evening was a chill one. As it was nearly Solstice Eve, that was as expected. Em sat at her desk, pleased with her finished application and the letter to the editor. Ah, just one more thing...
Just then, Alice poked her head around Em's open door. 'Busy still, Em?'
'Not so much! I was just going to ask, Alice--shall we invite Jack and Dr. Parsons to our Solstice Eve gathering?'
'But of course!'Alice agreed.'Let's see...how many will that be? I did ask Mrs. Smith from the theatre guild, you remember her from Gertrude's lecture?' Em nodded.'And your sister and
her husband and our Aidan will be there, won't they?'
'Oh, yes, that's a cert! How good it will be to see them! I haven't seen Aidan in so long! I wish I'd more time off, so that we could visit more often...his father's diplomatic office keeps them all so busy as well. I'm glad he's home now for the holiday season.'Her sister had married a Thai ambassador, when she was teaching English in Thailand for years. Their son Aidan was born in Thailand and enjoyed a multi-cultural upbringing. Although they were Buddhists, they participated enthusiastically in his aunt's Druidic celebrations.
'Well, we'll make it a jolly evening, so we shall! Just a
intimate supper here, then we're meeting the Druids later for Solstice Caroling.Aidan always enjoyed that.'
'He does. The bonfire in the Grove's backyard, and presents after are a favorite of his as well as stopping for cocoa on our caroling route when we come to the Hearthstone!He was so pleased the year he was chosen to bear the Returning Sun Shield at the head of the procession!'
'...so that makes six, but we're ready for whomever else may happen by. One never knows! I've been busy baking all day...triple-treat gingerbread, Russian tea cakes, Swedish cardamom braid...'
'Alice, you are the best! Don't worry, I'll be busy with my cranberry-orange relish and Roquefort spread, stuffed mushrooms, and savory pasties...'Em seemed to be menu-planning as she spoke.'I may suggest the men bring a bottle of wine or cider.'
'Excellent! And Mrs. Smith is bringing potatoes au gratin, as well as pumpkin pie! And your sister contributes something delicious always! With the main dish and fresh baked yeasted rosemary rolls, I think we shall be feeding well enough!'Alice decided.'How was work today, then?'
'Oh, Al, I haven't told you! I decided to apply for the opening of Circulation Supervisor!' Em declared proudly.
'Truly, Em! Well, you would be an excellent choice for the job.
It will be more responsibility...I fear I won't be seeing you here at home as much. But I wish you bon chance!' Alice laid her hand lightly on Em's shoulder.
'Yes, lately I have been wishing for more of a say in things at work. And I don't mind putting in the hours. I want to be more involved, Al, in the library and in my community. There's alot of work to be done.' Emmeline looked over her application, and the letter she'd penned to the paper. 'I wrote a letter to the Courier as well. Nothing inflammatory, don't worry! It's rather tame really, simply calling for more tolerance, and a sincere wish for our community to celebrate it's American legacy of diversity.'
'Sounds about right, indeed it does.'Alice agreed.'Yes, do write to our gentlemen friends and...shall we invite them to go wassailing with us after?'
'Of course!' Emmeline picked up her pen and smoothed out the 'special' stationery that she had saved from her last trip to England;thin sheets of crackling A6 letter paper.'I wouldn't want them to miss out!' She turned and spared a wink in Alice's direction.
'Somehow, I don't think those two will be much astonished.Leaving you to it, then.' and Alice trotted downstairs to where a leaping 'wuff'-ing MacGregor awaited his evening walk.
Emmeline had a special nib for her pen that produced a fine calligraphic point. 'Join Us In A Special Solstice-Eve
Celebration' she began...well, perhaps, she thought, just perhaps things weren't altogether rotten on this little whirling planet she decided. One can but try one's best and put forward all the good-will one can muster, and just maybe the universe will respond in kind...
It was rather late when Emmeline at last heard Alice and MacGregor coming up the walk. 'Where have you two been? I was
getting worried!' she asked when they entered the parlor. MacGregor's nose was like an ice-cube when he sniffed her hand.
'Oh, Em! Just listen! I happened to run into Mrs. Smith, Patricia, out walking her wee bulldog at the park. We fell to discussing plans for the Solstice, and well, the upshot is, we have 2 more guests!' Alice stood near the fire, rubbing her hands.
'Sooo...? Don't keep me in suspense Al!'
Alice turned to her and smiled, her hands behind her back and rocked abit on her feet. 'Oh, wouldn't you just like to know, then?' Em made as if to throw a pillow at her. 'Alright! Don't go tossing furniture about!' She came and sat next to Em on the sofa, grabbing the pillow from her.
'Well! Patricia works with a couple of gents who play in community theatre here, and  they have gone on the road as it were, in some traveling productions, musicals mostly...I believe we saw them last summer in Shakespeare in the Park, although I truly can't recall them now.'
'Actors, are they? Well they're certainly welcome to come join us. I'm sure they have some interesting tales of behind the scenes...?'Em enquired, eyebrows raised optimistically.
Alice smiled like a Cheshire Cat.'Not just actors, Em! That's just what they play at on their own time. They both work as chefs at Chez Colbert!'
Emmeline was now all ears. 'Oh, Alice! You don't suppose...'
'Yes!'Alice squeezed the pillow to her chest in glee.'Patricia said they would  be sure to bring something  yummy to our table. Oh, Em! Actors-- singers and dancers even! And they can cook! It's too divine...' Alice sighed and leaned back, contemplating a vision of the two men, dancing into her dining room, each bearing a tray of toothsome and delectable comestibles. singing arias from 'Carmen'.
'That's wonderful Alice! It will be a Solstice to remember, and no mistake! I believe the weather will be clear, but cold. Just right for caroling.'
'My goodness, that's right! Professional singers we'll be bringing!. hopefully they can drown out my own caterwauling.'
Em smiled at her friend. 'It's the spirit of it that counts, dear. Together, we all make a Joyful Noise...remember the year that Keithcliff could come a-wassailing with us? Not a bad voice he has. It will be good to see him again. And Mr. Orez.
Too bad they shall miss our Solstice Eve gathering. Oh, by the way, I have our train tickets, and our names are on the will-call list at the box office at Mendation's Theatre. I can't wait to see something other than the inside of a library for a change!'
Alice eyed Em then. 'Well, you'll have abit less time off you know, should you get that supervisor's position, missy!'
Emmeline sighed.'True. But I think it will be worth it, if we can work to make the library a more viable and beneficial part of the community, then I won't feel so at odds against it! It's worth a try.'
Alice leaned her chin on her hand.'We shall see!' she said.

                        . . . . .
The temperature continued to drop by degrees as the days grew shorter and the Solstice drew near. Emmeline usually loved the outdoors, but even she felt driven by the weather to rush inside and heave a sigh of relief whenever she closed a door  against the inclement forces of nature.
She was thus hurrying home from the trolley-stop when she happened to pass by a couple of ladies she recognized from the Friends of the Library Committee. She wished them a hearty 'Good evening!'as she passed;a greeting which was promptly ignored. Em thought nothing of it, although she remarked to herself that the weather wasn't all that was chilly this evening.
Her front door looked most welcome as she approached then, and as she entered, she was met with quite a warm reception by MacGregor, his tail wagging delightedly.'There's a love!' she said, bending to scratch behind his ears as he stretched and bowed to her with his customary greeting. '"I think I could turn and live with animals,they are so placid and self-contained,'" she quoted, hanging up her coat and hat, and headed into the kitchen, to find Alice busy with tea.
'Ah, Em dear! How goes the battle, then?'
Emmeline sat at the breakfast nook and glanced through the mail lying upon the table.'Oh, Alice, you may as well know...I didn't get the job. Actually it was an appointment. And Director Dickman simply decided to withdraw all applicants and simply take it upon himself to appoint someone.'
'What!?' Alice paused mid-pour as she filled the kettle. 'I can't believe that! He just decided to issue an edict and name someone himself?'
'That's about right, Al! Dictator Dickman does it again!'Em
sighed and threw down the mail. 'Guess who is our new supervisor.'
Alice's face reflected the look of resignation on Em's.'Whoever it is, it won't be good news. Alright, out with it then.'
'Regina Halfwaffle.'
'Oh, Lord and Lady!' Alice cast her eyes heavenward.
'Halfwaffle!'Half-witted' more like! As long as someone has a loud mouth and is a boastful blowhard with an authority fixation, that's all it takes to win Dickman over! Well merry
solstice indeed!' Alice thumped her kettle onto the burner.
                         . . . . . .
The two friends sat down to tea together over some of Alice's excellent tea cakes. Em had collected herself somewhat and again began to shuffle through the mail.Alice poured for them both and handed Em a steaming cup.
'Well, it isn't all bad news. There's a reply to your invitation, from Mr. Van Horn. I suspect it's in the affirmative,' Alice ventured, dabbing  powdered sugar from her lips.
Emmeline isolated the envelope in question and opened it. 'Indeed, Alice! Got it in one!'Em smiled. 'Both he and Aleister will be most pleased, he writes, to join us for a Solstice-Eve Supper, and wassailing after! Well, there's always a bright spot on the horizon, I suppose.'
'And it will be growing brighter soon.'Alice agreed.'Sol Invictus!' she held up her teacup to Em for a toast.
'To the return of the Sun King!' Emmeline replied,' Sol Invictus!'
'Whuff!'agreed MacGregor as he gave a half-leap up on his hind legs, and the ladies laughed, the cares and the chills of the day forgotten for a moment as evening closed softly about their cozy retreat.
                         . . . . .
Emmeline was back at work the next day, hurrying through her tasks as she had taken the last hour of the work day off to head home and begin her preparations, for tonight was Solstice
Eve at last!
Back at the book drop, Em and one of the other library assistants, Arnold, were busy checking in the piles of books. Arnold was a good kid, but you had to keep one eye on him, or both, for--
'Heads Up!' Arnold yelled, tossing a pulp her way.It landed
on the counter next to her head, but only just.
 'Arnold, really! You nearly hit your mark: me! If you muss my chignon, I'll have your ears in a twist!'Em wasn't in the mood for hijinks just now.
'Read your letter to the editor in the Courier, Em. I thought you Indian maids were great hunters and stalkers,then.'
Arnold's entire face grinned at her.
'Oh, Arnold, will you leave it? I'd no idea people would fixate on differences so! I meant for it to be more of a plea for us all to focus on what we have in common, despite our diversity!'
Arnold hefted a rather larger pulp and leaned back as if for the wind-up. 'Oh, no you don't!' Emmeline threw a handy dust cloth at him, which he neatly ducked and caught. 'Miss me, Em? --Didn't know you cared!'
'Ohh, you little...'Em took the pulp he'd thrown at her and tossed it back at him. 'Throwing the book at me now, eh?'Arnold was in his element with cliche'd one-liners, alas.
'Ah-hemmmm!' Just then they both turned around to find Director Dickman standing in the doorway.'Miss Page! Mister Schadenfreund! Is this a library or a batting cage? I believe you both have work to do!'
'Yes, Mr. Dickman.' they both answered in tandem. That was just what Em needed! Bloody Arnold! That kid was more trouble than he was worth...she couldn't see his backside soon enough, she decided.
                            . . . .
Finally the work day ended, as interminable as it had seemed, and Emmeline arrived at home, fairly in one piece. 'I'm home!
Alice, are you about?' MacGregor answered for Alice with an affirmative 'whuff!' as he trotted forth for his greeting from his 'auntie' Em.
'Where's your mum, then?' Em asked him as she scooped him up and ruffled his fur. She found Alice in the kitchen making last-minute preparations to the dinner.
'All goes well, Al?' Emmeline asked, setting MacGregor down and washing up.
'Well and good, so it is! Oh, Em, this will be quite a night, I'm thinking!' Alice looked rather fresh, though flushed, from all her hard work. 'What time do you expect your sister then?'
'Actually, in about an hour, I believe. I'm so glad I was able to get abit of time shaved off the workday! I'll just run up and change, then set the table, shall I?' Alice nodded, humming to herself. It was a song from 'Carmen.'
Emmeline changed into a red dress,trimmed in small jet beads, in keeping with the seasonal colors as well as heralding the sun's ardent return. Although her hair was a rather bright red, it looked well with her scarlet gown and didn't clash abit, she decided.
She headed downstairs, while MacGregor watched her, smoothing the lace tablecloth as she set the centerpiece in the middle. Poinsettia, pomegranates and lady apples featured brightly and were laced through with aromatic cedar, fir and pine boughs with sprigs of holly. Silver candlesticks with tall crimson tapers were set on either side. Red napkins on the white tablecloth made a fine contrast, she decided, and had just finished setting the silverware, when a knock sounded at the door and MacGregor whuffed! an arrival.
'Amelia! Aran!-- and this can't be Aidan!' Emmeline welcomed her sister and her husband inside, followed by, Em was surprised to see, a rather tallish and handsome young man who could only be her nephew--but wasn't he just a young boy? Oh, dear! It had been far too long, she realized! 'Aidan, I hope your remember your Aunt Em! You are so tall and fine, I rather didn't recognize you!'
Aidan took her hand in his. 'Of course I remember you, Aunt! How have you been?' Oh my, and so polite too. Well, as an ambassador's son, so he would be, she thought. But it made him seem far too grown-up already! Where did the years go?
'Here they are at last!'Alice entered from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her apron. 'Do come in, dears, and warm up! So glad you could come!'
There were hugs and handclasps (and wags and pets)all around, then the company drifted toward the fire in the parlor. 'Ummm, what's that marvellous smell?'Amelia breathed in the many contrasting aromas of freshly brewed coffee, ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg.' Oh, Alice, Em, here's something for your table!'
Alice took Amelia back to the kitchen.'Oh! Lovely! Curry!'Alice called over her shoulder to Em.'I so love a good curry, it's just not the holidays without it! Thank you!'
'Aran made it.'Amelia said with a fond smile at her handsome husband. They were a fine looking family,if I do say so myself, Em admitted. Her younger sister Amelia, a fine illustrator, favored her mother though and had her hazel eyes and thick dark tresses. 'I hope it isn't too hot!'
'Never too hot,'ventured Aran, accepting the cold glass of beer Em had offered. Em knew from past toothsome experience that he was a fine cook, indeed, as was Amelia.'I don't think it will be too pungent for western tongues.'
'Oh, we'll have an interesting company tonight! Just you wait!'Just then there came another knock at the door.'Ah, speaking of which--!'and Emmeline headed off MacGregor who was wuffing his way down the hall, to open the door to Jack and Aleister who stood offering a large felt bag tied with ribbon, and a dual 'Happy Solstice!'
'Aleister, Jack, how good to see you! Oh, thanks very much!'
Em accepted the gift, and a buss on the cheek from Aleister, as well as a whispered, 'Sol Invictus!' from Jack and a kiss rather near the side of her mouth.
Blushing, Emmeline peeked inside the sack.'Oh, marvellous! Champagne! And wine and ciders as well! Oh, Alice, we're set, thanks to these gentlemen! Do come in and meet my family...'
Introductions were made all round and soon everyone was settled in the parlor with a beverage of choice. Em couldn't stop looking at her nephew, this much taller lad with whom she tried to reconcile the baby boy of her memories...he seemed so grown-up nearly! Still, although he had a puckish, ready smile, he seemed to be a rather serious lad. She recalled that even as a baby, he would eschew his colorful toys and head straight for an open tool chest with wrenches and drills, as if ready to set straight to work!
His earnest gaze now seemed to settle on Jack, Em noticed, curious as to why.'Tell me Aidan, what are you studying in school? Any favorite subjects?'she enquired as she handed her nephew a cup of hot cocoa.
'Thank you, Aunt. I enjoy all my subjects, but I'm really rather keen on history, and science of course!' He took a cautious sip. 'I've been reading alot of H.G,Wells and Jules Verne, you know. In books such as Mr. Wells's 'Time Machine',
there's a brilliant blend of history and science, you see.'
Aidan finished bending his head over his drink, but Em noticed his eyes were giving Jack a sidelong glance.
'Indeed?'Emmeline now saw another view of her enigmatic nephew.
She enjoyed abit of speculative fiction herself, and was glad that his practical turn of mind also had a more fanciful side.
'I just finished Mr. Verne's 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea! I actually found myself rather in sympathety with Captain Nemo, in spite of the fact that he was hardly an upstanding citizen of any known civilization. A most curious character, indeed.'
'Yes, Aunt,'continued Aidan,'I've yet to read that particular book, but it is on my list!'He bent to scratch MacGregor's head, to the dog's great pleasure.
'Oh, I must take Mac out for a bit!'Alice began to head for her coat.
'I'll take Mac out, if you like, Mrs. Stein!'offered Aidan. Alice allowed as how that would be most agreeable. 'Don't keep him out too long now! Dinner will be soonish!' Aidan agreed,
suited up for the outdoors,and snapping on Mac's leash they ran off into the misty night.
                         . . . . .
Outside was a peaceful contrast to the bright hub-bub of his aunt's house thought Aidan as he and MacGregor walked in and out of the pools of light made by streetlamps. There were a few people out, here and there, but the chill weather kept most of Pankhurst well indoors. They circled the block together, then Aidan decided to come around to the back door, as the ground was a bit muddy and he thought perhaps they shouldn't tread dirt in through the front.
As they approached the corner of the house, MacGregor suddenly set up a low growl.'What is it Mac?' The little dog stopped and made a low muffled 'whuff!'Aidan trusted in Mac's instincts and bending low to the ground,  crept silently against the wall of the house. As he reached the corner, he put a warning hand on Mac's head, and peered cautiously about.
His gaze met with an oddity, for there seemed to be a sortof greenish cloud hovering over the back yard. Mac growled again. 'Hush, Mac.'he whispered. What was that thing? he thought. The cloud traveled along the ground and then came to rest in a corner of the yard where it then began to change colors from green to a soft pinkish hue.
Just then, there was a swelling of the noise inside and someone was banging out the opening bars of a song on the piano. The
strange cloud then darkened and appeared to grow misty, eventually disappearing entirely. Aidan stood and approached the corner where it had settled. He bent down but couldn't see anything in the dark. MacGregor though was busy sniffing the ground and growling still.'C'mon, boy, let's go inside.' He
took up Mac's leash and wiping both his feet and the dogs, headed in the kitchen door.
'Ah, Aidan!'Alice greeted him.'You're just in time for dinner! Wash up now, and join us!'
'Mrs. Stein!'Aidan turned to wash his hands at the sink,'Mac and I saw something odd in your backyard! He's been growling at it, but I couldn't see what it did, it just disappeared!'
'What's that dear?'Alice knew better than to dismiss children's observations, as they didn't seem to miss much, she'd noticed.
'What did it look like, then?'
'Well, it looked like a cloud! Really, Mrs. Stein, you must believe me! Mac saw it too. He seemed to smell it more, though, and he didn't like what he smelled!'Aidan dried off on a towel, turning to her earnestly.'It was a cloud that moved. I know it sounds odd...'
Alice sighed. Lord and Lady, not tonight! she thought. She put a hand on Aidan's shoulder, just as Em entered the kitchen.'I believe you dear.' She looked at Em. 'Our 'cloud' is back, Em.Perhaps we could pop out and take a quick look!'
Emmeline cast a glance back at the guests enjoying a song around the piano. 'A quick inspection would be prudent,' she agreed, taking the lantern from wall.
They approached the far corner area that Aidan pointed out as the resting place of the ambulatory cloud phantom. Em held the lamp over the ground upon which they now could discern an outline of a circle, this time there were 3 triangles inside it, one inside the other. 'So, our mystery sigil-maker is back,'observed Alice.
'Yes,'sighed Em.'Now is not a good time to call attention to this, Al. Let's keep it between ourselves, for now. Jack and Aleister needn't know, at least. I would like to discuss it with the family later however, Aidan. Can you keep it a secret, just until the other guests have left for the evening? Then we'll tell you more of what we know of the phenomenon. I'd like to hear what my sister and your father would make of it.'
'Of course, Aunt. You may trust me implicitly!'Aidan assured them.
'Quite the Solstice, eh, Em?' Alice said, as they headed back into where the party awaited.
Aidan noted the presence of some new arrivals since he'd been out with MacGregor. Seated on the piano bench were two gentlemen, who swayed in unison as they sang 'Solstice Bells,'
a song to which all joined in lustily. Behind them with a hand on each of their shoulders stood a tall grey-haired woman who added a fine contralto to the company's performance. Aidan joined in as well, with Alice and his aunt adding a graceful harmony. As the song ended softly and with a tinkling flourish of the keys, Alice announced: 'Time for dinner, then!'
All gathered around the dining room table as Emmeline, Alice and Aleister took a hand in setting a vast array of various steaming, aromatic dishes around, to the 'Oh's!' and 'Yum's!' of the hungry guests. When all had been set, they joined hands and asked the blessing of the Lord and Lady of the Wood, and gave thanks to Great Mother Gaia for this bountiful repast. Jack brought the champagne forth from the ice in which it chilled, and popping the cork, (which made Mac about half mad chasing)poured for all, (with apple cider for Aidan), they raised their glasses and toasted the Winter Solstice with a hearty 'Sol Invictus!'
As everyone fell to with gusto, Emmeline made tardy introductions of the new arrivals:'Aidan, I would like you meet Mrs. Patricia Smith, Mr.Stephen McClellan and Mr. Ian Fry--my favorite nephew Aidan!'
Aidan smiled,'Your only nephew, Aunt! Pleased to meet you all, sirs, madame!'
'Oh, just call me Patti, do,'said Mrs. Smith,tucking in to the curry with a will.
'And it's Stephen and Ian, with us, so it'tis. Pleased to meet you as well, young sir!'
'I very much enjoyed your song,'Aidan added. Emmeline noted that his plate somehow consisted mostly of desserts, already.
A boy still. The thought reassured her. Well, it is a special occasion...
'Ah,thank you Aidan.'Stephen said,'We try our hand at musical theatre whenever we are offered a part that suits our fancy.'
Em was curious about this aspect of her guests avocation.'Indeed! Have you played in San Francisco at all?'
'Oh, yes, many's the time!' Ian warmed to the subject,'The Curran, the Castro,'he glanced at Stephen,'...even Mendation's!'
'No! Never Mendation's!' Emmeline grinned, looking at Alice.
'Oh, I know you fine ladies of the library wouldn't be knowing about that...'Ian smiled.
At this, Alice and Patti began to giggle. 'What now?' said Ian dryly,'You're having us on about something, 'tis plain!'
Alice 'fessed up:'Actually...just betwixt us and the gatepost, Em and I have tickets for Jackie Changeling and the Internationales, at Mendation's--tomorrow night!'
Jack shot Aleister a pained look. No one else took notice, however, they were all laughing so heartily.
'Ah, Jackie,now! There's a show and no mistake!'Stephen and Ian
winked in concert, and began to croon:'"I...want a girl, just like the girl, that Daddy Nev-er Had...!"'they finished, laughing. 'You'll have quite a time at Jackie's show, ladies!
He never disappoints! Indeed, there's quite much more to ah, him, than meets the eye!' Ian put a finger aside his nose, 'Say no more!'
Jack spoke up then. 'I'd no idea you ladies were off to the City for the Solstice! Aleister and I had rather hoped you might have been persuaded to come for a country drive with us. But, that rather pales to a night out in the big city!'
Em glanced at Alice.'Oh, we appreciate your thinking of us, Jack! But, yes, we've been looking forward to this for some time. We're also meeting friends of ours for luncheon before the show. Aidan, you remember Captain Keithcliff?'
'Oh, yes, Aunt!' Aidan looked at Jack. 'He's a real sea-captain, sir! With a steamer with sails, and everything! We all got to come on his boat once, in the City! It's a grand ship!' Aidan made clear his admiration for the Captain, Jack noticed.
'Lads do enjoy the romance of the sea, you know,'his father added.'Will Mr. Orez be in attendance as well?' The whole family had met them both in San Francisco last summer.
'Indeed,'Alice said, trying some of the chef's wonderful pate'.
'They will both be in port only briefly though. But time enough for a bite at Neptune's Palace.'
'That's a grand place so it 'tis,'said Ian.'Seafood you can trust, and done to a turn! How do you like the pate' then?'
'Melts in the mouth, dear sirs!'Alice closed her eyes in bliss.
'But you must try some of Aran's curry!' and so the dinner party continued with the guests well satisfied, excepting Jack and Aleister who were rather quiet then suddenly, and preoccupied with the business of eating. No one noticed however, except perhaps for Emmeline's young nephew, who decided he had better keep an eye on this Mr. Van Horn, whom he wasn't too sure of as yet. He knew and approved of Captain Keithcliff, but Jack was a cypher still;an unknown...like that odd drifting cloud in the backyard. His aunt's house, and his aunt, held a few secrets as well. He decided he needed to be on his toes, despite the genial company. He noticed MacGregor was
also on the alert, sitting at the parlor's entrance, looking through the kitchen at the back door attentively. A night to keep your eyes open, he told himself.
                        . . . . .
'Aidan's asleep,'Emmeline said to her sister, later that evening after they had returned from the wassail. 'He's had quite a full evening of it!'
'Indeed. It has been a full and lovely evening.'Amelia said. As she gathered their things together, Em couldn't quite bring herself to broach the subject of the night's strange recurring phenomenon. It was  so out of place with the holiday celebrations...perhaps it was best to wait until later to mention the subject.
She saw her family off to the Pankhurst Inn, with promises of
meeting again soon, making sure they had plenty of solstice leftovers to tide them over on their trip back home. Ian, Stephen and Patti had all departed after caroling with hearty holiday spirit, heading off then to the Towne Tavern to meet with some other late-night merry-makers from the local theatre.
Jack and Aleister also caroled with gusto, recovering abit of holiday cheer in the good company of the Druids, but left directly afterwards also, Jack seeming rather subdued, she thought, for some unknown reason.
She felt abit guilty about keeping secret from them the second glyph on the lawn that Aidan had pointed out to them, but she figured it could surely wait until later. She didn't want anything to interfere with their Solstice plans.  Really, they had waited so long for a bit of a break from work, and the cold ,dark days of winter. Nothing was going to stand in the way of their little holiday excursion, she decided, as she stood in the doorway, waving her family off into the misty Solstice night.
But, it was only Solstice Eve, and the Solstice was still yet to come...