The gentleman takes his hat off, puts it aside and starts pacing around the cart while scratching his head. After almost a whole minute of deep thinking he finally retakes his place beside Alan, and looking straight to his eyes he says.
-You’re not joking with me, right boy? There is no place known in this continent with that name… i’d be the first to know about it since i’m the head chief of the research and development department of New London... and sitting next to the queen, i have access to almost every single bit of information around this place.
Alan was a bit intimidated by the gentleman reaction, he starts to get nervous and awkward, but even considering his adventurous soul, he was no liar, and being accused of lying gets him mad. Besides, there was no logic way or at least a believable way to explain how he got there. Without many options to choose from, he decided to be honest with the gentleman about how he got there.
-Hey! I can be many things, but i’m not a liar sir -Replied Alan with a troubled look- I’m from Basil, a small town away from almost all civilization, i arrived here after a small mischief on a traveling merchants cart where i touched a book… i know how crazy it sounds believe me, but it’s the whole truth.
The gentleman sighs and after being at a loss about how to proceed about the crazy story he just heard. he takes a locket from under his clothes, opens it and stays staring at it for while. He finally snaps out of it and sighs again.
-Ok, let’s imagine for one minute that you’re not lying and i believe you… that means that for you all of this is inside a book? It doesn’t make any sense at all… however, i’ve seen my good share of weird things in my lifetime… enough for it to not sound totally nuts.
He stands up and walks towards the workshop to take a hidden picture from under it, then he approaches Alan and gives it to him. Finally the gentleman makes a bow and presents himself.
-Very well, since you obviously don’t know where you are, you definitely don’t know who i am… Harrison Van Rensselaer or Dr. Harry for my friends…scientist, royal counselor, explorer and retired adventurer.
Alan finally stops eating from the bottle of peanuts, sees Dr. Harry`s introduction and watches the photo, in there was a group of what seems like four friends and among them he notices really quick Dr. Harry in his younger self. After the look at the picture, he realized it was his turn to formally present himself, he stands up and roughly tries to imitate the bow.
-Alan Strauss, Alan for my friends and actually to basically everyone… farmer, adventurer and a pain in the butt for almost everyone in my hometown hahaha.
