Walt didn't waste any time exploring after his finding the other night. He walked in and went directly to the historical archive area. He wanted old pictures, drawings, blue prints, articles, everything. He wanted to see more of this original building, the Botham Classic Library.
His search resulted in a mess on the table. With all the books and papers pulled out one would become anxious about the pick-up process just by looking at it. In fact, one of the librarians felt this way. She came over and reminded him of that policy. Without breaking from his reading, he mumbled something that apparently passed as an agreement. So she left.
All of this caught the attention of an older man sitting nearby. He looked over curiously while leaning back comfortably in his chair, one foot on the other knee. Sweater vest and sleeves rolled up, glasses too. He might as well have been smoking a pipe. But the onlooker wasn't drawn to the commotion of the mess as the librarian was. After some periodic glancing, he approached walter.
Man
Is there something I can help you locate, son?
Walter didn't even look up
Um, no thanks, I'm all set.
Man
I only ask because there's a few other books I could name that would help with what you have here.
This snapped Walters' focus, he looked up.
Walter
Excuse me?
Man
I’m sorry to intrude. I just over heard you asking for certain records earlier. I did some work in this area a while back, there’s some more useful items over there.
He pointed to an area not far from where Walt pulled his current material.
As walter looked toward the stacks he said,
Oh, well… Thank you.
Walter was a bit off center, he didn't expect any other check-ins, as helpful as this was. He glanced down at his pile.
Walter
Uh, I don't do this often… I just..
The man smiled and seemed to laugh quickly
Man
I had a feeling. You look very ready to burn the midnight oil. Happens though. Good luck
Walter
Thanks
Hands in pocket, the man turned to walk back to his own studies.
What research did you say you did? Walter projected, slightly higher volume as though he was concerned the man would get away without hearing.
Man
Just on the old library. Botham Classic.
Walter was very guarded at this moment. He knew there's a chance he was developing a silly little obsession about something. He wasn't in the mood to be embarrassed about it. But if this guy had good enough advice, maybe he could get the info he wanted and be done with it.
Walter
What about?
The man smiled again as though he knew something Walter didn't. He moved closer to the table again.
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Man
Well, it was a marvelous structure. I’m sure you’ve seen pictures?
Walter
Uh yeah I have, it was. I really haven't seen anything like it. And I don’t really… uh.
He paused. This was probably too much. So he froze. But the man still had a genuine look of listening.
Man
Kind of odd why it was taken down too. Such great architecture.
Walter experienced a mental gasp when he heard this. He was shrugging this off before. But it was something he noticed each time he read it.
Walter
Yeah, why was it again? Demolished, right?
Man
Structural integrity concerns. Among other things. Such a shame.
This seemed textbook. He read that countless times. It always seemed uniformative but also halting further questioning.
Man
But the other things are what I was researching.
Walters' eyes widened.
///
He fixed his bar slouch, sat up and went to say something or ask something. Nothing came out though, He just looked like he was waiting to hear more.
Man
I’m sorry I should introduce myself. I’m Phil.
Walter
Walter, nice to meet you
Wlater stood up, swiftly leaned over the table and they shook hands. One of those rare moments you actually enjoy meeting someone more than performing the formality, thought Walter.
Phil
Is this something you’re doing for school?
Walt
No, not at all. Just leisurely reading, and I kind of got carried away after realizing the old building was even more unbelievable than this one.
Phil
I see, yes. I’m surprised more people don't react that way. It’s not widely known these days.
Walt wanted to rattle off all the questions that he had now. Phil had to have known more about it.
Walter
It was… more impressive. Wasn't it? It looked like something from Greece or something.
Phil
It was stunning. And more Gothic than Greco, but yes.
As relieved as Wlater was to have his curiosity reinforced but someone else, Phill was just a guy at the museum. Walter suddenly felt the need to make sure he wasn't some homeless nut who strikes up conversations in a city library. He certainly didn't look like one. And this can certainly be seen as an insulting train of thought, but he had to verify.
Walt
Is this part of what you do for work?
Phil
WelI… I was a professor. At BU. But not for historical records and city archives. I was in Electromagnetics.
Walt mentally checked off a couple superficial check boxes for “professor” and “electromagnetics”. And Botham University is a top school in the area. This helped. The “was” part was fishy. He wasn't that old looking. Maybe 60? Maybe he’s retired, he thought.
Walt
Oh really, how long were you at BU?
Phil
All of 30 years.
Walt
I see. And do you do anything now? Enjoying retirement?
Phil took off his glasses and wiped them using the bottom part of his sweater.
Phil
I do some writing, and some lab work at home. I’m here often. Very fond of this environment.
Well at least he isn't bat shit, Walter thought, relieved. A BU professor for decades interested in the content he was looking into also gave him a little burst of academic pride.
He checked the time. Although the conversation with Phil wasn't a disaster, it did take away from his momentum. He looked over to the stacks Phil initially pointed to when came over. I’m sure whatever sources he was referring to are loaded, Walter thought.
Walt
Mind if I ask what other books you’d recommend then? I’d like to take some home and look into more of this. I like this stuff. Maybe even some of the “other reasons”.
He felt a slight pride in how smooth that came out. Like he had finally calmed down a bit. Surely though, it was Phil’s calmness and newly-learned status that eased Walt.
Phil mobilized from his lean.
Yes yes, there’s 2 I found especially helpful. Most of these contain photographs and drawings. Some with captions. Not a lot of reading. Which is nice sometimes.
Phil moved the books on the shelves. His motions were swift though, as was someone familiar with this section. Not waving around his arm too much, grabbing each book quickly.
Phil
After seeing the classic library and other buildings like it, it's easier to understand some of the theories that have surfaced. The building images are important when those descriptions come up.
He seemed to be explaining an assignment to his class. The professor thing was very clear now. He wasn't sure what he meant about the theories though.
Walt
Theories? About the buildings?
Phil chuckled.
Yes, no need to get into now. You'll see at least some of what I’m talking about.
He balanced a few books in his hands and turned to Walter
Phil
It’s late. You probably have to go. But I think you’ll enjoy these. If you happen to come and return them I hope I bump into you and find out how it went.
He handed them over to Walt. Still smiling slightly. He enjoyed this. It was almost father-like, handing over a gift the giver was just as excited about. Walt was still a bit perplexed. He looked down at the books he was given. Then looked up at Phil.
Walt
Wow, I appreciate the help…
Then naturally said
Professor…
Phil
Oh, it's Loomis, thank you. Phil’s fine though. I’m here most weekdays at this time.
Walt smiled and nodded.
Thanks Phil. Take care.
Phil was already motioning back towards his own table. Walter went to checkout. He glanced at the cover of the top book titled “Botham Public”. In the foreground of the image was a dirt mound with a run down, single-horse, covered buggy that can fit at most 2 people. In the far ground, in a desolate area with no other building around it, was the Classic Library.