Part VII
Formosus finds out what the surprise was.
Notes Written in 2000, this story was inspired by characters and situations
created by a certain author who discourages fan fiction.
To contact Wiebke (and especially if you would like to link
to this site or any of the stories), email wiebke@juno.com.
"Here we are."
Formosus was startled. Having been completely absorbed in the obscenely foreign, modern city out the car window and with only a vague idea of the city's geography, he had no idea how long the trip would take. Now that the car had come to a stop, he found himself feeling sorry the ride was over so soon.
The driver exited and came around to open the passenger door.
"Thank you," Formosus said. "You have no idea how much I appreciate this." He went into his pocket and drew out the $200 he had taken from his wallet during the course of the trip. Marius had given the violin player $100, after all, and given that money seemed an ever-renewable resource for vampires, it seemed only the man's due. After all, he had taught him how to use a seatbelt.
The driver looked at the money without much surprise. Perhaps he was used to dealing with the overgenerous, highly unusual patrons of uptown hotels. In any case, he received the money with thanks, returned to the car, and was gone in a matter of moments.
Formosus took his bearings. He saw from the street signs that he stood on the corner of Waverly Street and Fifth Avenue. In his readings he had heard of Fifth Avenue as a famous street, a marvelous grand boulevard. Turning towards the park, he saw the arch immediately. What an appropriate place for a meeting, he thought - an arch that looked like it was meant for an ancient forum.
Suddenly he realized he didn't know what time it was. Might as well go to the arch now and see if anyone was waiting for him already. If no one was there, he could ask a passerby; in this day and age, people carried the time with them on tiny machines.
Formosus crossed the street and entered the park via one of its many criss-cross paths. He looked up at the arch. Yes, it was a familiar form, as familiar as the surrounding skyscrapers and passing police sirens were unfamiliar. And there was something else familiar. A presence.
He looked down and there to his right, sitting on a park bench with utter elegance and meeting his eyes with polite expectance, sat Louis.