Little Black Book

Jessica left her professor’s office filled with dissatisfaction. He hadn’t been much help to her. She came to him looking for answers. Dr. Ziegler was a PhD in ancient culture and civilizations, he might be of use in deciphering the language. No such luck. Ziegler’s only response was “that’s what research is for.” Well, if that was the case, then he probably didn’t know much about the hand-printed hieroglyphs written the book she was holding.

It was small, leather bound and black. No indication of who had owned the object prior. She happened to have found it while perusing the library of her family’s villa. Her father usually had the most knowledge of classical literature but he was on assignment and her mother wouldn’t have been much help either. Ancient script was not her forte.

Jessica’s next best option was the well-read descendant of royalty, prince Thalius. He grew up in modern times, but his classical training was of ancient culture. Some of the symbols in the book looked similar to Antiquitus, the language of his ancestors, so perhaps he would be able to translate.

Jessica hoped she could catch Thalius before happy hour. The young man was managing a popular midtown lounge and took his work pretty seriously. So she didn’t want to interrupt.

Jessica stepped into the industrial-styled lounge and took a look around. It wasn’t too busy just yet, only a few patrons sat at the small tables on either side of the entrance, before the large industrial windows and exposed brick walls. There were a couple of people at the bar as well, but nowhere near crowded yet. The staff didn’t have that heir of hustle either. She sighed with anticipation, waved hello to the familiar faces and headed to the back of the establishment.

“Greetings Jessica! What brings you here at this hour? You usually don’t make it to midtown until after the rush.” Thalius smiled at her and she smiled back. He was the poster child for tall, dark and handsome with a flair of exoticism. His skin was smooth like rich mocha and his hair, dark waves fashioned into several small plaits. The only thing plane about the man was his black T-shirt and dark denim jeans. Even his shoes were stylish. Jessica could imagine the man as an ancient ruler of the desert tribes, adorn in jewels, holding a gem-encrusted staff, seated on a golden thrown just as impressive. She inhaled before addressing him.

“Hello Thalius, you look well.

“I’m well.” He placed his clipboard down and crossed his arms patiently.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt…”

“Nonsense Jess, I’ve told you a thousand times, you’re welcome here.”

“Thanks. I just thought you might be busy, it’s almost five.”

“It doesn’t matter, I always have time for you, you know that.” He stepped away from his inventory, then approached her, taking her hand. “What brings you to my humble establishment?” Thalius asked with enthusiasm.

Jessica stepped back, but he still held her hand. The contrast of their skins were striking, almost like a black and white photograph. She reluctantly pulled away, relishing in his touch. Then she reached into her messenger bag.

“I found this in the villa library.” She handed Thalius the little black book and he accepted it with intrigue. “I haven’t had any luck translating the text. I thought you might since it appears very similar to your language.”

Thalius opened the book and skimmed a few pages. “Very similar to Antiquitus... It is our sister language, Senexus. But I am not fluent. Did you show this book to Dr. Ziegler?”

“Yes. He was useless.” Jessica made a raspberry sound.

“Your favorite professor, useless? What exactly did he tell you?”

“To do my own research and write a report or relinquish the book to him. Boo!”

Thalius laughed this time. “I can’t say I blame him. This is a great find. A book filled with an ancient dialect no one really speaks anymore... Give me a moment, I may have something that will help you.”

Jessica waited while Thalius disappeared into one of the doors in his back office. He returned shortly with something in his hand.

“What’s this?” Jessica asked accepting a folded paper.

“It is a list of books that can help you translate the language. It’s been a while, but I recall having to do this sort of work while studying at the university. Besides, aren’t you in the degree program?”

“Yes, but I didn’t plan on spending my entire weekend studying ancient text.” Jessica sighed when Thalius gave her a thoughtful expression.

“I recall, you were always interested in the obscure. Take this as an opportunity to learn something that many will never know.” There was a gleam in the man’s eyes that made them almost appear to glow.

“Alright fine,” Jessica said while captivated with those gem-like irises. “I’ll find the answers myself. Thank you for this.” She refolded the paper and placed it into her bag.

“You’re welcome Jessica.”

“I’ll let you know what I find out.” Jessica gave the prince a hug and left him to his work.

Jessica spent the next day in the local library. She had thankfully found most of the books prince Thalius had recommended to her. Since she was a quick study and a straight-A student, it wasn’t that difficult for her to pick up the ancient language. Jessica started by creating a chart to match the pictographs. Each image was a combination of letters or words. She decided on a random page to translate, one that had the fewest glyphs.

“This sounds like a recipe for a cocktail…” She finally realized and laughed. Someone shushed her and she lowered her voice. Jessica read each word carefully to herself, realizing that she could easily retrieve all of the basic ingredients to make the ancient concoction.

Thalius happened to have the remaining ingredients that Jessica couldn’t find in the local market. She stood behind the bar like a mixologist, dressed in almost the same fashion, black tank top and designer skinny jeans, creating her cocktail.

“This is silly, it isn’t doing anything…” Jessica said after not only making an entire pitcher full of the ancient beverage but drinking a pint of it. She much preferred coffee anyway, or in the least, a cosmopolitan.

A man in a bespoke suit entered the establishment just before she could remove herself from behind the bar.

The man stood still for a moment, looking defeated with his shoulders hunched and his head down. “I forgot my umbrella and I can’t seem to catch a cab. I am sure none will be available until the weather lets up. Would it be alright if I wait here until you open?” he asked.

Jessica shrugged. “I don’t actually work here, but I guess it’s fine if you sit out the… rain.” She frowned now, realizing that she hadn’t noticed it had been raining the entire time. Was she really that engrossed in her ancient recipe?

“What is it that you are making.” The man asked as he removed his rain-soaked jacket and placed it behind his chair. “It doesn’t look like one of the usual cocktails.”

“Oh this? It’s just something I found accidently. Do you want to try it?” Before the man could make heads or tails of his own reluctance, Jessica poured him a tumbler full. She made her way over to him and placed the glass on the mahogany table.

“But what is it?” He asked, his dower mood lightening as he stared at the amber beverage.

“It’s liquid luck.” She said playfully, then poured herself a shot as well. “Cheers.” Jessica clanked her glass against his. They both tipped their heads back and finished their drinks.

“Oh, that isn’t bad. Not very strong, but not bad.”

Jessica nodded in agreement. “There’s plenty if you want more.”

“Thank you.” The man finally sat and relaxed a little. “So far, today has been the worst day I can remember. So many things went wrong, I honestly thought I might be cursed. But after meeting you and that wonderful cocktail, I’m feeling much better…”

“I’m glad I could be of service.” Jessica’s eyebrows lifted. “Your worst day? That sounds terrible. Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not particularly. I’d rather have another.” He pulled his wallet out of his inner jacket pocket.

“Okay. But again, I don’t work here, so don’t worry about it.” Jessica poured him another shot of the concoction, refusing to accept any money. She knew the drink was harmless, she made it herself.

“Thank you.” The man accepted another drink. “My fiancé and I had a falling out, that was really the worse part of my day today. The rainstorm and losing my umbrella were just the cherry on top of my terrible sundae.”

“I’m so sorry to hear that.” Jessica said sincerely, but she wanted to laugh at his sundae analogy.

“It’s alright. Some things weren’t meant to be. The thing is, I cannot return the ring…”

Jessica sat beside the man and listened patiently. Once the man finished his story, the rain stopped pouring down and the sun shone brightly into the windows.

“Would you look at that, the sun came out just for you.” Jessica said with a bright smile.

“Do you really think so?” The man looked at his glass and Jessica nodded reassuringly. “I think you might be right.”

“You hang in there, things are always bound to get better.” Jessica touched the man’s hand and he returned her smile.

“I will try to keep that in mind. It was a pleasure meeting you miss…?”

“Just Jessica.”

“Jessica...” The man said. He shook her hand, then made his way out of the lounge, never revealing his name.

Jessica opened her hand and looked. The man had left a ring in her palm. It was beautiful, with a large ruby and an intricate white gold floral band surrounded by other colorful gemstones. It must have been worth a fortune.

“Oh my goth!” Jessica said. She rushed outside to catch the man but he was already gone. It was like he had disappeared.

Jessica went to the back of the lounge and knocked on the door. Again prince Thalius was engrossed in inventory or insurance or whatever it was he was doing.

“How’s your experiment going?” He asked looking up from his paperwork.

“Experiment?”

“Yes Jess, the drink you took over my bar to make.” He smiled.

“It was a bust.”

“Then why do you look so… expressive?” He stood from his desk with concern.

“This guy came in from the rain, I gave him a couple of shots of that ancient cocktail, then he left and now I can’t find him!”

“Okay, slow down Jess. I think you may have been dreaming.”

“Say what?”

“It hasn’t rained all day Jessica. Also, I checked in on you a couple of times on my security cam and I didn’t see anyone enter or leave the bar at all this afternoon.”

“That can’t be!”

He tapped the screen in the corner with his pen, his monitor set with several angles of the bar and lounge on display. She watched the space wide-eyed.

“You didn’t see anyone come in?”

“No Jess.”

“Then how did I get this super cool ring?”

Thalius squinted, examining the ruby ring Jessica now wore on her left index finger. “That looks very much like the queen’s ring.”

“Which queen?”

“The Queen of Senexus. I’ve seen it in history books. An explorer proposed to her, not realizing who she was. She loved him, but because she was royalty and he was not, she returned the ring to him. I wouldn’t flash it around the city Jessica, it must be worth at least twenty-thousand dollars. I’m just curious as to how you actually got the ring. Because you passed out after your second drink.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“That ring you are wearing is worth twenty-thousand dollars.”