“And how we doin’ THIS mornin’, ol’ friend?” Gack blasted through the doors announcing his greeting before checking to see if he was even in the right room.

“Aye,” muttered Blom who was indeed in the right room wipin’ off the counters like he usually was when he had nothin’ else to do. Innkeeps have their tasks.

“Them Autumn Storms!” Gack shook his cloak with the rain. “Bringin’ in the worst of it.”

“Just another day then,” grumbled Blom. not looking up and keepin’ his vision fixed on the counter and the rag and the smooth squeakin’ sound that he was makin’ on the polished wood counter.

“Aye indeed,” answered Gack without a trace of awareness.

“Gack ol’ boy, I’m afraid this isn’t a day for you to come bellowin’ on in,” Blom announced suddenly.

“Oh no?” Gack replied. “Oh no indeed now? It’s not a day to tell you what ol’ HEM SLONNIGUM up and dragged me out into the forest last night for no seemin’ good reason?”

“Eh?” Blom stopped his wiping.

“Aye, now it’s a good day for me to come bellowin’ on in, isn’t it?” Gack’s sourness was reflected in the sour apples he was chewin’ through in pure bitterness. Gack was a weird one but that’s what made this town the town that it is when it’s got a town to be a weird one in it’s the town to live in. Gilba Gilba Charter, drafted after King Jigexijicab had been assassinated. More on that never.

“What’s this about Hem now?” Blom said. He pulled off his spectacles and wiped them carefully. His eyes were botherin’ him of late. Thinkin’ maybe he should be wearin’ an eyepatch o’ some sort to give each one a rest in their turn.

“Hem now,” continued Gack, “he’s been thinkin’ mighty fond o’ the Croblakkerkcxyxmerk Island days.”

“Is he now.”

“Aye. Pulled me into the Deeps of the Wildness blabberin’ on and on about some sorta tales you’re reputed to play a part in. Long before you settled in Gilba Gilba I reckon.”

“Is that so now.”

“Aye.”

“Old Island Realm Hem havin’ a bit of a memory is he,” Blom wondered thoughtfully. “Thinkin’ I might be needin’ to pay ol’ Hem a visit, I daresay.”

“Aye, another scene that ends without any followup planned.” Gack shoved an apple in his mouth and swallowed it whole. He turned around and shuffled outta the Ragged Maiden and back into the Autumn Storm.