"That's me finished for the day." Cythia the shift supervisor said as she walked out the librarian's office. "Remember you have to show that researcher the manuscript, and then lock up."
"Of course Cythia. Enjoy your evening." Alice said with a smile, as she sat at the library help desk. She was just a library assistant and really shouldn't be left alone to finish up for the evening, but quiet as it was Alice wasn't going to complain, besides, she enjoyed being alone in the library.
Alice yawned and stretched, her heavy bosom straining against her fitted shirt and vest as she did. Those things really were so annoying. But no matter, this was the best time of day, at the best time of year. The height of summer, so no students to crowd and mess the place up. Even the academics were mostly on holiday, fortifying themselves for another teaching year. A few regulars came in, Alice thought just to sit and enjoy the atmosphere, but as the day wound down they had all gone. The only minor annoyance was the chatter of tourists in the quad outside, but considering they were coming to see one of the most renowned libraries of one of the most renowned colleges of England, Alice couldn't really complain. And besides - for now at least, it was her library.
Alice smiled and slouched back in the chair, looking up at the ceiling. The red evening sun turned the oak wooden bookshelves lining the walls golden, and Alice was in heaven. Then a shadow fell over her. Frowning, Alice turned back towards the entrance to the library. A gawky young man stood before her.
"Excuse me miss, is the librarian here? I've arranged to see a manuscript."
Alice frowned at that, clearly this young man was assuming a librarian was an old man in a sweater vest or an even older women with her hair in a bun. How dare he assume that she wasn't a librarian, just because she was young! Never mind of course that technically she was just a library assistant, and in fact not a librarian - it's not like any non librarians knew the difference!
"Yes, I've been waiting for you, I will take you through to the old manuscript room." Alice said, emphasising the I. She stood up and straightened her thigh length dark skirt, she didn't want to undermine her authority now by walking around with an accidental wedgie! Alice walked towards the old manuscript room, the young man falling in behind her, but not before his downcast eyes pored over her chest. Men! All the same. He was awkward looking, wearing clothes that seemed too big for him, but not bad looking underneath it. If only these college boys would wear something that fitted them they'd all look so much better, but she guessed fashion was too much effort when your head was in the clouds.
"So, you wanted to see the illustrated Ars Amata? Interesting, the art of love, one of our more talked about treasures!" Alice made conversation as she went, it looked like he was pretty socially awkward and she may as well try and get some conversation out of him. "I understand that the manuscript was pretty scandalous! Must have been a pretty perverted monk that drew that one. What's your name by the way?"
"Um, I...David. Yes. Um...I've been working with the digitised version, but there are some fine details that didn't quite come through, so I have to check them against the manuscript."
She opened the door to the old manuscript room, thick heavy shelves lining the room and a blind on the window to stop too much damaging light against the ancient tomes. This room was darker and more imposing than the rest of the library. Alice knew some found it uncomfortable, but here she was at home, surrounded by knowledge, cosy and snug. She led the young man to the bookcase where she knew that manuscript was, and pulled it off the shelf laying it out on the desk ledge below the bookshelf. She saw David was looking confused at the shelves.
"Why do these books have chains on them?" He asked
"Oh yes, well back in the old days books were so rare and expensive that they were chained to the shelves to stop anyone from stealing them. We've just...kept the tradition." Alice said. She supposed it was a bit odd in this day and age.
Alice laid out the book and opened it up randomly, the page falling open to a woodcut scene of what must be some sort of orgy. David turned away and coughed, and Alice could see that his cheeks were bright red. Alice smiled, and tried not to laugh at his discomfort. Finally, David turned back and looked over the page.
"Wow, the ink is so much more vibrant in real life, and look, you can see pencil strokes beneath that..."
Alice smiled. "Yes, digital is good, but you can't beat the real thing. The look, the smell, the touch..."
"Um, can you turn the page?"
"Oh, you can do that." Alice said, and moved up behind David and picked up his hand and placed in it on the book. "Don't worry, as long as your hands are clean it's much better than to..." Alice trailed off as she realised what she had done. For a moment both Alice and David stood silently, her hand on top of his, her body pressed against his.
"Um..." David said, not moving. "This is so soft. What is it?"
