The House Part 37

Chapter Three in which Marc and Brien meet up
Marc was very worried. So far he had seen twelve police officers who all appeared to be looking for someone and Marc had a good idea who that someone was. He had taken his holster off his belt and stuffed it, and the gun, deep into his jacket pocket. He knew that he should probably just toss it into a snow bank and get rid of the evidence, but he didn't like the idea of being unarmed especially when the Master Computer was not one hundred percent sure if you could survive being killed in the game.
Marc saw a Police Officer turning the corner ahead of him and ducked into an alleyway. He went back into the shadows and pulled one of the two knives on his person out of his belt. He flicked it open and waited. Marc had decided that, if the police officer came this way and he saw Marc, Marc would stab him to death and make it look like a robbery gone bad.
Luckily for both the policeman and Marc the police officer walked right past the alley without stopping. Marc breathed a sigh of relief and flicked the knife shut. He stuck it back in his belt and walked out of the alley. He sighed, creating a cloud of steam, and looked up and down the street.
Most of the buildings on the street were houses and closed shops but, right on the end, was a large wood building that was still lit. Marc sighed again and began to walk towards it. As he got closer he saw that there was a sign hanging on a wooden pole next to the building that read “Rosmerta's Tavern”. Marc stuck his hand into his jacket pocket to reassure himself that the gun was still there. He felt the cold mental handle and took his hand out of the pocket. He sighed for a third time and opened the door.
“Welcome To Reosmerta's Tavern! I am Tal Rosmerta, your friendly neighborhood bartender.” Brien called, “What can I get you?” He looked over at Marc and did a double take. It was the man the police were looking for! He had to contact them without drawing the man's attention. He continued to smile and waited for the man's order.
Marc also had to do a double take, the barman was Brien May but he didn't appear to recognize him.
“Well,” Marc said, matching Brien's jovial tone, “I'm not from around these parts so why don't you pour me a pint of whatever is your most popular drink around here.”
“That would be our ale.” Brien said, handing Marc a tankard, “It is by far our most popular drink.”
“Thank you very much.” Marc said and tried to take a big gulp of the alcohol just like he had seen people do in the movies. He coughed violently and had to spit some of the ale back into his tankard.
“Lord Almighty!” He swore and shook his head, “What are you trying to do, kill me? Lord Brien! I mean, Tal.” Brien was taken aback by the use of his name and looked intently at Marc. Suddenly he gasped and leaned in closer.
“Marc?” He hissed.
“Yeah.” Marc nodded and pushed the tankard away.
“I didn't recognize you.” Brien said looking around, “Look we need to talk..”
“Yes we do.” Marc agreed, “Do you have a back room in this place?”
“Yes.” Brien said, looking around nervously.
“Fantastic.” Marc said, “We can talk there.”
“No we can't” Brien said, snapping his head back to look at Marc.
“Why not?” Marc asked, a little annoyed.
“Because the police just came by and said that they were looking for you.” Brien explained, “And they might come back here and find us. And I don't think either of us want that, thus we have to talk somewhere else.”
“Ok.” Marc said, “Let's go find an alleyway or something.”
“Fine.” Brien said, “Excuse me gents, but I need to step outside for a little bit with a business partner of mine so feel free to get a few drinks on me.” The men in the bar cheered and Marc led Brien out the door.