Short story 7. A pint of honey beer

Tomas Clinderstone was a forty-five year-old mediocre employee in the small Estonian firm that produced wool clothes. He seemed to be too diligent person, because Tomas did not drink alcohol, did not smoke and did not eat fast food. He always came in time, looked clean and neat and woke up at 7 a.m. Tomas usually went to bed exactly at 10 p.m. And what’s more, all his life Tomas persistently believed that he had got a hidden talent, so he was waiting for the day, when a sudden idea would cross his mind and make him the most famous person in the whole world. Maybe it is useful to add that he was not married and even did not have any girlfriend, because all his time Tomas spent working and, in spare time, searching for his mysterious talent.

So, once the Great Day came, although its beginning was rather ordinary. Tomas had already finished his monthly report about the sales and was standing irresolutely near the door to his chief’s office. Suddenly, the loud voice of his boss, Mr. Arrogate, was heard.

“Come in, Tomas” he said “I’m waiting for you”.

Tomas slowly opened the door and carefully entered the room, trying not to look in his chief’s eyes.

“Well, Mr. Clinderstone” Mr. Arrogate was in high spirits and talked very friendly “May I have a look at your report?”

“Yes, of course, Mr. Arrogate” Tomas said “I have prepared it with great care especially for you”.

“That is a big deal” answered the chief with a slight sneer, looking through the report “And as I can see from the list, you have shown a rare faculty to combine the words…”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Arrogate, but I do not understand you,” Tomas pronounced with fear in his voice “Maybe there are some mistakes…I may correct them right now…”

“Do not worry, Mr. Clinderstone” Mr. Arrogate said laughing “Everything is alright, but I am giving you the day off…You have got one serious business for today – you should come home, change your clothes and at 9 p.m. you will go to the restaurant “P.”. You will order something to eat there and a pint of honey beer. You should be in “P.” till midnight, after that you will go to bed and come here tomorrow at noon. Is it clear?”

“Are you joking, Mr. Arrogate?” Tomas was really shocked “It is not so funny…I like my job and try to do my best every day. Why are you…”

“Please, keep the silence, Mr. Clinderstone. It is not a joke – this is the unusual kind of very important affair just for you during one evening. Please, be attentive and do everything in the same order as I have told you. Now you are free. And do not forget – tomorrow at noon!”

“All these indications seem to be very strange, Mr. Arrogate, but I…”

“Good bye, Mr. Clinderstone. I have got an important meeting right now. Wish you unforgettable evening”.

“Thank you. Good bye, Mr. Arrogate”.

Mr. Arrogate’s task seemed to be very strange for Tomas, but he was a responsible employee, who usually carried out all the authorities’ messages. So, he came home, read the latest newspaper, washed the floor, had an ordinary dinner and after that took out his best suit for the evening event. The restaurant was not far from Mr. Clinderstone’s flat, just at the main street of the city, and Tomas had a pleasant walk before he reached the right point of destination. There were only a few visitors in “P.” at this time and our hero easily found a nice table with a shining candle on its polished surface. Mr. Clinderstone clearly followed Mr. Arrogate’s indications about the supper – he ordered a pint of honey beer and grill-carbonate. First of all Tomas tasted a pair of unforgettable buns with garlic butter, drinking it down with saturated and a little bit sweet beer. Then he was brought the large medieval portion of pork, accompanied with spicy potatoes, fresh salad, baked pumpkin and mushroom sauce. The food was delicious, but nothing extraordinary happened around – the Germans were still laughing at the next table and several tired workers were cheerlessly drinking vodka. Tomas began to worry, because he had to prepare the report about this evening.

He almost decided to break the director’s instructions, when suddenly the front door opened and a dozen of colorfully dressed people came in. They were playing different medieval musical instruments, dancing traditional dances and singing some folk themes. One of the young girls with flame roses in her hair took the Tomas’ hand and towards the joyful crowd. Mr. Clinderstone tried to leave the restaurant immediately, because he was always against noisy and useless pastime, but this decision came too late – the dancing people surrounded him with their ring and carried away after them to the calm night street. Everything was fantastic – the shining Moon closer than usual, lonely streets lit with warm light, romantic medieval buildings and the sense of universal magic…

Next morning just after Mr. Clinderstone’s return home, he didn’t go to bed – deeply impressed by the unusual night trip, he started writing a story about his adventures. In two hours the text was ready and in the firm believe of his talent and phenomenal topic of this article, Tomas sent it to the editorial office of “The Daily Life” magazine. With great relief and happy smile Mr. Clinderstone came straight to Mr. Arrogate’s study, bringing him the copy of the article.

“Good morning, Mr. Arrogate!” Tomas said joyfully, widely opening the door without any previous confusion “I’ve prepared a special report, as you asked”.

“Well, Mr. Clinderstone, I’m glad to see you here tomorrow” answered the chief brusquely “May I have a look at your work?”

“Of course, Mr. Arrogate” Tomas offered him the text and continued the enthusiastic speech “I’m so grateful for this task! Thank you very much, Mr. Arrogate! You can’t imagine all the things that I have faced this night. Let me tell you the story…”

“I’m not interested in it. Everything is clear from your report. I’ve had some doubt, but now the particular decision is on the tip of my tongue. Please, put your signature here”.

“What is it?” Tomas was surprised at the sheet of paper lying in front of him “Do you like my work or there is something incorrect? I have strongly changed since the previous day! Please, explain me, what you mean, Mr. Arrogate”.

“Okay, Mr. Clinderstone, I’ll answer your numerous questions. First of all – this is the order of your dismissal…”

“Dismissal?” Tomas exclaimed “But I did everything that you had entrusted me!”

“Maybe, but you are late for work and drunk now. And yesterday you left your working place without any good reason…”

“Mr. Arrogate, please forgive me! Yesterday I decided that it was your will to give me this strange task!”

“It does not matter” the chief cut short “No one normal person would believe such an absurd request. So, when you hear the same words, as the day before, you should understand that it is a kind of exam and it is better to be ready to increase or dismissal. Now, please sign the papers”.

While Mr. Clinderstone was returning back home being a little bit dispirited, he took out his printed composition and began reading the accidental fragment. “…Unexpectedly, I saw the large horse-drawn vehicle, which accommodated me and all my new acquaintances. Then we lifted up into the sky, and moved towards the temple of St. Birgitta, imposingly rising above the ground. After the medieval games and tournaments, we went for a walk along the embankment towards the Holy Hill, where invented creatures like vampires and witches were talking about modern philosophy…”

“Such a nonsense!” Tomas concluded and threw the sheets of paper out, trying to force the recent incidents out of his mind.

Next morning a sudden call woke Mr. Clinderstone, who was sleeping after the hard day.

“Hallo!” the cheerful voice sounded from the phone “Are you Tomas Clinderstone?”

“Hallo” Tomas answered hoarsely “Yes, it’s me”.

“That’s great! My name is Moris Ingelmann, the “Daily Life” editor-in-chief, and I would like to offer you a worthy job. We found your unusual article very exciting and promising, so it would be printed in our following issue. Are you interesting in the pressman’s job?”

“Of course, Mr. Ingelmann. I am very punctual and industrious worker”.

“Well, would you be able to write the articles about real events, which take place in our city? I ask you, because usually we do not publish fantastic stories”.

“I think that won’t be a problem” Tomas answered with hope “I would try to do my best, I promise”.

“Then, I congratulate you with the new position in the editorial staff of our magazine. You are expected to visit my office tomorrow”.

“Thank you so much, Mr. Ingelmann! Good Bye!”

At this very moment Mr. Clinderstone finally understood, what kind of talent had not given him the rest during the last few years.