Arthur made his way up the stairs and through one of the three sets of marvelous double doors. Compared to the library back in La Grange this one was colossal. He immediately fell in love with the design, and looked forward to reading every single book, article, magazine or better yet utilizing any type of media this place had to offer whether he was hired or not. Imagine all the mutants that must come through here! Imagine the various abilities- Arthur was suddenly broken from his blissful thinking by a sensation he had felt only once in his life. A sinister pulling in his chest. It happened once when he was attacked by the first mutant he had ever met. When he saw her use her ability which was one that allowed her to become more feline in appearance a strange pulling feeling happened in his heart, and Arthur felt compelled to find out how she worked inside and out. They battled for a short while, and Arthur eventually won. Now standing in the Library with the same feeling brought many questions, but Arthur was given no time to ponder this mysterious part of his mutation because someone was tapping him on the shoulder right now.

"Need help with anything? I'm Neal, the Assistant Librarian. I saw you looking into space, and thought I'd help you come back to Earth." he said. He was attractive, and looked like someone out of a model magazine so Arthur figured he was a student paying the bills by working here.

"Actually yes you may. I read that you're hiring here for various positions, and I am very interested. I just recently moved from Texas where I was Head Librarian there for almost ten years." Arthur had brought his resume just in case, and judging from the look of disbelief on Neal's face he knew he made the right decision.

"Well I can't hire you, but my boss can and she is actually in today so I'll take you to her. You look pretty young to have been an HL for over ten years no less. Was it a children's library?" Neal asked. Arthur could sense the hostility "No. It was the the largest one we had in town, but it was a small town so in terms of actual size it was rather small compared to here." When Arthur said this Neal seemed to relax. Arthur guessed that Neal was worried about losing his position. Neal led Arthur into a very nice office where a woman was sitting at cluttered desk, smoking a pipe, and reading a copy of National Geographic. Neal motioned to the chair in front of the woman's desk, and then he stood by the door. Arthur sat on the chair, and introduced himself. "Hello ma'am. My name is Arthur Redgrave, and I am interested in applying for any positions you have available here in the library. I was the HL in La Grange's Public Library for over ten years, and achieved many awards while there. I'm sure if you were to call they would no doubt recommend me." To this the woman put her magazine down, and puffed on her pipe while looking deeply at Arthur.

After a minute or two of her simply staring at Arthur she motioned for Neal to leave. "Are you sure? I could stay and make coffee or get you another-" but before Neal could finish she motioned yet again. Neal was obviously reluctant to leave, but he did as he was told slamming the door behind him. Arthur was looking at the woman and realized that while she was a little over forty years of age she was as beautiful as any twenty something running around. She had full dark wavy hair, smooth olive colored skin, shockingly bright green eyes, and truly seductive lips. Arthur himself would never pursue her for his obsession with mutation ran too deep and took hold of every aspect of his life, but he certainly acknowledged her effect on him which was also no doubt the motivator behind Neal's Alpha Male behavior.

She was the first to break the silence. "What is it you...want...here Mr. Redgrave?" her accent was thick and Arthur guessed she was from somewhere in South America. Arthur smiled and handed her his resume. "To be honest all I would like is to work somewhere I would enjoy. Same as any man I suppose, and I would definitely enjoy working here." The woman looked over the resume and took a puff from her pipe. "Ten years? That is impressive. I will check on this right now, and if the La Grange Library confirms your identification then you are as good as hired in my book. I will make you my new Assistant." A loud thud came from outside the office door which was suddenly opened, and in stepped Neal. "You can't be serious Vania! He's just some random person off of the street. We don't even know if he's legit. I'm the only help you need around here. Have I done anything substandard? No! I haven't!" Neal was visibly upset, but Vania simply smiled. "No Neal you have never done anything substandard. In the five long years you have worked here you have never done anything substandard, but what have you done that has gone beyond standard? Above and beyond what I have asked of you? Not once." she took a puff from her pipe "Not once."

Neal looked like he wanted to say something, but just shook his head and left slamming the door behind him. Arthur sat quietly looking at Vania. She noticed and said "Don't worry about him. He's been here for far too long anyways. He never had any interest in my work, or the books. I knew what was on his mind, and all of his laughable romantic advances were more of a hindrance than anything else. Something tells me that you will appreciate it here. I don't have to worry about you trying any unprofessional funny business do I?" she asked Arthur in a serious tone, but with a playful smile. Arthur smiled back "Not all Mrs. Vania. That I can promise you." she frowned and shrugged "Oh well. You start tomorrow at five in the morning, and from now on just call me Vania." She stood and stuck out her hand to which Arthur rose and shook it. "Thank you Vania. I look forward to working here and learning more about the position." and with that said Arthur turned around and went to go explore his new workplace.

After a few hours of walking around and getting to know every inch of his new workplace Arthur felt it was time to go out and explore the city a bit. He would have to stop off at his room, and pick up his video camera just in case he ran across anything...interesting. Arthur stopped by Vania's office to let her know he would see her tomorrow, and she said she was looking forward to it. Something about her was a bit strange Arthur thought, but of the many things he understood women were one of the very least. He exited the library, and began his short walk home.

(CONTINUED IN "NYC Residential: The Colonial House Inn")

Arthur arrived at the library a little too late it seemed as the lights were off, and the doors were shut. He turned around and began to walk down the street looking for a hidden area to rest when suddenly he heard a car horn sound. He looked around and saw a small red sports car parked on the side of the road in front of the library. "Need a lift handsome?" Vania asked from inside of the vehicle. Arthur walked over the passengers side, and peered in. "Not that I don't appreciate it, but you barely know me and you want to give me a ride?" Vania smiled at him "I barely knew you when I offered you the job didn't I? Don't worry about me, and besides I don't think you could take me in a fight." she said laughingly.

Arthur smiled and got into the car immediately noting the music she was listening to as they drove away. "You like Philip Glass?" he asked. "You know Philip Glass?" she responded. Arthur smiled, and shook his head yes. "Well we will just add that to the list as another thing I like about you Arthur." Vania was driving, but she would look at Arthur every so often. After a few minutes she realized she hadn't asked him where he was going. "So where am I taking you? Girlfriend's house? Boyfriend's?" she laughed as she said this, but there was a seriousness to her question. "No. No one like that. Actually you can take me to any hotel. Closer to the library the better." Vania pulled over to the side of the street, and stopped the car. "Hotel? Look Arthur. I actually have a spare room you could use if you like? I'll charge you for it, but I'm sure you could afford it." There was something in Vania's voice that made Arthur feel at ease. "That's awfully kind of you Vania. Why are you being so kind to me? Once again I do not mean to sound rude, but it's just a bit strange given we just met." Vania looked at him "I don't know. I like you I guess, but something about you...it's...I don't know. Just yes or no?" she asked nervously. Arthur said yes to which Vania smiled and began to drive again. "It's going to great having an employee I know will always be on time." Vania said as they both laughed, but Arthur's laugh was shallow. He had his hand on the eyeball in his pocket, and his mind was replaying the scene of Mr. Smith using his ability over, and over, and over again. "Beautiful." he said. "Excuse me?" Vania whispered. Arthur realized he said it aloud "I'm sorry. I'm just tired." Vania smiled and began to blush.


(CONTINUED IN "NYC: Residential - Ivory Tower Apartments")