Book Hunt

Bookcrossing is a fascinating website, with an intriguing premise. It co-ordinates the travel of books around the world;readers release a book into the 'wild' or the open public. When another person finds the book, they are obligated to read it and then release it. Books have made far fetched journeys- from all corners of the world, with the label of Bookcrossing sitting resolutely upon its front page.

Today, an idle browsing of the website revealed the location of a book less then a mile from me.I jumped out of my bed (where I sit and browse the internet), eyes alight with excitement. I suppose, that, above all is a testament to my lack of life- I was joyous about hunting a book. So, I pulled on my gumboots, put on my raincoat and matching hat (both emblazoned with Winnie-the-pooh and smiled brightly as I marched out the door into the drizzling rain.....

In reality, walking was an entirely unfavorable prospect, so I bellowed from my room to my brother (who drives, I don't, long story), " I need to go somewhere!". I used the most intimidating tone I could muster. He came, skeptical and utterly unruffled my display of sheer authority.

"Where?" he asked.

I told him. Then, after he continued staring at me, I told him why.

He laughed for a good few minutes- while I glowered, and wondered what was so wrong with hunting a book. Surprisingly, he aquiesced and I found myself with some wonderment, sitting in our flaming orange Element, driving the small distance to the location of the book.

I was exhilirated as I drove there, window open, and barely restraining a pent up desire to tell my twin to go faster- as he was still a good 10 or 15 kilometres per hour under the speed limit. I knew he wouldn't agree to that, he likes playing it safe. Hands in the three and nine o'clock position, eyes staring straight forward and flitting once and again to the rearview mirror. His posture is uncannily straight.

As we drove along, safely cruising, I eyed other cars. One in particular, a blue one, seemed to be heading the same direction as us. My breath caught in my throat.

"There's another one," I said urgently. Before twin could say anything, I explained hurridly that the car behind us was probably headed to the same location. My hands flew to the handle of the door- they wouldn't beat me to this one. As soon as Twin parked, I threw open the door (to the surprise of the elderly gentleman parked next to us) and ran frantically to the side of the building where the book was purported to be. It was a typical alleyway, brick walls, papers blowing emptily, and the faint sound of wind whistling above through the narrow walkway. There was nothing. No book. Nothing.

I wandered around, randomly, inspecting any surface that may be hiding my book. Twin had headed inside the building- which was a Mac's- to get some food. I followed, disheartened, looking quickly, once again before opening the door. Inside, I came upon the idea of asking the cashier if she had seen a book.

Smiling artifically, I approached her.

"Have you seen a book, that I lost , around here?" I asked in as sweet a tone as I could muster.

"What was it called?" the cashier, who was asian and fairly old, asked.

" The Art of War," I said without hesitation, then remembered that two books were supposed to be in the same location.
"And Permit For Murder," I added, quickly.

I could've sworn her eyes shifted at that, moving quickly from side to side. My eyes narrowed, and clenched the edge of the counter.

"No," she said finally, "I haven't seen anything"

I gave her another look, akin to the one I'd used on Twin to get my ride here.
She stared at me blankly. I left the store, fuming.

That's how my book hunt ended, mere moments ago, and even as I type this I can't stop from commiserating over the cashier who undoubtedly stole my book.