Strange Solace

‘Welcome to the library. How can I help you?’

‘Oh, you’re here for the job interview. No, that’s not for here, it’s for the Library of Whispers, just up those stairs.’

‘Yes, it is an unusual name for a library.’

‘Were they not clear about that in the advertisement? I did tell them they have to be more specific. They don’t want anyone running down the stairs screaming again. It’s just not the done thing in a library.’

‘That’s because it’s a library of spirits.’

‘I suppose you could call them ghosts, yes, but they don’t really like it.’

‘No need to be afraid! They are honestly the kindest spirits, mostly shy scholarly types. No no, they wouldn’t hurt a fly. Not that they could. The other candidate was just a bit shocked I think.’

‘Have I ever been up there? Oh yes, most days. That’s why they’re advertising. I can’t run this library and theirs.’

‘Look, don’t leave, let me tell you about it, then you’ll know what to expect.’

‘So, you go up that staircase, the spiral one with the gold bannisters. It seems like you’ll be climbing the stairs forever but once you’ve got through the mist, the whispering will start to get louder. They say it’s connected to another realm but when have you ever heard of another realm inside a library? Anyway, once you’re through the mist, you’ll start to see the shelves. Don’t be alarmed, lots of the books float in mid-air, that can be a nightmare for keeping things in order, let me tell you.’ 

‘Indeed, some of the books will just not stay in their classifications. Now, others will insist on turning their own pages. Are you a fast reader? I thought you would be, that’s good.’

‘And you’re not afraid of visions, are you? There’s a good few of the books that like to project themselves directly into mind, well into your eyes really. There’s a rather favourite of mine which is about a giant made of moss who lives in a lost garden, but I digress.’

‘Yes, yes, you had better go on up. Oh, don’t worry about being late, just tell them I got you talking. They won’t be surprised at that.’

’You’re most welcome my dear. Now have a lovely time and best of luck.’

Copyright: image used for creative, non-commercial purposes. Commercial postcard of the Long Room, Trinity College Library, Dublin. Photograph by Liam Blake. Published by Real Ireland Design.