Dorian Gray Part One

The log spat and split in the stone fire place and a tiny cinder bounced onto the floor of the tavern. Dorian Gray leaned over from his seat at the wooden table and flicked the offending ash back into the fireplace with his silver tipped walking cane. Dorian sat with his left hand arched over his left eyebrow and read the Daily Telegraphs short article on ’Samuel Pepys Diary’ A slightly drunken pot bellied man staggered over to Dorian,

“My good fellow may I join your fair table near the gracious fire?”

If Dorian was anything he was at least gracious, he folded the Daily Telegraph with absolute precision and laid the paper neatly by his right hand, the rotund man continued,

“I’m Alistair St-John Smithe, and you are?”

“Oh I’m Dorian Gray nice to meet you”

The slurry man continued,

“Just Dorian Gray? A man dressed as smartly as you would surly be a Lord?”

“No sir its just plain Dorian Gray, that’s the way I like it”

“If I may be so bold you look very familiar and dashing. Have we met before?”

Showing restraint as the gentleman he pretended to be Dorian Gray replied,

“No sir I would remember meeting you I have a long memory trust me”

Alistair continued,

“Did you hear about the commotion on the heath! There was a duel to the death! Over a lady’s honour, so noble. I hear the government is trying to ban Duelling! Preposterous! Do you have views good sir?”

Dorian smiled then replied,

“I agree with duelling as a matter of fact its so final and it saves all that arguing”

Alistair looked Dorian up and down and said,

“Between you and me, I can see you’re very meticulous over your appearance save one little thing sir, you have a small hole in your waistcoat and you have spilt a tiny piece of red ink around the hole. I wouldn’t normally mention this. However I did observe how you folded your news magazine paper so neatly, one can only assume you would want to know?”