...“May I sit down?” The man asked, but he didn't wait for an answer before pulling out the chair across the table and having a seat. “I do hate to drink alone.”

Gabriel bit his lip. This man did not look like the kind of personality for a respectable shoemaker to be keeping the company of. But in the city always looked a little rougher he supposed.

“I make you nervous, do I?”

“No, sir.”

“You're a bad liar.” The man waved over the waitress. “What's this you're drinking? Is this on tap here? My god the things they serve on the islands. Madam, if you would be so kind, get my friend and I some proper continental cider.” He picked up Gabriel's cup and handed to her. “And get rid of that garbage.”

“Wait! That's my drink!”

“It was your drink, my good man. And you should thank me that I saved you from finishing it.”

Gabriel looked away “With all due respect, tap's good enough for me, sir.”

“Nonsense.” He reached out and offered Gabriel a hand to shake. “My names Dale Radian. May I ask yours? No. No wait let me guess! Michel.”

Gabriel shook his head.

“Patrick then? No, not a Patrick. Or a John, though more likely a John than a Jack. No nicknames for you. Is it Nathan?” Gabriel shook his head. “Simon?”

“No.”

“Gabriel then?”

This answer got a quizzical look from the younger man. “Yes.” he said, nodding. “Gabriel. But, I don't see why you insisted on guessing.”

“Because, I could.” Dale said, getting up to move to the chair beside Gabriel instead of across of him. “You look like a Gabriel. Oh I know I guessed a thousand other things first but now that I put my finger on it I know it had to have been Gabriel all along, really.”

“I am not sure I understand you meaning.” Gabriel said. “A rose by any other name and all that...”

Dale sat up straighter. “You're literate then! I thought so. I just knew you were my man, Gabe.”

“Gabriel.”

“ Yes, yes. Here's the cider then.” He took the two mugs from the waitress and slid Gabriel one. “Drink up. That's the stuff. None of this swill they serve on the Islands.”

“The other stuff was fine.”

“Drink up. My treat.” Gabriel reached down to pick up the mug, and the man reached his hand down.

“Now, now, wait, lets raise our glasses. That's right. To new friends and literate ones at that!” he clinked his glass against Gabriel's and took a swallow. “Drink up, drink up. Unless you don't like making new literate friends.”

Gabriel eyed the man and took a sip of the liquid.

It did taste nice. Smooth and sweet. Altogether a different class of beverage than the one that Dale had sent away. He imagined it to be quite high in price.

“There, see, didn't I tell you?” Dale reached around and clapped him on the back.

They drank in silence for thirty seconds. Then Dale gave Gabriel another of his lopsided smiles and reached over to pat the younger man's shoulder. “I was wondering, Gabe, if you would be willing to do me a favor.”

“A favor?” Gabriel rubbed his forefinger against his thumb again. He looked down at the drink. “We've only just met.”

“Oh, I know it, but that doesn't stop you from helping a fellow out does it? I walked in and I knew immediately that you had a helpful face.”
“A helpful face?” Gabriel repeated.

“Yes. Just look at yourself.” Dale raised a mug so Gabriel could see his face. “Look at those big brown puppy dog eyes.”

“They aren't puppy dog eyes.”

“Of course not. But they are big and brown, and your face is round and your nose long. And those eyebrows. Helpful eyebrows, bushy yet distinct. Would you trust a man with only one eyebrow that went all the way across his face? Or a man with thin, almost transparent eyebrows like mine?”

“But you are asking me to trust you.” Gabriel said. “And you have eyebrows like that.”

“That's different. I happen to know I can be trusted. You'll have to believe me on that one my boy, if I was right about your face and you are a good helpful sort of man, after a fellow buys you a drink.”

“I didn't ask for the drink!”

“It's a simple favor, really. Anyone can do it, so long as they can read. I'd pay you but frankly it would be an insult to even offer for such a child's errand. Here's what it is...”