Overlapping voices occupied the empty library that evening. Asking. Complaining. Arguing. The second reading corner were now filled with books of varying sizes, colors, designs, weights, genres, and conditions. They placed a lamp on each of the two tables as supplementary for the moonlight. They gathered from the floor up to the tables and chairs. Many stayed in their shelves, while some chose the ladders instead. The eight assigned lookouts were at their posts by the windows and doors. They are to drop a broken calculator or stapler when a person is sighted nearby. The unnerving Webster's dictionary, who was standing on the lid cover of the furnace, cleared his throat and stared at the Constitution in the second table. The book replied by taking out the gavel in his cover and striking it.
In an instant and for a moment, there was silence.
"Excuse me, passing through." The 'Where Cats Came From' book said, making her way to the end of the first table, to pass a slip of paper to the biggest dictionary in the library. "That's all of it, Mr. Titus. I took the liberty of adding this afternoon's on the list." She said with a smile. Titus took it and motioned her to get off the table.
That's the book from before, Momo said to himself. He was stunned by the commotion that happened in the library, minutes after a coachman came by to collect the milk bottle, that he lost track with his new friends, who seemed to have bolted to the tables. He found himself on the floor, lost, and surrounded by strangers.
"That's Tina." The huge clean book, entitled 'Easy 500 Home Cooked Meals', said in a rich voice.
"You're Momo, right? The music sheet? Sorry, can't help but listen to you back there. I'm Cookie." The thick book added.
"Yes, I am. Um, Cookie, what do you know about Tina?"
"I've only been here for four years. From what I heard, she escaped from the restricted section many years ago and she's been hiding from Mr. Basil ever since."
"What's with that section? I've been hearing it since this morning."
"Oh, that's where the oldest donated books are kept. The door wasn't locked before, you know. Even when Mrs. Basil's died 29 years ago. Until that one time, when Sam went inside. She found Tina and took her out. Mr. Basil saw her. They said that was the first time they saw Mr. Basil that furious. The room was locked since then. I guess it wasn't that bad after all, since they said that's how she and Charlie met."
"Who's Charlie?"
"Mr. Basil's son."
"Oh. But why would Tina be hiding from Mr. Basil? Do you know why he got mad at Sam?"
"I don't know either. Every day she tries to hide herself and every meeting she tries to be useful so the others will accept her. For her to prefer this kind of life than going back in there, the other room must be terrible. I feel bad for her."
Titus sighed as he stared at the first five items, with corresponding incidences on its side, which never fail to happen for the past decades.
Stolen, 2
Unreturned, 4
Spilled with liquid, 7
Dropped with food crumbs, 9
Saliva contamination, 2
Inked, 13
Titus formed three teams and assigned five books for each as he began the discussion. He told the first team that they have two weeks to trace and retrieve the stolen books. They are to coordinate with, Len, the visitor's logbook, and to use the borrower's ID. As decided from the past years, only unreturned books for more than a month after the agreed return date will be considered as stolen. For the unreturned books, they are to take the borrower's ID from the front desk drawer and place them in the desk for Mr. Basil to notice.
The second and third concerns caused a long debate as it only happens to books which are borrowed and taken outside. One suggested to put a fine notice at the front desk for the borrowers, but they have eliminated it since it would also surprise Mr. Basil. They finally agreed that all books with soiled pages will be placed on the shelves which the regulars frequent to, with the hope that they would notice them and would take action on their stead. The second team will do the rearrangement of books.
Titus ended up allowing everyone to wake the person up once it has slept for more than 20 minutes. They are to imitate the ringing sound of Mr. Basil's clock in the lowest volume possible and must not speak any word. And, if isolated, they can close the person's mouth.
The ink problem also raised a debate since some books actually enjoyed being inked. This has been the case since then and Titus, who was not in the mood to be innovative, gave the usual resolution.
'If you don't want to be inked, give a paper cut. Make sure it stings.'
The next concerns were more pressing as they involved: books with low read count, Mr. Basil's state, and the decreasing number of visitors. They decided to have the books with low read count be placed on the middle rows of each shelves. While those with great records will stay at the bottom or top until the next meeting. The third team will coordinate with second team for this. They also assigned five books to discover Luigi's book preference, hoping that if Luigi would frequent the library this summer it might improve Mr. Basil's state.
All throughout the discussion, Momo have apologized four times for hitting or stepping on to someone. Cookie tried to ease him up by saying that the meetings doesn't always look as awful as how it looked that night.
"How should it supposed to look like then?"
"Every night of the 18th newspaper of the month, we gather around here for a meeting. To discuss and resolve problems encountered with or by the readers because as you saw earlier Mr. Basil don't care much about us anymore". Each shelf has two representatives, we call them reps, for the left and right side. That's 20 for 10 shelves. They are supposed to be the only occupants of the two tables, while Titus will be standing on that lid. The rest would stay on the shelves or ladders. Not like this. Imagine if Mr. Basil comes in now and see all of us here."
"Anyway, the reps are expected to have asked their fellows' concerns, and summarize them prior to the meeting, to save time. We can only stay here for so long, right? It would be a big problem if people found out about us."
"What if you guys have divided opinions?"
"That usually happens. We take a vote on it."
Momo raised his question with his eyebrow and Cookie was willing to elaborate, "If you agree, you don't need to do anything. Otherwise, you have to move backwards. So your spine will not be visible when the reps do their count. Remember, when you decide, stick it with your spine."
"So, why does the meeting not resemble the one you've been describing to me?"
"You're about to find out."
Commotion worsened as soon as the two novels, which were on the front desk earlier, walked towards Titus using the first table. Their sizes are on the 400+ page range and they finished their entrance with bicker and glares.
"The record here says two copies of 'Monday Evenings at Murhill Street' were donated by a man named Elias Horvac last May 25, 1891." The pocketbook with a title 'English-German Dictionary' announced from the second table, while reading the library's donation record. Wherever did he get it, no one knows. He was escorted by a much smaller pocketbook who left afterwards.
"As confirmed with the reps, no book has read them yet apart from 'Still Wire', from the first section, fourth shelf, fifth row." The book paused, and his company came back with the identified book. And then continued, "He claims to have only read until chapter 8."
The 'Still Wire' book opened his mouth, but Titus nodded and motioned him to leave the table. He has no plan on asking further so the pocketbook continued, "Be it known, that the identified books, in the interest of time, have been questioned earlier while the other matters were discussed on the table. Both claim to be the original copy. Furthermore, both firmly deny the accusation of content alteration in any way possible."
"Their back covers didn't reveal the ending as well Mr. Titus. We have no way to check." His smaller company with a title 'Daily dose' added.
"Naturally, you senseless fool." Titus replied and the paper-filled audience laughed.
Titus jumped from the furnace to the first table and continued, "I will give you one last chance to speak the truth. Be reminded that content alteration, being a major crime, means a decade in restricted section and a page cut, if resolved beyond 24 hours. If, however, no one pleads guilty within 24 hours, all accused will be thrown in the furnace."
Momo watched and listened in shock as Titus spoke and left the table, as the first lady defended herself in front of everyone and pleaded them to believe in her, and as the second lady did the same.
"Say Cookie, is that actually possible?"
"Content alteration?" she asked and Momo nodded, still staring at the scene on the table.
"Yeah. They say it takes a long time but yeah."
"How exactly?"
"Just curious. It's fine, you don't have to answer." Momo added, when Cookie stared at him.
"You close your eyes and set your mind to the page, paragraph, or word you want to change and it will. There's one limitation, however, you can only use the words which are found inside you. Not the letters, but each word. You can exclude, yes. But, you cannot add. The same for the pages."
"Then, wouldn't that solve the problem? We just have to check which one has no new words."
"Easy there detective. I can already think of 2 problems in your idea. First, we can't deny the chance that the original doesn't contain a new word. We would be prejudiced if we stick to that. Second, there's actually a way to add. If you can find another source to print it on you." Cookie whispered at the end.
"An accomplice?"
"Yeah."
The past hour has proved to be unsuccessful for all of them. Titus, who was now back at the table, has begun to lose his cool. It's been 40 years since the last time they had a content alteration case, and he's never been fond of recalling what happened then. He was brought back to the present when he heard a very familiar voice from below.
"Mr. Titus, shall I add more lamps? The moon's been covered by clouds and it looks like they're planning to stick around." Tina said from the floor. Standing on her toes to increase her height, dwarfed by the crowd's.
Titus stared at her for a moment, and said, "Come here." He received a blank stare in response, so he added, "Here on the table." And Tina raced with her feet while Titus called everyone's attention.
"Tina, for the past 23 years you've made yourself known for your unwanted presence and your astonishing determination of staying here." Tina wanted to reply, but Titus' eyes suggested otherwise. He then continued, "Well then, if granted permission by the majority, I am giving you a chance to secure your place here. And by that, I mean you will receive equal respect, rights, and, of course, responsibilities like a real book from this side of the library."
"I already told you I am from here. I rea—" Tina said with anxious smile.
"We'll help you hide from Mr. Basil for whatever reason you may have and any mockery on you will be punished."
The audience was stunned. Titus walked towards the two identical books and continued, "That is, if you can resolve the content alteration of the Murhill Street within 12 hours. Identify the guilty and revert the contents. If you fail, however, you will return at once to the restricted section and must vow to never trespass again."
"What? But that's not fair! I do belong here!" She argued, her eyes hazy from tears.
"I'm always at Mr. Basil's room that's why you haven't seen me before."
"Is it a yes or no?"
"What?"
"Do you accept the task?"
"Titus. Sir." She pleaded. Titus repeated his question and took a step closer as he said each word. Tina's response was almost inaudible, but it was enough for the crowd to hear. That night, the library heard a cheerful applause and felt silent tears.
"Voting seems to be unnecessary." Titus concluded.
"Vas, bring the book who've read the Murhill Street again." He instructed the pocketbook from before and Vas's assistant, 'Daily Dose', brought him accordingly.
"You refer to yourself as?"
"Warren, Sir."
"How long have you been here Warren?"
"Two decades, Sir."
"Good. So you know you can't decline to what I'm about to say. The Murhill Street. Resolve it. Her conditions won't apply of course." Titus pointed to Tina.
"And you." He was now pointing at Vas's nervous assistant.
"M-M-Me?" the book stuttered while Vas was too startled to react.
"Name?"
"Po-Ponty. Ponty, Mr. Titus."
"Let's hope you'll find your sense after this, Ponty. I think you would want to come here to meet the rest of the team." Titus said and he obeyed. Deafening silence filled them as Ponty climbed down from the second table and up to the first.
"Cookie." Momo whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Why is content alteration a major crime?"
"It has an awful history Momo. Let's talk about it later." Cookie whispered.
"Okay, but which shelf are you from? Getty said the second section is cluttered."
"Oh yes, we are. I'm in the second section, first shelf, thi—."
"At least the fourth member has the manner to introduce herself." Titus stared at the two whispering books on the floor and they looked up.
He stared at Cookie and added, "If you know so much and can't restrain yourself from talking, perhaps you'll make yourself useful in the case." Cookie swallowed her fear and began walking, and then Titus added, "Bring your friend."
Momo followed and saw Carol, Bio, and Ogie along the way. Their worried faces made him more nervous.
Titus stared at the five books in front of him and the Murhill Street books on their side. He jumped to the furnace lid again and said, "Again, you have 12 hours. We'll meet tomorrow for the outcome. As for the three teams assigned earlier, you will proceed with your tasks after tomorrow's meeting. If there are no more concerns, return to your shelves."
Chairs began to get arranged. Footsteps began to disperse. Ladders began to get empty. And shelves slowly got filled. The assigned lookouts were the last to return, as they waited for the seven dumbfounded books to transfer to the front desk with the two lamps.