The young librarian didn't need his glasses. He clearly wore them for visual effect, the way they balanced on his sharp cheekbones. Jimmy Kent knew because this was the third time he'd run into the man at the LSE library. (Tuesdays 2:00 - 4:30, without fail.) Every time Jimmy approached him to check out his books, Thomas Barrow, from his employee's badge, had his glasses perched on his forehead while he read or looked at his phone alone, but settled them over his eyes before helping any library patrons.
Jimmy placed his stack of heavy books on the countertop.
Thomas the librarian immediately reached to the bottom of the pile and pulled out the largest book.
"Erotica and erotic photography are on the top floor," Thomas Barrow said, scanning the bar code. "Gay erotica is in a different section entirely, sadly." He smiled, one corner of his pink lips lifting.
"I'm not interested in erotica, Mr. Barrow," Jimmy said.
"I mention it because this is the third book of Robert Mapplethorpe's nudes you've checked out. They've been on special display on the main floor, so I thought you might like some help finding more books like them."
" 's for a photography class," Jimmy said.
Thomas Barrow held Jimmy's ID up to the light.
"Photography classes at LSE?"
"Yeah," Jimmy said. "Like I said. I'm in a bit of a hurry, so if you could just get on with it."
Thomas shut his mouth, and scanned the rest of Jimmy's books. They beeped pleasantly at the touch of red light on their backs.
It wasn't exactly a lie. The Mapplethorpe books weren't for school, but they also weren't just for wanking off to - though they made good material. Really, he loved the photographs - and he'd love to see more of them, though he wasn't going to tell that to Thomas the librarian.
Jimmy's parents had been so thrilled when he'd gotten into LSE's MPhil in Accounting that he hadn't the heart to tell them he didn't want to go. The acceptance had been thrilling to receive. Jimmy had worked so little during his undergrad that it was a miracle. The courses weren't unpleasant, really, just dull. If it made his parents happy, it would do.
But that didn't stop Jimmy from watching in longing every day as his fellow students went to classes in philosophy, european studies and foreign policy, and it didn't stop him checking out beautiful books from the library… but he was lazy Jimmy Kent, and doing what he wanted would be hard work, he knew… when he finally figured out what it was.
"Enjoy," said Thomas the librarian, pushing Jimmy's books across the counter.
"Did ya always want to be a librarian?" Jimmy asked the librarian.
"Did I…" Thomas the librarian trailed off. "I don't know. I can't really remember what I wanted to be when I grew up. Well, really," Thomas settled his arms on the counter between them. "First I wanted to be a knight, then Spiderman, an then astronaut, but none of that worked out, so…" He ran a hand through his hair.
"Where… did you say the erotic photography is?" Jimmy asked him. "Ya know, for the project for my photography class?"
"Gay erotica is at the back of the library, top floor on the right. Heterosexual stuff, same but on the left. Photography is one floor down. We're in London, and I think it's silly to hide the books away like that. They should be on the main floor, and at all times." Thomas the librarian pursed his lips. "Lemme draw you a map." He drew out a small piece of paper, scribbled quickly on it, and tucked it into the thickest book in the stack.
"Thanks," Jimmy said. He balanced the heavy stack of books in his arms, and pulled out the piece of paper on his way out the double doors.
There was no map on the paper, only the name "Thomas" in tall, neat writing, followed by 10 digits.