NEW LEAF

PART 7: ROSIE'S HOSPITALITY

I found myself transcending into multiple dreams, a constant energy coursing through me and pushing me forward. My discoveries were all but normal. Every town I had visited after Sundale had very stark similarities between what I've already seen. Re-Tails, police stations, cafes, campsites—reappearances were everywhere I looked. There was something else too: the town halls were also the same, as were the nameplates, "Isabelle" scrawled on them.

There seemed to be no end to the craziness. All these towns had different villagers. I actually just recently discovered that the mayors of the village also had houses. Usually the mayors themselves would be walking about outside their houses, but they were utterly dull, not engaging in any conversations I attempted to have with them. All they did was speak a single phrase and not much else. They resembled robots. I almost felt like my brain was withering at that point. I had to take a rest.

And so I take a rest. I bid Luna farewell and I notice she seems a bit troubled by the fun adventures I had. I will definitely be returning, but for now I have to get my mind off of the crazy stuff I just witnessed. I decide to start this task by bringing up the structures that I hoped would be available to me to Isabelle.

I couldn't look at her the same. That cheerful, yellow puppy face never fading from view is no longer as radiant as it once was. All I get now is a chilling sense of dread, but I didn't want to feel this way about her. I just couldn't help it. I feel there is something underneath.

ISABELLE: Hello, Mayor Mark! Can I assist you with anything today?

She says this as I recline on my comfy mayor's chair, gazing blankly at the surface of my desk, which is just as blank. I snap my head up, remembering what I was going to say. I propose the public works projects that I referenced from the dream villages I've visited. Isabelle is more than happy to help me get the requests lined out, to my great relief. The projects are going to cost money.

I waste no time and head out with Isabelle, pointing out the perfect spots to put the projects. Not wanting to dig myself too deep in the inevitable debt I'm piling on myself, I decide to start on three projects for now: the café, the campsite, and the police station. Once the spots are chosen, Isabelle informs me that only one project can be built at a time. Great. I won't even be able to have it completely finished until the payment is done with either. It will take a bit to have all these finished in a timely manner, although I suppose I'm not really on a deadline here.

The day lazily shuffles on through as I sit in my office, looking through the files and papers in the drawers. Suddenly I remember the letter in my pocket—yes, THAT letter, the one sent by the would-be mayor of this place. I look at the code on the back again. My mind sets itself back on track. Luna told me that this was a "friend code" I can use to travel to another town. Am I really ready to start doing that?

The door of the town hall jingles as it suddenly swings open. The cerulean cat, Rosie, steps in, prancing up to Isabelle's desk. Isabelle warmly greets her.

ISABELLE: Hello! How can I help you?

Rosie's eyes roll from Isabelle, then over her shoulder, then to me. She giggles.

ROSIE: Oh, I don't need much! I was just wondering if Mr. Mayor is busy at the moment.

I throw the letter into the drawer and sit up.

ME: No, no, I'm not doing anything. What do you need?

She giggles again and hops around nervously.

ROSIE: I, uh, was just wondering if you wanted to come out for a bit. I want to talk to you about something…privately.

I look at Isabelle, who looks back at me, raising her lower lip and brow with mutual acceptance.

ME: I don't mind that. I'll be right out.

The cat beams.

ROSIE: Great! I'll see you!

She heads out and I mean to follow. As I pass Isabelle's desk, I take another look at her. She gives me a glance, a nod, and then a meek little smile.

Rosie is just on the side of the building, leaning against the wall. Her large grin slowly sinks to a concerned frown. She walks up to me and holds my hands.

ROSIE: Mayor Mark, are you doing okay?

ME: What do you mean?

ROSIE: You know what I mean!

She gives a little scoff.

ROSIE: Every time I've seen you, you always look so…how you say it…you always look so FRENZIED!

The last word catches me off guard, not necessarily by what it meant, but how loud she says it. I admit, I probably do look like a tad crazed at the moment, but it's for good reason. I try to change the subject, but then Rosie makes a request.

ROSIE: You have to come to my place sometime! Any time after an hour is perfect!

Wait, today? I wasn't really planning on visiting anyone, except for maybe Luna again. Or maybe I really should take a bit of a longer break before jumping into that madness again. I don't know how much more I can take in such a short period of time. Forget it. I give in and plan to meet her in exactly an hour.

ROSIE: You will? That's great! I'll see you then!

I can tell I made her pretty happy by the way she prances off.

I do wind up meeting her just a minute before the time we planned. Rosie happily invites me in and makes me comfortable. She is clearly in the know when it comes to neighborly hospitality. As relaxed as I might have felt at the dream suite, Rosie might be putting it on the run for its money. We talk about things, nice things that is, and it really helps to take my mind off the stress raking at it.

All good things come to an end, however, and I have to bid Rosie farewell. I am tired and greatly look forward to sleep tonight. She stops me before I head out.

ROSIE: O-oh! Mayor Mark! What do you think of my place? You aren't going to leave without telling me, are you?

She has her hands behind her back, looking blatantly bashful about it. I give her an assuring grin.

ME: I love it!

ROSIE: Really? Wow, well I'm flattered!

Truthfully it is a very nice-looking interior, complete with an interesting pink wallpaper, a rug that really ties the room together, and intriguing furniture, some that are decorated with polka-dots. Undoubtedly it helped me relax as I spent time with the cat.

Rosie gives a hearty goodbye and I leave, breathing in the fresh evening air as I stepped outside. I start to head over to my house until I bump into Chester, who I am surprised to see considering I don't even see him often.

CHESTER: Hey there, Mayor! Sorry about that. I've been thinking…well, hard about something.

He evidently wants me to know about whatever is occupying his head. I bite.

CHESTER: Wolfgang's noticed something odd about the dream suite. Well, you know how it's open pretty much 24/7 right?

He leans in a little close and I do the same.

CHESTER: It's closed.

I lean back, puzzled. The dream suite closed? Chester chuckles at the flabbergasted expression I have on.

CHESTER: Don't believe me? Go on over and see for yourself! I think Wolfgang's still out there. Personally, I don't really see how he's so interested in it. Luna's gotta take a break too, you know!

That comment reminds me a lot of Isabelle and her tireless work. I have to remember to give her a vacation. I thank Chester and head to Main Street. I don't plan to take very long since my eyelids are struggling to remain open.

True to his word, the lights of the elegant building are off and Wolfgang is standing just outside on the dirt road, staring at the building with intensity. I walk up to him and cross-examine the dream suite myself. It truly is a bit of a spectacle, especially since it stands out so well at this time of day.

Wolfgang doesn't even turn his eyeballs as he speaks to me.

WOLFGANG: Doesn't this give you a weird feeling?

I don't know what to say. I suppose it does? I almost have to stand next to Chester on this one. Luna could just be taking a short break.

WOLFGANG: Yeah, I know what you're thinking. Well, I don't think that's what's going on.

ME: What do you think it is then?

WOLFGANG: Heck if I know. I could be wrong. The thing is, ever since this day started, I've felt weird. Like, really weird. It's something in the air.

I think back to an earlier time and realize that I've been through a good deal today. Despite that, I don't know if Wolfgang is just really paranoid, or if my activity in the dream suite influenced something—but that just seems like crazy talk.