Title: Out of Space and Time
Author: sheraiah
Rating: T
Genre: Avengers/LOTR crossover
Summary: The Tesseract and the Bifrost aren't the only ways by which to travel between the worlds, and there are more worlds than Thor has spoken of. When one of the pathways goes awry, the Avengers are called in to clean up the resulting mess.
Disclaimer: If I owned any of it besides the plot, I wouldn't be slaving away in retail.
A/N: A lot of my personal fanon, or headcanon if you prefer, for Thranduil and Legolas comes into play in this chapter. It is not to be taken as canon in any way, shape or form, please. There are also references to one of my LOTR story arcs. Tolkien said very little about Thranduil or his origins beyond the fact that he traveled across the Misty Mountains with his father, Oropher, went to Lorien for a time and ended up in a vast forest realm inhabited by Silvan elves (Oropher and Thranduil were Grey or Sindarin elves) and that Oropher ended up as the king eventually. Thranduil inherited the throne after Oropher and 2/3 of the realm's warriors were killed fighting in the Last Alliance of Men and Elves against Sauron, the war which ended in Isildur cutting the One Ring from Sauron's hand. We know what happened after that. We know nothing about Legolas' mother or when he was born. Clues that Tolkien gives seem to indicate that he's somewhere between 400 and 900 years old during the War of the Ring, but there is a lot of debate on that and I'm not going to get into it here. The age that Peter Jackson gives for Legolas is actually the year of the Third Age in which Aragorn was born. The way I see it, more room for fic writers like me to play.
oOo
This city was far more visually appealing by night than it was by day, Legolas decided as he gazed out of the huge bank of windows that made up the wall of the common area's kitchen. 'Night' was a relative term, since he knew that dawn was not far off, but he decided that he liked the twinkling lights below enough that he didn't care about semantics.
He had been unable to return to his rest after bidding Bruce good night and had waited until he could no longer hear anyone moving around before returning to the common area. He had also asked JARVIS to be sure. He was sitting along the back of the couch that was placed against the window wall at the far side of the kitchen's dining area, back resting against the partition and legs stretched out along the couch's back and crossed at the ankle, sipping a mug of something called hot chocolate that JARVIS had programmed one of the kitchen's devices to make for him. He thought perhaps he liked it almost as much as he liked wine. He was on his fourth mug of it with the added bonus of some cheese and things called flatbread to nibble on. Natasha had been right, healing required fuel.
In addition to the need for fuel and the inability to rest, he needed to mull over his 'dream'. Legolas had no illusions in regards to his own abilities: he knew perfectly well what his own strengths and weaknesses were. He was one of the best archers in Arda, he had been called the best but he was not arrogant enough to make the claim himself, and was better than average with his knives. With a sword, he was competent but would never be up to his father's level. He had a definite talent for healing plants, helpful in an elf of the Wood of Green Leaves formerly known as Mirkwood and he could, on occasion, extend that healing talent to fellow elves, Men or dwarves. Only rarely, however, and in times of the greatest need as it drew from his own reserves of strength far beyond what would occur with most healers. He was not, however, suited to rule as his father did and he well knew it. So did Thranduil, for that matter. They had discussed it at length just after Legolas had come of age. Thranduil's strengths lent themselves towards making him an exceptional, in Legolas' opinion and in the opinions of the elves of the realm, king. Thranduil was strong, shrewd, observant and, when the need arose, utterly ruthless when it came to the well-being of the elves in his kingdom. He was also very powerful in terms of his affinity with the woods he dwelt in and in reading the beings around him.
Thranduil and Legolas had developed a tighter bond than most elven fathers and sons due to the fact that Legolas' mother had died while Legolas was still an infant. They were usually able to sense each other's mood and specifics on physical well-being even when leagues apart. Distance did not usually matter when it came to an elven parent or child being able to sense whether the other was living and well, but no elven parent and child had ever had the distance between them that Legolas and Thranduil currently had. Legolas had been terrified at first that he could not sense Thranduil; that had never happened before even when one or both of them were unconscious. He worried constantly that Thranduil would believe him dead and fade from grief before he could return from wherever it was that he had been transported. He tried to put a good face on things, joking with his rescuers and such. They had enough of their own troubles and fears without him inflicting his on them. Besides, it was something he preferred to keep private.
The 'dream' had shaken him, but in a good way. He had felt his father's presence, frantic with worry and then calming considerably as Thranduil realized Legolas was relatively well. His father had managed to sooth him in return, assuring him without words that he was well and would remain so now that he knew Legolas lived. He was not certain how much of his present situation Thranduil knew, but the fact that he was alive was the main thing. Knowing that his Ada would be waiting for him when he returned had lessened his fear and he was now able to focus on searching his memories to help Tony and Bruce discover a way back.
He heard the elevator door and contemplated removing himself to another area before dismissing the thought. He was comfortable where he was and none of the Avengers made him less so any longer.
"Pepper won't let me sit like that," Tony commented, grabbing a mug out of a cabinet and putting it in the device that had made the hot chocolate. Legolas shrugged.
"I would not tell her if you did so now," he replied, indicating the other end of the couch. It was a large enough couch that even with the elf's long legs, there was plenty of room for Tony on the opposite side. The billionaire's eyebrows rose but he grabbed his now full mug and made himself comfortable on the couch back.
"Couldn't sleep?" he asked. Legolas shook his head.
"No, not after..." he shook himself. "I like looking at the lights," he said, gesturing towards the cityscape.
"Yeah, that's one of the best things about this place: really nice view of the city at night." Tony smirked. "The others are: something to do at all hours of the day or night and the food."
"I would not know about the former, but I can agree with the latter," Legolas said equably. He grinned at the look Tony gave him. "If you wish to know something, the easiest way to learn it is to ask me." Tony snorted.
"Where would the fun be in that?" he asked, smirking. Legolas grinned, arching an eyebrow at the billionaire and Tony chuckled. "All right, fine. The information we have on you isn't really that detailed, and I'm thinking it's like most legends: based in fact but embellished by the ones telling the tales. So, what really is fact and what was added by the reporters? You answer to 'Thranduilion' so that's true at least."
"That is true. I am Thranduil's son. If your source is like a great deal of the written history I have come across, unless it was written by someone such as Lord Elrond who is fairly impartial, there will have been a heavy dose of Noldor nonsense included," the elf said, his tone as dry as dust.
"Probably. We have far more information about other members of the Fellowship than we do about you or Gimli."
"I am not surprised that there is little information about Gimli. His kin are secretive and little is known of them by the other races. Gimli himself is an exception. While he will not reveal anything that his kin wish to keep private, he prefers to be direct. My own kindred are among the most insular of elves, which I think is part of the reason that we are regarded as 'more dangerous and less wise' by the Noldor in particular." He smiled. "We do not dance to their tune, and never have."
"I can relate." Tony shifted, getting more comfortable. "So, care to fill in some of the blanks?"
"What do you wish to know?"
"Where do I start? Okay, family life first. Single? Married? Any elflings running around? Who's your mom? Stuff like that."
"I am unwed, so no to the elfling question." Legolas shook his head, amused. "My mother was from Lothlorien. She and Adar met during one of his councils with his cousin, Lord Celeborn, and Lord Elrond in Lorien. She was killed by orcs when I was an infant so I have little memory of her, but I am told that I take after her in my demeanor much more than I take after Adar, until something angers me at least. In appearance, I am far more my father's child."
"So, you were born in Mirkwood, then. Where was your father born?"
"In Doriath, not long before it fell." Legolas' expression was solemn. "He does not speak of it much, but he has told me of his life there and of what he endured during Doriath's fall."
"That does cast a whole new light on his reaction to Thorin and company tramping uninvited through the realm, doesn't it? Personally, I think he was rather restrained in his dealings with them," Tony commented.
"Adar does not hate dwarves in general," Legolas said, quick to defend his father. "He would react in a similar manner to any beings wandering uninvited through the realm and harassing his subjects. As far as dwarves go, Adar has a cordial relationship with the Lonely Mountain, and has had since the Battle of Five Armies. He gets along well with Gimli, too, once he got to know him."
"It wouldn't make sense not to," Tony agreed, having rather a lot of experience in dealing with different factions within his chosen industry. "Particularly with Gimli given your friendship with him. Shieldbrothers, right?"
"Rather like the lot of you here," Legolas agreed. "Yes, that was so in the beginning, but Adar appreciates Gimli for his own sake now."
"Gimli was described to us a a bit on the dour side," Tony commented.
"Not true," Legolas insisted. "He has a fine sense of humor. He is also a master strategist when it comes to pranks. It will be a very long time before the sons of Elrond dare to pull another prank on us." He grinned wickedly.
"There's a good story there. Details, please." Tony looked like nothing so much as a child begging for stories at that moment and Legolas laughingly complied, recounting for him the tale of the last time Elrond's twin sons had played a prank on him, catching Gimli in the crossfire. The dwarf had definitely not appreciated being covered in manure and had plotted an elaborate revenge, aided and abetted fully by Legolas. The result had been so spectacular that the peredhel had declared the centuries long prank war between themselves and Legolas to be over.
He swapped stories with Tony until the billionaire dozed off just as the false dawn began. Legolas shook his head fondly and settled the Man more comfortably onto the seat portion of the couch before resuming his preferred place along the back of it.
oOo
Legolas was still perched on the couch back when Steve wandered into the kitchen area some time later, although he had put his dishes and Tony's mug in the dishwasher. The super soldier glanced from Tony to Legolas and arched a brow. Legolas gave him a shrug.
"He is resting. I thought it best not to disturb him," the elf said quietly. He'd already determined that Steve's hearing was far keener than that of the rest of his team, almost up to Legolas' own.
"How long has he been there?" Steve spoke softly too, apparently he'd discovered the same of Legolas.
"A few hours. Not long enough for his needs, I deem." Legolas nimbly climbed down, disturbing Tony not at all. Steve sighed.
"JARVIS, is Pepper awake and dressed?" He asked, looking up out of habit.
"Yes, Captain Rogers. Shall I tell her that you will be bringing Mr. Stark to their room directly?"
"Please," Steve said, walking over to the couch. "Won't be the first time I've had to help her put him to bed," he commented, lifting Tony as if he was a child. Stark muttered something unintelligible but made no other move or sound.
"I have done the same for Gimli a time or two," Legolas said, grinning. "Do you need help getting him to his rooms?"
"No, but thanks. I'll be back shortly." He headed to the elevators, the doors opening before him courtesy of JARVIS.
By the time Steve got back, Legolas had sliced apples, melons, and kiwi in a large bowl with grapes, blueberries, and tangerine sections and he was working on toasting bread. Steve grabbed a frying pan and began working on bacon and eggs, telling JARVIS to send the cooking scents through the ventilation ducts to the team's rooms save for Tony's.
"Thank you," the elf said, placing two slices of toast on a plate for Steve, "I do not feel competent to work that device," he indicated the stove, "as yet."
"It took me awhile before I did," the super soldier admitted, setting out a second pan for more bacon. "I was used to a small gas stove with two burners." He caught Legolas' look of confusion. "It was pretty primitive compared to this."
"Not as primitive as a fire in a pit," the elf commented. "Which would be the extent of my cooking experience."
"I never did that until after the Avengers were formed. Clint and Bruce found out I'd never been camping and we all went out to Yellowstone. I'd like to go back sometime." He turned the bacon before elaborating. "Yellowstone is a National Park, a wilderness area where people go to experience nature. It's absolutely beautiful." He grinned suddenly. "It was worth it just for the s'mores. Graham crackers, toasted marshmallow and melted chocolate."
"That, I would like to try," the elf commented, popping a slice of apple into his mouth, his expression contented as he chewed, eyes flicking toward the elevator. Bruce entered the kitchen yawning a moment later. Steve set a mug of already steeping tea in front of him.
"Thanks," Banner muttered, rubbing his eyes and then running his hand through his hair.
"You're welcome." Steve transferred the bacon from the pan onto a plate before adding more bacon to the pan. "Good morning again, Pepper," he greeted her as she sat down at the island. He placed a cup of coffee in front of her and Legolas set a bowl of fruit and a plate with two slices of toast on it in front of her before setting another plate and bowl in front of Bruce.
"Thank you very much," Pepper said, giving both Legolas and Steve a bright smile. The elf smiled back, his manner still a bit diffident with her. He had not had as much interaction with Pepper as he had had with the Avengers and he tended to still be a bit shy with her. Steve, well over any shyness in her presence by this point, just grinned and placed the first plate of bacon between Bruce and Pepper.
"Dig in while you can. Once Clint shows up, we'll all have to fight for the bacon." The super soldier cracked a couple of eggs into a third pan, into which he had transferred some of the bacon grease.
"That's so unhealthy, Steve," Pepper protested, seeing what he was cooking the eggs in.
"But so tasty," Bruce commented, picking up a piece of bacon. "He doesn't do it every time he cooks, Pepper. Once in a while it's fine." He gave her one of his sidelong looks with a slight smile. "Besides, his metabolism renders the unhealthy issue null and void. It's the rest of us, except Thor and now Legolas as well, who have to be concerned about it."
"Greetings, friends!" The Thunder God announced his arrival into the kitchen. "I have missed breaking my fast with you, although I would not forgo the company of my lady willingly, either." He sat down next to Bruce.
"Good morning, Thor," Steve said, placing the second plate of bacon in front of the Asgardian. "How is Jane?"
"Well indeed," Thor replied, popping a piece of bacon into his mouth and chewing appreciatively. "She is concluding her research in the New Mexico and will be traveling here soon to start a new project." He grinned. "Then, I will not need to forgo either her company or yours."
"Tony said she had taken him up on his offer of lab space and funding," Pepper commented, spearing an apple chunk with her fork. "I think she'll be very happy here. Tony is pretty hands off with the people he sponsors, so long as they're good stewards of his grant funds. Dr. Foster has a stellar reputation in that respect." She smiled at him. "He extended the same offer to Dr. Selvig, too."
"So he informed me," Thor said, around a mouthful of bacon. "Erik has not yet decided what he wishes to do." He frowned momentarily. "His mistreatment at my brother's hands still weighs heavily on him, I believe, though both Jane and I have tried to convince him that any and all blame lies squarely on Loki and his allies. He is still struggling."
"He's an academic, not a soldier," Steve said, flipping the eggs. "He doesn't have to mindset to be able to separate his own actions from the actions he was forced to perform. Not yet, anyway." he met Thor's eyes briefly. "Keep working on him, he'll eventually come around."
"So I believe as well, and so I have said to Jane," Thor agreed. He turned to Legolas. "How fare you, elf of Arda?"
"Well, thank you. Bruce has said that I may begin using a bow again in a few days, so long as I do not overtax myself."
"Excellent! I should like to see you shoot, if I may."
"I would be honored," Legolas said, bowing slightly. He spooned some of the fruit into a bowl which he then offered to Thor, who accepted it with a nod of thanks and promptly dug into it.
The elevator sounded again and Tony wandered in, hair sticking up in all directions and bleary-eyed. Steve just handed him a cup of coffee without comment and the billionaire plopped himself onto the stool next to Pepper, taking a huge swig of coffee as soon as he was settled. Pepper also made no comment, she simply smoothed Tony's hair for him and placed a plate in front of him, adding bacon, fruit, and buttered toast to it. Tony drained his coffee cup and Steve refilled it immediately. Halfway through the second cup, Tony began to pick at the food in front of him. Pepper smiled into her own cup of coffee.
"Good morning, Tony." He glanced at her, grunted, and drained his cup again. She chuckled. "That's Tony-speak for 'Good morning, Pepper, I haven't had enough coffee yet to be articulate'," she commented wryly. He gave her a sidelong glance, clearly awake enough to have the presence of mind not to scowl at her. She chuckled again. "And that's Tony-speak for 'I know better than to annoy my girlfriend'." Tony snorted.
"I'll annoy you later," he said, holding out his cup so Steve could pour more coffee into it. He caught Bruce' eye and gave him an exasperated look. "What, Jolly Green? We both know three cups of coffee is nothing for me."
"I don't want to watch you ricochet off the walls of the lab later," Bruce said dryly.
"Buzz kill," Tony said, smirking at him. Bruce just rolled his eyes.
oOo
Legolas sighed, sitting back away from the tablet in front of him and stretching. Tony had set up something called a program to teach Legolas the common language among the Avengers. It was a complicated tongue, full of contradictions, but he was beginning to pick it up. Learning made the time pass more quickly, and once he became proficient enough to read this language, he would have more to fill his time. Steve and Bruce had offered access to their extensive collections of books. The others preferred to use something called an electronic format for reading. Tony and Clint had gotten into a heated debate on the virtues of something called Kindle versus Tony's Stark Tablet reader that Legolas had followed perhaps a quarter of. He picked up the tablet and moved to the couch in the kitchen, curling up and continuing his lesson.
The sun had moved across the sky quite a bit when Natasha entered the kitchen. "Good noon, Natasha," he greeted in the language he was learning. She gave him a slight smile.
"Almost. It's 'good afternoon'. English is a tricky language. It doesn't make much sense and it contains a lot of words and phrases borrowed from other languages, particularly American English."
"I am discovering that. I am enjoying learning it, however."
"Just don't let Clint teach you to swear." She opened the refrigerator, frowning and muttering something in a language that was not English. "Is it too much to ask that I be left just piece sharp cheddar cheese?" She turned to face the elf. "They aren't men, they're eating machines," she huffed, clearly annoyed.
"Are you referring to the yellow cheese in the red wrapper? Steve hid it in with the vegetables so Tony and Clint would not find it before you did." He grinned at her. "He also put the flatbread crackers that you prefer in the broom closet." She shook her head.
"He's sneakier than they give him credit for. I'll thank him later," she commented, retrieving both the cheese and the crackers. "Care to share them with me?"
"Yes, please. I will slice us an apple as well," he said, rising and setting the tablet aside to do so. They ate in silence for several minutes before Tony and Steve entered the kitchen.
"Natasha, there's another anomaly," Steve said. "Southern Illinois this time. Suit up and meet us on the helipad."
"Right," she said, standing quickly and heading for her apartment.
"Legolas, keep your tablet near you in case we need you," Steve said, heading for the elevator.
"I will. Take care." The elf's expression was carefully neutral, a sure sign that he was distressed.
"Will do. JARVIS will keep you posted."
oOo
"Too damned close for comfort," Tony commented, pausing in mid-air to survey the lay of the battle that raged beneath him. "An Air Force Base all the way out here in B.F.E. and whoever is responsible for opening these anomalies just happens to drop another damned Mumak and a passel of orcs almost on top of it."
"Just be thankful that they missed and hit a soy bean field instead," Steve commented, sending his shield to collide with two orcs who were trying to stalk Natasha. "Thor's got the Mumak, we just need to clear out the orcs."
"Never thought I'd be glad for stupidity, but I'm profoundly glad that these things are terminally stupid, "Tony commented, blasting a trio of the creatures.
"No shit, Einstein," Clint commented, skewering a fourth orc. "Four down, eight to go. Cap, ten o'clock!" Steve spun and took out the orc trying to sneak up behind him with his shield.
"Thanks, Barton. And aren't you mixing pop culture references?" He turned and threw his shield at another pair of orcs. Tony guffawed, shooting past Cap to take out another of the creatures.
"You're learning, Capsicle. I'm so proud!" He landed, ricocheting a repulsor blast off of Cap's shield before launching back into the air. He grinned behind his face plate at the muttered 'smart ass' that made it through Steve's com.
"Everyone's a critic," Clint retorted, sending another arrow into an orc skull. "Nat's got one, that leaves the last for you, Cap."
"Got him," Steve said, catching his shield after it connected with the last orc standing.
"S.H.I.E.L.D. clean up team is 3 out," Clint said, hopping down from the tree he'd been sitting in. "Let's ask one of the nice airmen escorting us what's a good place for food around here."
"I could eat," Tony said, landing next to Steve. "Don't even have to ask Point Break or Spangles. Bruce, ya hungry?"
"Surprisingly, yes," the scientist said over the com. He hadn't been needed as his giant green alter-ego on this go around. "Airman Schumacher says that Skooter's on Main Street in the town closest to the base is pretty good."
"I'm in," Natasha said, wiping orc blood off a blade that she stashed somewhere on her person.
"By all means, let's go have a slice of hometown USA," Tony quipped. He glanced up. "There's our relief team now."
oOo
Skooter's turned out to be a little family restaurant in one of the buildings that had lined the main drag through the small town since the 1800s. It was slightly shabby, outdated, and cramped but the food was indeed decent and the citizens were friendly. Tony made a snarky remark that the Avengers were the most excitement the town had had since the enormous bicentennial mural had gone up on the building across the street from the restaurant, but other than that he was remarkably well behaved, and he tipped the entire restaurant staff several hundred dollars apiece when they left. Clint noted laughingly that there were an equal number of bars and churches lining Main street as they rode out to their pick up location.
"Yeah, they throw a pretty decent party every August here, too," Airman First Class Charles Schumacher, their escort/driver said. "Basically, it's an excuse to drive tractors down Main street, gather in the park, drink lots of beer and eat fish sandwiches and potato pancakes." He grinned over his shoulder, remarkably unfazed by the team. "That's a German farming community for you, at least this German farming community."
"Are you local, Airman?" Cap asked.
"I'm from New Baden, a few miles from here. Mom and Dad were just glad I got stationed close to home for awhile. It's been nice." He guided the van they were riding in past the outskirts of the small town. "Apologies, Captain. I have to really watch it through here. Deer crossing. They're pretty thick through this stretch of road."
"No problem, Airman Schumacher. I appreciate your diligence."
"My pleasure, Captain."
oOo
The team finally made it back to the Tower around eleven that night. While exhausted, and hungry again, none of them felt like going to their own rooms and so, like so many other times after battles, they all made their way to the common area. They filed into the home theater part of the common area.
Legolas sat on the couch, his expression solemn. Behind him, on the table he had apparently moved from the dining area, there were still hot boxes of pizza, hot wings, and pasta along with salad and an assortment of beverages. He gave them a slight smile and inclined his head.
"I asked JARVIS to request the foods you most preferred," he said, gesturing to the bounty on the table. "I was concerned that, in Mistress Potts' absence, you might not receive enough to eat if left to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s mercies."
"I was NOT looking forward to having to cook something," Clint said, making a beeline for the wings. "Thank you, elf boy!" Legolas merely arched an eyebrow, recognizing what nicknames signified to this group.
"You are welcome, Cupid," he shot back with a grin. Clint laughed and slapped him on the shoulder.
"Thanks for not calling me Katniss," he said, still chuckling. Legolas made a face.
"Why would I do that? That movie, how do you say it?"
"Sucked pond scum?" Barton supplied.
"Exactly. 'Sucked pond scum'." The elf rose, moving to the table. "I take it that the battle went well?"
"As well as any battle goes," Steve said, picking up a pizza box. It was his favorite, one the restaurant called 'Garbage Can Pizza', with every conceivable topping. "We neutralized the threat and no one got hurt."
"That is usually the best possible outcome," the elf agreed, handing Steve a beer. He had apparently designated himself as the bartender for everyone except Tony. Legolas was remarkably good at reading nuances and body language and he merely stepped out of Tony's way with a slight bow. Stark gave him a smirk and a nod, acknowledging his perceptiveness before grabbing a box of his own, pepperoni and bacon, and a beer and heading back to the couch.
As soon as everyone was settled, Legolas glanced up. "JARVIS, please start the movie."
Clint laughed again.
"I think he knows us too well, guys." He raised his bottle to Legolas, who returned the gesture. "What're we watching?"
"I took the liberty of recommending a comedy this time, Agent Barton," JARVIS' cultured voice replied. "Ferris Bueller's Day Off."
"Good choice, J," Tony said, around a mouthful of pizza. "Cap hasn't seen that one yet."
oOo
As the credits rolled, Legolas stretched and looked around the room. No one had fallen asleep, although Clint looked like it would not be long before he did. Catching Bruce's eye, Legolas nodded slightly.
"You remembered something, didn't you?" the scientist asked.
"Yes, at least I believe I did." The elf's brows knitted in concentration. "I remember a shaft of light from the sky immediately prior to the flash of light and being transported here."
"That suggests that the anomalies are originating somewhere other than Arda," Tony said, sitting up abruptly from his lazy slouch. "If we can figure out where, we can trace and track them."
"You're suggesting that they're deliberate as well," Bruce said.
"You know I've thought that from the beginning," Stark said, shrugging. "They MIGHT be naturally occurring, but the fact that creatures that cause destruction and chaos have come through the anomalies every time one's opened isn't indicative of a natural occurrence."
"I agree with Tony," Legolas said. "It has seemed to me that your defenses are being tested."
"Yes, but by whom?" Tony asked.
TBC
A/N: The Air Force Base and the small town are not my creations. The town is my hometown, where I spent the majority of my childhood. My grandfather was a civilian Master electrician and mechanic who worked on base. He was also ex-army and a WWII veteran. He used to take my siblings and myself out to the base to watch the planes take off and land on Sundays sometimes. This was during the 1970s, so security was not what it is now. Skooter's and the mural are also real, or were the last time I was there. Admittedly, it's been several years since I don't have much family in that area now that my grandmother is gone.