I open the speakeasy window. A group of men crowd toward the door.
“Are you going to let us in? We’ve been waiting forever.”
“We demand to speak to the management.”
“I’m the owner.”
“Finally.” He acts as if he’s been waiting years instead of five minutes.
“You need the password to enter,” I explain.
“We’re here now. Do we really need a password?”
“No password. No entry.”
It’s not a difficult concept to comprehend, but somehow, there are always people who think an exception will be made for them. The only exception is for locals. Because they’d find a way to enter with or without the password. Smuggler’s Hideaway residents are the definition of sneaky.
“How do we get the password?”
“You have to answer a riddle.”
He grins. “No problem. What’s the riddle?”
“I dwell where land and sea embrace. With songs that echo in moonlit space. Though I’m no fish, I have a tail. In the ocean’s depths, I weave my tale. Who am I?”
“Duh. You’re a fish.”
Another man elbows him. “She literally said she’s no fish.”
“Seal.”
“Not a seal,” I say.
“Octopus.”
I shake my head. We’re going to be here all night at this rate. It’s not a difficult riddle. I purposely make them easy enough to answer. I don’t want to turn potential customers away. I’m operating a business here after all.
“Seagull!”
“Pearl!”
“Dolphin!”
“Coral!”
I sigh. “Do you want me to repeat the riddle, or do you prefer to shout creatures of the sea all night long?”
“Repeat it. We’ve got this.”
“I dwell where land and sea embrace. With songs that echo in moonlit space. Though I’m no fish, I have a tail. In the ocean’s depths, I weave my tale. Who am I?”
This time, the men huddle together as they try to figure out the riddle.
“Siren.”
“You’re getting closer.”
“Sea nymph.”
