Tidying up...

[J Peters]

Gemini takes down the flyers some rude person just plastered up on the
windows, and puts them in the recycling bin.

"Some folks just don't know how to behave."

[lkosov]

Post by J Peters
Gemini takes down the flyers some rude person just plastered up on the
windows, and puts them in the recycling bin.
"Some folks just don't know how to behave."

lkosov shakes his head sadly. "I suppose there's a downside to activity
here. People only put up flyers where other people might see 'em."

He sighs, frowns. "Whilst we're on the subject... I come from a place
called the Tildeverse. It's a vaguely Callahan-ian sort of place, albeit
made up of people who have mostly never heard of Callahan's, nor read
about it. There's a similar philosophy, a desire to get psychic, though
not in so many words. Not sure about saving the world, though."

"I've been interested--like a lot of people in the Tildeverse--in the old
virtual communities of yore. I've read the old books, seen the old
postings, visited the old groups, talkers, MOOs, and so on. I've been by
Callahan's, the Cloven Shield, the Dragon's Inn... it's how I found the
Amethyst, which amazingly still has patrons." He nods to Galileo. "And the
same great staff it's always had."

lkosov laughs. "I'd like to invite some friends, if that's okay with you
all. But before I do, on the subject of 'tidying up', there's just one
thing I gotta ask." He blushes slightly, gestures to a copy of the
Amethyst's FAQ. "What year is it? Or... what century? The FAQ is emphatic
that it's the 20th century--part 27 begs, quote, 'no non-20th century
stuff', unquote. I'm guessing that's just a minor oversight, but if Hootie
and the Blowfish are in fact still relevant here, Y2K has yet to come,
that would be... helpful to know, for newcomers."

[J Peters]

Post by lkosov

Post by J Peters
Gemini takes down the flyers some rude person just plastered up on the
windows, and puts them in the recycling bin.
"Some folks just don't know how to behave."

lkosov shakes his head sadly. "I suppose there's a downside to activity
here. People only put up flyers where other people might see 'em."
He sighs, frowns. "Whilst we're on the subject... I come from a place
called the Tildeverse. It's a vaguely Callahan-ian sort of place, albeit
made up of people who have mostly never heard of Callahan's, nor read
about it. There's a similar philosophy, a desire to get psychic, though
not in so many words. Not sure about saving the world, though."
"I've been interested--like a lot of people in the Tildeverse--in the
old virtual communities of yore. I've read the old books, seen the old
postings, visited the old groups, talkers, MOOs, and so on. I've been by
Callahan's, the Cloven Shield, the Dragon's Inn... it's how I found the
Amethyst, which amazingly still has patrons." He nods to Galileo. "And
the same great staff it's always had."
lkosov laughs. "I'd like to invite some friends, if that's okay with you
all. But before I do, on the subject of 'tidying up', there's just one
thing I gotta ask." He blushes slightly, gestures to a copy of the
Amethyst's FAQ. "What year is it? Or... what century? The FAQ is
emphatic that it's the 20th century--part 27 begs, quote, 'no non-20th
century stuff', unquote. I'm guessing that's just a minor oversight, but
if Hootie and the Blowfish are in fact still relevant here, Y2K has yet
to come, that would be... helpful to know, for newcomers."

Gemini looks over at some dusty bookshelves in the back corner.

"I think the FAQ may be sitting back there somewhere, but, as you can
tell, nobody has paid it any mind is ages. It's more of a relic from
the opening of this place. A declaration of independence from another
place, perhaps."

[Skatha]

Post by J Peters

Post by lkosov

Post by J Peters
Gemini takes down the flyers some rude person just plastered up on the
windows, and puts them in the recycling bin.
"Some folks just don't know how to behave."

lkosov shakes his head sadly. "I suppose there's a downside to activity
here. People only put up flyers where other people might see 'em."
He sighs, frowns. "Whilst we're on the subject... I come from a place
called the Tildeverse. It's a vaguely Callahan-ian sort of place, albeit
made up of people who have mostly never heard of Callahan's, nor read
about it. There's a similar philosophy, a desire to get psychic, though
not in so many words. Not sure about saving the world, though."
"I've been interested--like a lot of people in the Tildeverse--in the
old virtual communities of yore. I've read the old books, seen the old
postings, visited the old groups, talkers, MOOs, and so on. I've been by
Callahan's, the Cloven Shield, the Dragon's Inn... it's how I found the
Amethyst, which amazingly still has patrons." He nods to Galileo. "And
the same great staff it's always had."
lkosov laughs. "I'd like to invite some friends, if that's okay with you
all. But before I do, on the subject of 'tidying up', there's just one
thing I gotta ask." He blushes slightly, gestures to a copy of the
Amethyst's FAQ. "What year is it? Or... what century? The FAQ is
emphatic that it's the 20th century--part 27 begs, quote, 'no non-20th
century stuff', unquote. I'm guessing that's just a minor oversight, but
if Hootie and the Blowfish are in fact still relevant here, Y2K has yet
to come, that would be... helpful to know, for newcomers."

Gemini looks over at some dusty bookshelves in the back corner.
"I think the FAQ may be sitting back there somewhere, but, as you can
tell, nobody has paid it any mind is ages. It's more of a relic from
the opening of this place. A declaration of independence from another
place, perhaps."

Skatha smacks her forehead. "The Cloven Shield! *That* was the name I was trying to remember! I didn't stay long, but I remember it fondly. Thank you for the reminder! But I agree, the FAQ here is probably long overdue for an update, even for us dinosaurs. And it would definitely benefit from some new customers!"

[J Peters]

Post by Skatha

Post by J Peters

Post by lkosov

Post by J Peters
Gemini takes down the flyers some rude person just plastered up on the
windows, and puts them in the recycling bin.
"Some folks just don't know how to behave."

lkosov shakes his head sadly. "I suppose there's a downside to activity
here. People only put up flyers where other people might see 'em."
He sighs, frowns. "Whilst we're on the subject... I come from a place
called the Tildeverse. It's a vaguely Callahan-ian sort of place, albeit
made up of people who have mostly never heard of Callahan's, nor read
about it. There's a similar philosophy, a desire to get psychic, though
not in so many words. Not sure about saving the world, though."
"I've been interested--like a lot of people in the Tildeverse--in the
old virtual communities of yore. I've read the old books, seen the old
postings, visited the old groups, talkers, MOOs, and so on. I've been by
Callahan's, the Cloven Shield, the Dragon's Inn... it's how I found the
Amethyst, which amazingly still has patrons." He nods to Galileo. "And
the same great staff it's always had."
lkosov laughs. "I'd like to invite some friends, if that's okay with you
all. But before I do, on the subject of 'tidying up', there's just one
thing I gotta ask." He blushes slightly, gestures to a copy of the
Amethyst's FAQ. "What year is it? Or... what century? The FAQ is
emphatic that it's the 20th century--part 27 begs, quote, 'no non-20th
century stuff', unquote. I'm guessing that's just a minor oversight, but
if Hootie and the Blowfish are in fact still relevant here, Y2K has yet
to come, that would be... helpful to know, for newcomers."

Gemini looks over at some dusty bookshelves in the back corner.
"I think the FAQ may be sitting back there somewhere, but, as you can
tell, nobody has paid it any mind is ages. It's more of a relic from
the opening of this place. A declaration of independence from another
place, perhaps."

Skatha smacks her forehead. "The Cloven Shield! *That* was the name I was trying to remember! I didn't stay long, but I remember it fondly. Thank you for the reminder! But I agree, the FAQ here is probably long overdue for an update, even for us dinosaurs. And it would definitely benefit from some new customers!"

Update number 1 for the FAQ - replace 'the 20th century' or similar
phrasing with 'the current time'.

That should cover a fair amount of confusion.

Gemini

[lkosov]

Update number 1 for the FAQ - replace 'the 20th century' or similar phrasing
with 'the current time'.
That should cover a fair amount of confusion.

lkosov nods. "The FTP site with the original Amethyst Coffeehouse stories
is long gone, but they still live on at David's website--and in archived
copies of the same in the Wayback Machine, for a small degree of
future-proofing."

https://www.dangermouse.net/prose/

[James Tomasino]

Post by lkosov

Post by J Peters
"Some folks just don't know how to behave."

lkosov laughs. "I'd like to invite some friends, if that's okay with you
all.

As if on cue, a middle-aged Italian man pokes his head in, looks around at the cozy atmosphere, then slips inside with a grin. "Hey there. I'm Tomasino, or James. Either is fine." He looks around and spots lkosov and gives a little wave, then moves over to join him. "Sorry it took me so long to find my way. I've not been in these parts in years."

James is on the shorter, stoutly side with salt & pepper hair hanging to his shoulders in ringlets. He's sporting a grey beard that could probably use a trim and round glasses that you immediately know must get him far too many Harry Potter or John Lennon jokes. He's halfway in his chair when he pauses, looks up to the counter and sees Galileo and changes direction. "Can you do a Cortado? If not, just an espresso, please."

While he waits, James digs around in his messenger bag for a bit and pulls out a mechanical pencil and a black-leather notebook. "Ahh, there we go," he says as he accepts a tiny cup with a smile and nod and moves back to the chair.

"This place is so nice. I can't believe all the books! Thanks for telling me about it. Can you introduce me around, lkosov?"

"Hi everyone. I'm one of those tilde people. I run a little collaborative storytelling site over at cosmic.voyage and one of our net news nodes on the tildeverse. I just heard about this coffeehouse tonight and I'm so thrilled I found my way over. I have such fond memories of coffeehouses and I could really use a friendly place to relax just about now."

While he settles in, he opens up that leather notebook, takes his pencil and writes today's date at the top. Just underneath he adds the entry, Dad's Birthday, one year since his passing. The pencil doesn't stop for quite a while.

[lkosov]

Post by James Tomasino
"This place is so nice. I can't believe all the books! Thanks for
telling me about it. Can you introduce me around, lkosov?"

lkosov brings James' drink over, sets it down. "You've met Galileo. The
proprietress, Mrs. Shelley, is around here somewhere, I'm sure. As for the
rest..." he gestures around the room, and nods politely to two of the
patrons. "I'm afraid I've only really met Gemini and Skatha. I dare say
they've been here a *bit* longer than I have; they really ought to be the
ones to show you around."

He thinks for a moment, then smiles. "Before they do, though--one pressing
question. What's your position on pistachio ice cream?"

[James Tomasino]

Post by lkosov
He thinks for a moment, then smiles. "Before they do, though--one
pressing question. What's your position on pistachio ice cream?"

"Oh wow, funny you should ask. Just the other day I went with friends to an ice cream shop and got a pistachio & hazelnut blend with nutella on top. It was divine," James answers with a big grin. "I have a lot of fond pistachio memories as a kid, not in the ice cream variety, but the shelled ones that were all red. The red ones were imported from Iran, I think I read. Now they're not red anymore and come from California. At least in the US."

James considers pulling out his phone to look it up, but decides it's not worth it. Better to relax with his drink and a good book.

"Is pistachio ice cream a hot topic?"

[J Peters]

Post by James Tomasino

Post by lkosov
He thinks for a moment, then smiles. "Before they do, though--one
pressing question. What's your position on pistachio ice cream?"

"Oh wow, funny you should ask. Just the other day I went with friends to an ice cream shop and got a pistachio & hazelnut blend with nutella on top. It was divine," James answers with a big grin. "I have a lot of fond pistachio memories as a kid, not in the ice cream variety, but the shelled ones that were all red. The red ones were imported from Iran, I think I read. Now they're not red anymore and come from California. At least in the US."
James considers pulling out his phone to look it up, but decides it's not worth it. Better to relax with his drink and a good book.
"Is pistachio ice cream a hot topic?"

Ice cream a hot topic? Gemini giggles at the thought of warm pistachio
ice cream. Somewhat less appealing that frozen pistachio ice cream.

"You are welcome to my share of any pistachio ice cream that comes our
way. I'll also be generous with any mint flavors. They're just not my
thing."

Gemini sets aside the Hogwarts journal she'd been writing in. "Perhaps
we should have a virtual ice cream social, with each of us fixing a
perfect (to us) ice cream sundae."

Gemini wanders into the back, behind the bar, and returns shortly with
Mrs. Shelley. She is pushing a cart with a cooler on it, while Mrs.
Shelley has a similar cart covered with numerous containers filled with
ice cream toppings. Gemini takes a stack of bowls from the lower part
of the cart and sets them on the bar, along with spoons. She fills a
bowl with a scoop of almond ice cream and one of dark chocolate chip.
She adds whipped cream, strawberries, and a smidge of fudge.

"Help yourselves. I'm pretty sure you'll find your flavor in there."
Gemini nods toward the cooler while she scoops up her first bite.

[lkosov]

Post by James Tomasino
"Oh wow, funny you should ask. Just the other day I went with friends to an
ice cream shop and got a pistachio & hazelnut blend with nutella on top. It
was divine," James answers with a big grin.

"I remember having friends... and going places..." lkosov sighs wistfully.
"Ah, the Before Times."

Gemini sets aside the Hogwarts journal she'd been writing in. "Perhaps we
should have a virtual ice cream social, with each of us fixing a perfect (to
us) ice cream sundae."
Gemini wanders into the back, behind the bar, and returns shortly with Mrs.
Shelley. She is pushing a cart with a cooler on it, while Mrs. Shelley has a
similar cart covered with numerous containers filled with ice cream toppings.
"Help yourselves. I'm pretty sure you'll find your flavor in there." Gemini
nods toward the cooler while she scoops up her first bite.

lkosov awkwardly combines two small scoops of raspberry, and one of
strawberry, ice cream. Feeling that it needs something, he turns to
Galileo. "Any chance I could trouble you for a piece of stale biscotti?"

"You may check the dumpster, if you like," Galileo offers, a hint of
reproach in his voice, "but I believe I heard the garbage truck earlier."

"Sorry," lkosov apologizes. "I didn't want to be an uncouth, cultureless
midwestern savage with the good stuff."

Accepting this sad American excuse for an apology in the spirit it was
intended, Galileo wordlessly offers a piece of biscotti, which lkosov
nestles nearly artistically in his glass.

"What?" he protests to the room's collective aghast side-eye. "It's tasty
when you dip it in the melted ice-cream."

--
Make Pineappple Pizza Great Again

[Skatha]

Post by lkosov

Post by James Tomasino
"Oh wow, funny you should ask. Just the other day I went with friends to an
ice cream shop and got a pistachio & hazelnut blend with nutella on top. It
was divine," James answers with a big grin.

"I remember having friends... and going places..." lkosov sighs wistfully.
"Ah, the Before Times."

Gemini sets aside the Hogwarts journal she'd been writing in. "Perhaps we
should have a virtual ice cream social, with each of us fixing a perfect (to
us) ice cream sundae."
Gemini wanders into the back, behind the bar, and returns shortly with Mrs.
Shelley. She is pushing a cart with a cooler on it, while Mrs. Shelley has a
similar cart covered with numerous containers filled with ice cream toppings.
"Help yourselves. I'm pretty sure you'll find your flavor in there." Gemini
nods toward the cooler while she scoops up her first bite.

lkosov awkwardly combines two small scoops of raspberry, and one of
strawberry, ice cream. Feeling that it needs something, he turns to
Galileo. "Any chance I could trouble you for a piece of stale biscotti?"
"You may check the dumpster, if you like," Galileo offers, a hint of
reproach in his voice, "but I believe I heard the garbage truck earlier."
"Sorry," lkosov apologizes. "I didn't want to be an uncouth, cultureless
midwestern savage with the good stuff."
Accepting this sad American excuse for an apology in the spirit it was
intended, Galileo wordlessly offers a piece of biscotti, which lkosov
nestles nearly artistically in his glass.
"What?" he protests to the room's collective aghast side-eye. "It's tasty
when you dip it in the melted ice-cream."
--
Make Pineappple Pizza Great Again

"Mmmm...ice cream..." Skatha hums happily as she pokes through the different options. "How do I choose just one? Vanilla and saltine crackers? Mint chocolate chip? Blue moon? Salted caramel? Stracciatella gelato?" She settles in her seat with a dish of vanilla ice cream buried beneath hot fudge, caramel, pecans, and cherries. "I suppose I'll start with a classic turtle sundae...for now."

Before starting in on her ice cream, Skatha stands and bows. She's still wearing the black jeans and bright rainbow-colored shirt from her college days, though her hair is now slowly fading to gray. "Anyway, I'm Skatha, and I guess I used to hang out here when the place was at its busiest, at least that's how it felt to me. Lots of crowd to get lost in. I'm lucky that Galileo remembers that I drink tea instead of coffee!"

[J Peters]

Post by lkosov
--
Make Pineappple Pizza Great Again

Gemini raises an eyebrow at a misspelled hot button topic.

"Have you ever heard of Pizza Anarchy? I'd be surprised if you have.
It's something my family does on the day after Thanksgiving, rather than
eating leftover turkey. We make pizza, and stretch the bounds of
pizza-ism. The only rule is that you have to eat some of what you make.
We've had eggplant on pizza, and pizza with Thai chili sauce on it.
Someone made a 'pizza' with a sweet crust, cream cheese, and fruit
topping once. (It was tasty, actually.) Some folks started making
artistic pizza, doing salutes to impressionism in onion, bell pepper,
olive and whatever."

[lkosov]

Post by J Peters

Post by lkosov
Make Pineappple Pizza Great Again

Gemini raises an eyebrow at a misspelled hot button topic.

lkosov shrugs apologetically. His keyboard, whilst mechanical, leaves a
bit to be desired, sometimes.

Post by J Peters
"Have you ever heard of Pizza Anarchy? I'd be surprised if you have. It's
something my family does on the day after Thanksgiving, rather than eating
leftover turkey. We make pizza, and stretch the bounds of pizza-ism. The
only rule is that you have to eat some of what you make.

lkosov shakes his head, grinning. "I have not heard of that before, but it
sounds fantastic. Fortunately my roommate and I are reasonably
pizza-compatible, and equally culinarily adventurous. Might have to start
making plans, hm..." He gets the telltale faraway look of some Plotting
Mischief, and falls silent.

[Skatha]

Post by lkosov

Post by J Peters

Post by lkosov
Make Pineappple Pizza Great Again

Gemini raises an eyebrow at a misspelled hot button topic.

lkosov shrugs apologetically. His keyboard, whilst mechanical, leaves a
bit to be desired, sometimes.

Post by J Peters
"Have you ever heard of Pizza Anarchy? I'd be surprised if you have. It's
something my family does on the day after Thanksgiving, rather than eating
leftover turkey. We make pizza, and stretch the bounds of pizza-ism. The
only rule is that you have to eat some of what you make.

lkosov shakes his head, grinning. "I have not heard of that before, but it
sounds fantastic. Fortunately my roommate and I are reasonably
pizza-compatible, and equally culinarily adventurous. Might have to start
making plans, hm..." He gets the telltale faraway look of some Plotting
Mischief, and falls silent.

"I tend to be less adventurous with pizzas, though my friend and I have had a blast making pizzas from scratch a few times when we're trying to find a Thanksgiving meal that pleases both the vegetarian and the carnivore between us."