The McMurtrie Building, Rolt Heights [88,12]
Bright nasturtiums climbing high Isabel "Bizzy" Bowers of Malibu, California, USA, is the proprietor of Book Bizarre in the beautiful McMurtrie Building [88,12] in Rolt Heights. She was visiting cousins in Malton when the outbreak began, trapping her as it did so many others.
Book Bizarre, for those of you new to the district, is an independent bookstore specializing in murder mysteries and supernatural fiction. The bookstore occupies all four floors of the historic McMurtrie Building.
While nowhere near as large as million-volume Powell's City of Books in Portland, Oregon, USA, Book Bizarre nonetheless is estimated to contain a hundred thousand books. Part of the second floor is home to the coffee shop, Unhallowed Grounds, offering a wide selection of gourmet coffees, teas and fresh pastries. Bizzy invites you to come in, relax and enjoy their warm hospitality. Because of the balconies extending from the second level, on fair days patrons may take their refreshments outdoors and read their books to the soothing moans of the shambling zed crowds shuffling along the streets below. Music's in the air and it isn't just jazz quartets and swing from The Mighty Wurlitzer, the jukebox still pristine even after all the travail.
The black currant jam is from bushes established in the roof garden across the street. Originally, Bizzy started it to produce salad ingredients. That was a number of years ago and it's now grown quite lush. Seedlings and cuttings were planted in large pots, old wash basins and re-purposed cast-iron bathtubs. These tubs and sinks were salvaged at great personal risk by Bizzy and her cohorts from burned-out buildings around the town. (Ask Bizzy, and she'll arrange a tour for you.) The roof is where she keeps the few chickens that provide the eggs for her cakes. Then of course, there's the famous view from the north balcony of the roses blooming in the warmth of the sun.
Late summer is always a very special time at Unhallowed Grounds. A riot of flowers grace every table and fresh fruit pies are always available.
Long ago, there was no roof garden here
The shop is conveniently located four blocks from the Burchell Arms [89,17]. The quickest revives may be had at cemetery [88,13]. After you're revived, while away your afternoons in Book Bizarre next door, then run the four blocks to the Burchell Arms. Their ale is the stuff of legend! All of the holiday parties at Book Bizarre are catered by the Burchell Arms Regulars. These stalwarts have never yet let the community down. Bizzy's buffet table is always a splendid spread that fills half of Unhallowed Grounds. (Where do those deer keep coming from?)
Pyewacket, the shop's cat, enjoys the summers. He's teased mercilessly by the local jackdaws, but always takes it good-naturedly.
There are whispers around the neighborhood, not even rumours really, that Bizzy must be a witch because in spite of all the attacks, the interior of the book shop is still lovely. Bizzy just smiles and shakes her head,
then laughs that if she were actually in league with the forces of darkness she'd be doing a lot better than an odd store on the edge of a ruined city. We aren't so sure. "People make their own luck. It's old saying but it's
true," Bizzy assures us with a wink and encouragement to finish our coffee cake. She thanks us for coming by to interview her and bustles off, exuding an air of invincibility, to polish some brass or whip up a new batch of
blueberry scones in her fabulous shop.
There's lots to do in Rolt Heights™
Don't miss our Late Summer specials!
This week's special - Sponge cake, Fresh fruit and Lemonade!
Book Bizarre is always barricaded to EHB
for the comfort and safety of our patrons.
Pyewacket, the shop's cat
Late summer in Bizzy's roof garden
The Hungry Ghost Festival falls on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month every year in the Oriental calendar. In 2019, the Western date is August 15th. (In 2020, the Western date falls on September 2nd.) During this month, people leave treats out for the restless dead to enjoy, so they do not feel forgotten. Ancestors and deceased loved ones are prayed for; special afterlife [faux] money, incense and candles are burned, so they have things they can use where they are now*.
Unhallowed Grounds offers many teas and coffees made just the way you like. Stop in any time for a fresh pastry treat, warm cake, pie or something chilled, if you prefer. If Bizzy is out on a supply run, someone charming will be in the shop and ready to serve you. Book Bizarre stands vigil 24/7. Come and join the celebration, always in progress, and give us a chance to please you. Whether it's a bank holiday or just a gloriously sunny day, Book Bizarre is indulging and so should you.
Isabel "Bizzy" Bowers (talk)
* [1]
