The McMurtrie Building, Rolt Heights [88,12]
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 summertime view from the north balcony of the roses blooming in the warmth of the sun.
Burns' Night Suppers have become a tradition in the United Kingdom. These are hosted on January 25th, the birthday of one of the most famous Scotsman, the great poet, Robert Burns. He is most well-known for writing "Auld Lang Syne". (If his birthday falls on a work-day, the supper is usually moved to the following Saturday night so that the attendees can relax and enjoy their whiskey
with the meal.)
The haggis is a minced casserole very much like corned beef hash, but made from mutton and baked inside a sheep's stomach. Playing a bagpipe tune, a piper leads the procession from the kitchen to the dining room. Rabbie Burns loved the dish and wrote "Address to a Haggis".* The poem is quoted by the host or a professional actor before the casing is cut open with great ceremony. The haggis is spooned out and served with taties (mashed potatoes) and "neeps". Neeps is the Scottish word for swede turnips, rutabagas for Americans, mashed with lots of butter. Haggis is also good made from venison instead of mutton.**
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 afternoon in Book Bizarre next door, then slip your Yaktrax over your boots for traction on the ice and 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 snow. He's always ready to explore something new.
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 an 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 delicious treats in her fabulous shop.
There's lots to do in Rolt Heights™
Don't miss our Rabbie Burns' January 25th birthday special!
This week's special - Oatmeal Biscuits and fruit with your choice of any beverage!
Book Bizarre is always barricaded to EHB
for the comfort and safety of our patrons. Venison haggis is very good
Pyewacket, the shop's cat 
Decorated fruit trees in the roof garden
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]
**[2]
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