Mr. Sea, with a great and heavy labor, managed to lift his large frame out of his seat and meander to the door. He opened it slowly and both he and Dash saw the gigantic figure of a beast that was so massive he nearly blotted out the early evening sun. Looking up at the imposing tower of  orange, black and white fur; Mr. Sea was greeted by the most piercing, hauntingly sinister looking pair of yellowish eyes. 

 

“Good eve-un-ning” said the massive Siberian Tiger taking up every centimeter of space in the doorway. “I am look-ing for Mr. Sea” he said in a voice so deep and strange it sounded like  a demon hiding in a deep, dark cave. His voice flowed into the evening wind and collided with Mr. Sea’s ears causing Mr. Sea to shutter and remain glued to the floor.

 

“Uhh. Hello” Mr. Sea said. He did not mean for it to sound like a question. 

 

“ I am Vladimir.” Said the tiger “ I come from Siberia to teach at uni-ver-sity. You have room?”.

 

Both Mr. Sea and Dash did not move a muscle. 

 

“Yes, um, yes, of course, please come in” Mr. Sea responded, his voice rising an octave higher. 

 

Vladimir sauntered in the Old Book House in that way only a 215 kg wild cat could. He set his suitcase and valise down and examined the room with his mysterious yellowish eyes which reflected a sinister orange from the fire in the fireplace. 

 

“Hello...I’m Dash” the dachshund began nervously. Vladimir gracefully turned his head towards the dog in such a manner that it sent shivers along the elongated spine of the dachshund. “P..pl...pleased to make your acquaintance sir.” Stammered Dash.

 

“Tell us a bit about yourself Vlad, may I call you Vlad?”.

 

“I prefer Vladimir,” responded the tiger. “And I teach Russian lit-er-a-ture. I will teach at the uni-ver-sity”.

 

The tiger had a distinct way of speaking and a strong presence. It seemed as if his merely being there took up the entire room and filled the house with his essence. His thick accent was palpable, like one could cut through it with a sword. He was certainly a presence all right!

 

A clang followed by a crash came from the kitchen and caused Vladmir’s sharp ears to swing in that general direction. Mr. Sea and Dash followed his eyes. They were transfixed by Vladimir. 

 

“Oh, that’s just Apollo preparing supper” Said Mr. Sea. “We are preparing a mighty feast for our most welcomed guest” Mr. Sea said in a supplicating manner not knowing for certain if the feast was indeed “mighty”.

 

“Da, this is good. I will enjoy feast.I feel a mighty hunger in belly.” Vladimir said as he slowly sat on the empty leather couch. 

 

Vladimir spoke of his long travels from Siberia, the many trains he was required to take. He spoke about his childhood telling the tale of how he became a literature professor.

 

“When I was cub” Vladimir began, “Mother was killed by ambush of rivals. I was alone for first six years. Surviving alone is difficult life. One day my belly ached from hunger. In those times everyone was poor. Little food. Little work. In des-per-a-tion, Vladimir took  morsel of bread from the bakers. Just tiny morsel. The police come and put Vladimir in prison.”

 

Frozen at the thought of welcoming a prisoner into his home, Mr. Sea’s forehead began to perspire. Nevertheless, the two were completely mesmerized by Vladimir’s tale. The pair listened intently, while in the kitchen, Apollo, ever the culinary master, was grilling and basting, roasting and poaching, seasoning and mixing a fine supper for the four. 

 

“This was first time Vladimir was imprisoned. When I was old enough to work, I work in factory to make parts for machine used in production of goods. I kept to myself. I bother no one. But, one day police come, and again, take Vladimir to prison.”

 

“Why were you imprisoned a second time?” Asked Dash.