Elmingway

Two Months Prior

George and Mary Ann

"George, dear" Mary Ann called.

"Yes?" George asked.

"I've just received an invite to a gala, perhaps bordering more on potluck, I can't be quite sure" she trailed off, a confused look on her face as she studied the invitation.

"And..?" George prompted her.

"Ah, yes, well I'm meant to be going as an author, so I'll have to, um, leave you behind for... believability's sake" Mary Ann said.

"I'm not quite sure I'm following you here" George said.

"Well, you see, I send my books to print under the name George Eliot and I'd really rather not ruin my image" she said. He furrowed his brow and looked at the ground a moment.

"Yes, well... I suppose we couldn't have that. You can go alone. I think I have some of the boys' old clothes that'll fit you alright. Perhaps a hat? A false mustache? And we'll have to coach you on what to talk about of course" George said.

"Thank you so much George. I do think this will be fun" Mary Ann said excitedly.

"Yes, sure" George responded.

"I'm off into town now to get some things we need. I'll be back shortly" Mary Ann said.

"See you soon" George said.

Ernest Hemingway

'Ah, yes. A free man yet again. Divorced now from wife number four' Ernest thought to himself.

He made his way into town towards the general store.

"Hello. I'll take a pack of cigarettes please" he said to the clerk behind the counter.

He looked to his left to see a woman of small stature counting out money from her bag.

He turned to her and said, "And what brings you in today?"

"Just buying some pipe tobacco, not that it should matter to you" she said, turning away from him.

"For your husband?" he asked.

"Now why would you assume that I, a lady, couldn't be buying myself some pipe tobacco?" she asked.

He looked at her questioningly while paying the clerk for his cigarettes. "No reason, I suppose" he said. "I kind of like the idea of a woman with a pipe."

"Well that's beside the point because, yes, it is for my husband" she said.

"You sure you aren't just lying to me to shake me off? What's his name?" he asked.

"George" she said.

"Alright, well I'll leave you to it. Have a nice day" he said. He nodded to the clerk and left the store.

The woman continued about her business, buying the pipe tobacco as well as some brown fabric and a hat. She exited the store and turned to start home, but was almost immediately stopped by the man who had spoken to her inside.

"The name's Ernest Hemingway" he said, sticking out his hand for her to shake.

"Mary Ann, it's a... pleasure" she said. Perhaps if she indulged him a moment, she could be on her way.

"Mary Ann, you seem like an intelligent woman" he said.

"Thank you, I guess." She wasn't sure what he could possibly be getting at.

"Mary Ann, do you like literature?" he asked.

She laughed. Did she, Mary Ann Evans, like literature? What a question. "Perhaps I should have been more clear with you" she said. "My name is Mary Ann Evans."