Rude (Choose Your Own Adventure)

Chapter 8

Hannibal's house is huge and gothic. He answers the door, wearing a different suit and a burgundy shirt, with a pale blue tie. 'You are on time,' he says. 'How considerate. And those chocolates are exquisite. Exactly what I would choose myself.'

'I suspected that you were a man of consummate taste,' you say, allowing him to take your coat and admiring the harpsicord in the foyer. 'Do you play?'

'Yes, I compose. Perhaps you would like to hear a piece, after dinner?'

'I'd love to. Maybe you can play me a cover of "Stairway to Heaven."'

Hannibal raises his eyebrows quizzically at the joke. He appears to consider for a moment, and you hold your breath, feeling as if your fate is hanging in the balance.

 But then he smiles. 'Won't you come through to the dining room?'

The dining room is cobalt blue, with planters of herbs along one entire wall. The table is glossy and set with exquisite china, decorated with a centrepiece of fruit and flowers, ivy erupting from it in tendrils. There's something a bit gothic about it.

'Would you care for an aperitif?' Hannibal asks you. 'It helps to whet the appetite.'

If you say 'Great! Gotta beer?' got to Chapter 10.

If you say 'Yes please, I'd love a glass of champagne,' go to Chapter 11.