Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mr. Morris’s hat sat beside Mina’s typewriter. As she dutifully typed away, assuring that viable information was apparent to everyone, her eyes pulled towards the hat.
After all, it was of a peculiar style and really quite large. But she could understand the appeal as, in this current moment, the sunlight was pouring in.

Mina was almost certain there was a flush to her cheeks from the heat of the sun.

From what she understood from American “dime novels,” western cowboys and such wear these large brimmed hats for the protection from the sun and any dirt or other particles that may plague their eyes or vision.

“Well”, she figured, “no one is around at the moment so it may not be so harmful to see what the fuss is about. Perhaps her productivity may even improve if she was not accosted so by nature.”

The men should not be back for a while, for they sought to receive tea while out.

Mina picked up Mr. Morris’s hat. Giddiness and shame bubbled inside her.
Her fingertips brushed the edge of the hat, admiring the flawless stitching.

As her thoughts were in discord, Mina found her hands reaching up to place the hat on her head.

“Madam Harker,” a slow, steady voice came from the doorway making Mina nearly jump from her skin, “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

Mina’s face, if not flushed before was certainly red now. Setting the hat back where it was, she quickly turned to see Quincey with an amused smile on his face. He leaned in the doorway, his arms crossed as though he’d stumbled across a play in the park.

“Mr. Morris—“ Mina hurriedly spoke. “I am terribly sorry. Oh, that is truly rotten of me, I just let my curiosity—“

“Woah there, slow down my dear.” Quincey approached her and took her hand. “Well, you see, there’s a rule when it comes to wearing the hat of another.”

Mina’s curiosity once again held the reins upon her. As her cheeks returned to a lively pink, she inquired, “Rules?”

Quincey nodded. “I don’t imagine it’s proper should I be the one explaining to a lady whose heart I don’t claim.”

Quincey took a step from her, now looking sheepish himself. He picked up his hat and fit it onto his own head with a grin.

“Oh but Mr. Morris, have I not won the hearts of all you men? Who work tirelessly alongside me to—“

“Madam Harker.” Quincey rubbed his face, almost appearing sad on his own. “That much is certainly true. But what I’m trying to dance around is, uh…Well, you see, it’s just not proper for me to tell a lady to whom I have not tied the forever-knot with, you see.”

Mina and Quincey’s faces drew into sheepish smiles.

“Ah, I see,” Mina said. She cleared her throat and stood. “Have you all returned, then?”

Quincey nodded slowly. “I was fetching my hat from in here. We’re all back.”

Mina nodded courtly, a stiffness upon her that was certainly recently manufactured. Nonetheless, she left the room to seek out her husband.

~~~

Later

Jonathan removed a pin from Mina’s hair as he watched her face in the mirror. He smiled as he removed another pin and saw her face slowly fade into contentment.

“Jonathan, dear,” she said suddenly.

“Mhm?”

“Mr. Morris and I had the most peculiar conversation today.”

“Did you?” He removed the final pin and Mina’s hair fell down her back.

His breath hitched momentarily, watching the beautiful brown hair billow out and nearly consume the perfect face amongst it.

Mina nodded slowly. “You see, and I worry to admit for I know my actions were less than desirable—anywho, Mr. Morris had left his hat on the table where I type up our documents.”

Jonathan nodded his understanding, setting the pins into a small porcelain dish fashioned like a clam.
His hands found their way back into Mina’s hair, gently sorting through the waves before him.

“And I was very curious as to the style. Admittedly too curious, you see. And I finally made to put the thing on—oh, Jonathan, it was really quite sunny and I understand that the American cowboys do wear such hats for this sort of purpose.” Mina looked at Jonathan’s face through the mirror expecting distaste but found an amused expression.

Feeling relief and in some ways frustration at herself for not assuming all would be so well with her husband, Mina continued.

“Well, then Mr. Morris seemed to have appeared! And my goodness, he said I should not place the hat on my head, for there is a sort of code or rule that would make him improper to share!”

Jonathan picked up the brush, with a curious furrow to his brow. “Oh? What such rule may do that? And to wear a hat?”

“I do not know. I fear he wouldn’t even say. Poor dear seemed more embarrassed than I was then.” Mina’s cheeks reflected the embarrassment of the moment.

“Oh my dear wife,” Jonathan said chuckling softly. “Allow your curiosity to be your mechanism of convincing him if you so choose. After all, you’re merely going to file such a rule away into that encyclopedic brain of yours, are you not?”

Mina now chuckled and nodded. “I suppose you are right there.”

Jonathan nodded and kissed Mina’s head before resuming his care of her hair. “Naturally, my dear.”

“It helps to be worldly and all-knowing,” Mina said.

“Such as the New Woman?” Jonathan quipped.

The moment Mina’s laugh filled the room, Jonathan couldn’t help but laugh as well.

“Yes,” Mina said finally. “The New Woman would certainly inquire about whatever improper things Mr. Morris from America has to share! Perhaps and then some.”

“Oh, Mina!” Jonathan laughed. “Did you intend to be so vulgar?”

Mina just smiled at Jonathan through the mirror.

~~~

“Mr. Morris,” Mina called after him, running from the porch to meet him before his departure.

He looked over at her then with a furrowed brow poised ready for something.

“What’s the matter?” His hand went to his hip.

“Oh, no, I’m sorry to frighten you,” Mina said with a slight breathlessness as she released her skirts back to the ground. “Rather, I had a question.”

“Oh,” he said, regaining his customary smile and good nature. “I suppose I’ll supply the answer if I can.”

Mina curtsied before him.

“Madam Harker, with all due respect, I suspect we are friends now, so no need to hassle with the formalities of those who aren’t so well acquainted.”

Mina smiled and nodded. “In that case, please do call me Mina. And, whilst we broach this topic, I must inquire about what you mentioned several days ago. This…rule regarding wearing the hat that does not belong to you.”

Quincey’s face pinkened. “My, my. Well, Madam—Mina. I do regret my previous statement as now that is a falsehood. I don’t have an answer I can give you, though I do have the answer myself. I hope you can pardon my ignorance.”

“Oh, Mr. Morris—“

“—Quincey.”

“Yes, Quincey. I beseech you to enlighten me. I don’t wish to be so foolish. Besides, you, as my friend, know now of my curiosity. I know this knowledge does not add to our holy mission but…Well, I suppose I have no incentive for gaining this information you feel so improper. But as I spoke to Jonathan, well, he did say I should so ask you.”

Quincey paused for a moment. “Jonathan would be all for you knowing,” he considered. “Alright, Miss Mina.”

“You’ll tell me?!” Mina’s eyes lit up and she took his hands in hers.

“I reckon I must. You wouldn’t let me hear the end of it, hm?” Quincey chuckled and squeezed her hands. “I must admit it may be shocking for a woman so good and so dutiful as yourself.”

“I am no saint, Quincey. Though I try to be the pious wife, such a position no longer exists in the biblical sense.”

Quincey nodded, looking down at Mina thoughtfully as she regarded him with eyes more receptive than a top pupil in a prestigious university.

Quincey released her hands and removed his hat. “You see, Mina, the cowboy’s hat is usually unique to him. There’s different types and preferences and it’ll last you a long time just so short of forever.”

Mina nodded her understanding, catching herself as she leaned further into the man whom she called upon for such knowledge.

She couldn’t help but observe every minuscule gesture and movement. The movement of his hands, rough with the years of work, exploring, and adventure but delicate all the same. The tall stance of a man confident in his being. The eyes that called upon experience but avoided Mina’s all the same.

“So it’s usually pretty noted whose hat is whose. So, uh, when someone else wears the hat of a cowboy…well it’s typically quite significant.”

“Yes, but what does it signify?” Mina inquired, catching herself playing with a frill on her dress and silencing her hands movements.

The way Quincey’s eyes looked to the sky and he relieved a sigh made Mina take pause. Her heart hammered in her chest, bounding with excitement for the knowledge that belongs somewhere far from the woman she is supposed to be.

With a lowered voice, Quincey said, “The saying goes ‘wear the hat, ride the cowboy.’”

For a moment Mina paused, her cheeks gaining color though she remained poised. “Does that mean, er—“

Quincey nodded. “It is In reference to—oh how to say this to you—the erotic dance in which a woman should…be atop the man, or—yeah.” Quincey chuckled nervously and rotated the hat in his hands.

Mina nodded stoically. “Yes. Thank you, er, Quincey.” She bowed then quickly retreated into the house once more.

~~~

“So?”

“So,” Mina said slowly, nodding, “he said it’s ‘wear the hat, ride the cowboy.’”

Jonathan’s eyes widened, though it seemed to be in an impressed manner. “Oh! Does he mean—?”

Mina nodded, “Yes. I asked.”

Jonathan’s laugh started slowly then he was really bent over in stitches, making Mina laugh all the same.

“Imagine—“ Jonathan choked out, wiping his eyes as he stood straight once more. “Imagine you had set it on this head of yours.”

“Oh Jonathan,” Mina said with a disproving tone despite the smile on her face.

“Oh, Mina,” he countered then held her shoulders. “I truly don’t think you would have minded.”

Mina’s expression fell to shock. “Wh—Jonathan?!” She pulled away and regarded him

Jonathan shook his head, now matching the seriousness Mina fronted.

“We are fighting evils that go beyond that of the polyamorer! Surely if our wretched opponent can exist and access happiness, we can too. And if it shall obtain such good fortune and satisfaction then the rules which the rest of us abide by must be fabricated by other forces and not those that are just, right, and holy. How may it be that that fiend shall claim the many wives whom he has abused and uses and sics upon the unwilling? Being so made of love is not the same—“

The doorbell cut the conversation.

“I don’t mean to have shocked you so, Mina dear. I just have had a lot of time to think. Do forgive me if I have blasphemed against you. I only wish to…perhaps widen the horizons of this world that wishes to restrain us to such flaccid morality.”

Mina nodded slowly, her eyes in a flurry of thought. “Don’t keep work waiting, dear. No need to apologize. I shall do the theorizing for myself and return to this conversation later.”

Jonathan nodded. “The law unfortunately does not wait for me. But I implore you to not do so either. I love you, Mina.”

“I love you too, Mr. Harker.” Mina smiled and straightened his tie.

~~~

A week later

“Where did the recipe for this meal come from?” Dr. Seward asked, filling his glass with more wine.

“I scrounged through plenty a recipes in the library. Though the idea was all Professor Van Helsing’s,” Mina said brightly.

“A meal from the America will give the American the strength needed for continuance,” Van Helsing said.

“Well, then thank all three of you and then some for it.” Dr. Seward smiled and raised his glass.

After dinner, Mina set the centerpiece and knit runner back on the table. As she pondered whether she should switch it out, she felt a presence behind her in the doorway.

“I don’t know how you do what you do Mina,” a voice belonging to one such Quincey Morris said.

Mina chuckled and nodded slowly. “Being of the teaching sort, I must know how to utilize a library system. So it was not so difficult as you may think.”

“I mean to say, that meal tasted like home. Not just America.”

“I must agree,” Arthur said, collecting his hat and coat. “I recall being out one day with Quincey and Jack, getting a hot meal not so different from this.”

Mina’s smile was one of unrelenting graciousness.

Quincey nodded happily. “As much as I cherish the cooking from around here, my heart is in Texas all the same.”

“I never knew beans until the American West,” Arthur added. “I must be going now. Good evening.”

“See ya Art.”

“Good evening, Arthur.” Mina turned to Quincey as Arthur left. “You know, I was quite worried about my choice. I have never been to America but I know where you hail from and hoped to pay homage. You really don’t just flatter me?”

Quincey shook his head. “It was perfect. And I already gave my thanks to the cooks.”

Mina leaned back against the table, pressing the heels of her palms to it, lest she shall act on the voice that has been resonating within her for…well, for a while now.

“Would you tell me about where you’re from?” Mina asked.

Quincey nodded happily. “I live a little near this watering hole. So I get some great views. There’s some rolling hills, great grasses for grazing, for galloping off. But if you go far enough west from my plot of land you’ll hit the true desert. That’s where it gets into the highwaymen and the Wild West reputation given to us.”

“And did you have animals?” Mina’s eyes scanned the man before her. He leaned against the doorframe, his arms casually crossed over his chest, giving all of such an emphasis of their muscle strength and strength.

“Plenty of sheep, a few horses. And about 50 head of cattle.”

“And did you go to church?” Mina stood back up fully and placed her hands at the start to her skirt.

“When there was one near me and my expeditions,” Quincey said and Mina could see the shift in his mannerisms. His hands made to straighten his already straight belt.

“And do you think of yourself as a pious man?” Mina stepped forward, looking up at the mighty man.

Quincey nearly gulped as he then stood up fully himself, though those mighty shoulders seemed to droop before Mina.

“I, uh, imagine myself to be as good as I can be. Though no man is…perfect.” He adjusted his vest.

“Do you imagine me as a pious woman, Mr. Morris?” Mina stepped forward once again.

“I—yes-“ Quincey lifted his head as Mina nearly closed the distance between them. His chest rose rapidly and he released a shaky breath.

Mina pressed her body against his. “I imagine, Mr. Morris, you must do more praying.”

Quincey sighed and closed his eyes. The warmth between the two of them grew.

Mina reached up and removed his hat. She took a step back, watching him. He opened his eyes and watched as she set the hat on her head.

“Good god,” he groaned. He went to her and scooped her up. “You’re wanting for a trip, huh?”

Mina nodded. “I know now the rule, do I not?”

“I reckon you do.”

~

The following day

Mina sat at her typewriter on the porch. As the sun streamed down, she was protected by the brim of Quincey’s hat.

Professor Van Helsing and Dr. Seward strolled by in deep conversation. Mina, though aware of their presence focused in on her work dutifully.
Professor Van Helsing let out a giggle upon passing by Mina and Dr. Seward looked to him. He raised an eyebrow but Professor Van Helsing waved a hand dismissively, immediately continuing their conversation.

Chapter Text

“Hark! Finally, the package has been received,” Van Helsing announced, entering from the foyer with a crate.

“My god, are you sure it’s the beverage? That is a large box.” Jonathan eyed the thing suspiciously.

“Yes I am positive,” Van Helsing said, setting the parcel down onto the spot on the table cleared off by Arthur.

“They do say everything is bigger in Texas,” Dr. Seward said, shrugging.

“Amen,” Quincey added, getting some laughter from the group.

At the same moment, Lucy and Mina returned from a stroll, chatting away carelessly. Van Helsing waved them into the study.

“What is this?” Lucy inquired, motioning politely to the box.

Mina scanned the room, seeing her favorite people centered around this mystery box.

“This is the treat your dear old man has been awaiting of the anxious nature. But never mind such anxieties, for here he is—the drink of the American!” Van Helsing and Dr. Seward pried open the crate.

After fishing out plenty of paper that kept the glass intact, the men passed a bottle each to everyone present.

“Oh it’s only proper if we save these for when we sup or dine. I don’t want to set our stomachs ahead of a good meal,” Mina said, a gentle frown pulled at her face.

“You make a good point, such as always Madam Mina. It shall not be of injury to anyone to feast for a long night of celebration and study.” Van Helsing nodded.

“Not so much as a sip?” Dr. Seward asked.

“Oh, John,” Lucy said with her laugh of spring’s flora, “do not be so impatient. To wait longer is to cherish the final moment.”

Dr. Seward smiled and bowed before her.

“Then feast we shall,” Arthur declared. “Let me see to my people.”

“Oooowee,” Quincey cheered, “this is a night for the books in the fixing.”

Mina and Jonathan exchanged a look with a short string of laughter attached.

~~~

“Is it then time, Madam Mina, that we shall do as the American say and ‘crack him open?’” Van Helsing raised his bottle of Coca Cola with a large grin.

“I do suppose we have had a wondrous meal. A dessert afterwards should only be customary and I am certain this shall be a treat!” Mina then raised her bottle in response.

With vivacity of children being given sweets, the group opened their bottles. The cacophony of clinks seemed to banish any ill-willing spirits that may have lingered.

“And now we shall drink to our mission, drink to our health, drink to the Americans, and drink to us all!” Arthur announced with an enthused smile.

At once, everyone took their first swig of the Coca Cola.
The brief silence was a comical interruption from the cheers and laughter that rang out before.

The silence was first broken by Jonathan.

“I must admit,” he said slowly, letting the flavor settle across his tongue, “this is a peculiar taste. Though one I am fond of.”

“I don’t yet know how I feel about this,” Mina said apprehensively but taking another sip all the same.

“I for one really enjoy it,” Dr. Seward chirped happily, taking down some more with a smile to his face.

“Such is why you are my dearest pupil, friend John. The flavors that he give us in this little bottle. Fascinating!” Van Helsing nearly cheered.

~~~
Somewhere between 5-10 minutes later. (The group certainly does not know the time frame here.)

“Mein gott,” Van Helsing exclaimed. “How may it be that the friends of friends here now are all such geniuses?!”

Lucy giggled as she and Mina rolled out a map.
“When Mina was studying, I would often be in the rule of pupil for her. So when we studied geography, mother found us a cartographer!”

Mina nodded enthusiastically. “Jonathan dear,” she waved him forward, “yes, the chess pieces are to be set out here, here, and there to begin.”
She pointed out to areas on the map marking proper points for their newest plan.

“Yes, yes,” Dr. Seward chimed in quickly, “what should we make of the animal keeper, then? With the wolf?”

“Oh how right you are dear boy!” Van Helsing clapped his hands.

“I’ll fetch the typed out manuscripts,” Quincey said and ran off happily into the study.

“And I shall get the schoolteacher chalk board!” Arthur bounded off after Quincey.

Van Helsing set his empty bottle of Coca Cola on the edge of the map.

“Oh Mina, dear,” Lucy said, seizing the woman’s arm, “should we not create us a new map in entirety for our plans? This one is not made so for this purpose. It can only be a blueprint.”

“That’s a great idea,” Dr. Seward chimed in.

“Yes but what would be marked as so important?” Jonathan took another sip from the Coca Cola bottle he’d been nursing to savor.

Quincey and Arthur nearly ran back in with the supplies they’d collected.

“I imagine we shall leave the master planning up to the professor,” Mina said. “After all, it is because of him we shall all stand here together today.”

“And for that I am eternally grateful,” Quincey remarked, slapping Dr. Seward on the back.

Van Helsing at once took up a piece of chalk and began writing furiously on the chalkboard.

“Friend John,” he said, “be you so kind to this old man and serve me as a stand? I must get some locations and dates down with the accuracy Madam Mina documented.”

John nodded, taking up one of Mina’s paper stacks and moving to Van Helsing.

“We need some music for such a moment,” Arthur said suddenly. “All these brains at work need some movement.”

"Oh! Brilliant idea,” Lucy said, pulling her attention from the map.

“Mina dear,” Jonathan said whilst placing his hands on his hips, studying the map intently, “do you imagine us as having a name for a project such as this?”

“Oh my,” Mina said, sipping her Coca Cola. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“I vote for the words ‘Vampire’ and ‘destruction’ to be part of that,” Quincey said, widening his hands across an invisible advert.

Arthur and Lucy successfully selected music for the occasion, so Mina raised her voice a bit offering: “‘Utter Vampiric Destruction for the Betterment of the Good?’”

“I like it, but we need more….hmm I don’t know what,” Jonathan said.

“Friend John,” Van Helsing said, wiping sweat from his brow finally turning fully away from the chalkboard that was now nearly covered.

“Yes?”

“Might I speak to you from the hallway?”

“Yes, of course,” John said, setting down Mina’s transcripts and following Van Helsing into the hall.

“Well Van Helsing would be the man to ask, I’d imagine,” Quincey suggested. “I mean he’s got us all on the lingo and what have you on the topic.”

“Yes, Mr. Morris makes a strong point—“Looking to the spot where Van Helsing and John once stood Mina paused momentarily—“Where is the professor anyhow?”

“Oh,” Lucy giggled. “He’s gone off with John. I’ve been watching the mad scribbles of his. Quite the scientist he is, no?” Lucy stared wide-eyed at the chalkboard, every inch packed with words and numbers.

“He’s done all of that in mere moments, it seems!” Arthur remarked, stepping up beside Jonathan and Mina who now looked up close at the writing.

“I couldn’t tell ya what that said even if the ol devil himself was at my heel, sweet girl,” Quincey remarked to Lucy, taking a slow sip of his Coca Cola.

~Meanwhile~

“Friend John, I worry so I have an issue of the internal clock, tick tick ticking off beat. The affliction of the heart. I want not to call upon the worries of the others. Not on so nice a night. Might you check him who give you education to do so?”

“Why, of course,” John said quickly, taking Van Helsing by the arm to the room where his equipment shall rest. “Lie on the sofa would you?”

“Thank you a hundred times over,” Van Helsing said, assenting to John’s care instructions.

~~
“I’m going to check in on the doctors,” Mina told Jonathan.

“Do you worry? I’ll come with,” Jonathan said, taking Mina’s arm.

She smiled and allowed Jonathan to lead them out of the den.

Just before they were going to search for Dr. Seward and Van Helsing, the former met them in the hall.

“Oh hello Mr. and Mrs.” John nodded to them then scanned their faces. “Is everything alright?”

“We should ask that of you,” Mina said. “Is the professor alright?”

“Oh,” John said chuckling. “He’s had too much to drink for the evening it seems. He is asleep, presumably for the night.”

“Well, in such a case, let us return to our festivities,” Jonathan said with a smile.

Dr. Seward and the Harkers came back to Art and Quincey helping Lucy leap off a chair in a beautiful form.
Once grounded again, she began to dance around with the two men.

Jonathan at once began to clap to the beat of the music. John soon chimed in.
Mina merely watched, transfixed by the beauty Lucy emitted and the joy that radiated from all around her. Mina finished the last bit of her Coca Cola just as Lucy drew her in.

“Come, Mina! Dance how we once did with the other girls!”

With a few more playful nags, Mina relented and joined in on the dancing.

By the time the song ended, Dr. Seward had fallen asleep in a chair in the conjoining room, Lucy was exhausted, and Mina and Quincey were laughing near the fireplace over Quincey’s attempts to make shadow puppets.

Jonathan and Art became engaged in conversation that was evidently quite dull to Lucy, as she went and sat beside Dr. Seward and did not stand up again for the night.

It only came to Arthur’s attention when Mina pulled him to it. “Your poor wife is absolutely exhausted. Be so kind as to set her to bed? You know her habits best.”

“Poor creature,” Art said, setting down his empty bottle. “The little dear has really tired herself this time!” Arthur dutifully picked her up and carried her off to her room.

“I am beginning to feel the night pulling at my own eyes,” Jonathan said frankly. “Should we play a card game or something of that nature?”

“Perhaps it is time we retire too. There is no need in prolonging the inevitable slumber our bodies may require.” Mina looked between Quincey and Jonathan.

“That’s alright with me. I’ve got no intentions so much as heading out on a nice walk.” Quincey nodded firmly, setting his hat on his head.

“The night air is crisp. Do make sure to bring a coat, dear fellow,” Jonathan said.

“The cool air may bring me some joy. I have danced up the heat of a bonfire tonight,” Quincey said.

“Take care nonetheless,” Mina said. “If you shall catch a cold I should not make you the American chili recipe I have been given by a friend visiting New York!”

“You know just which strings to pull Miss Mina,” Quincey bowed his head. “Good night to you both.”

~~~

Van Helsing emerged from the guest room. The house was curiously silent. He came across Quincey and John slumped together in the den’s connecting room chairs. No one else stirred, thought it approached 10 A.M.!

~~

As Jonathan settled into his chair at the table for tea, Van Helsing passed around the biscuits he had made freshly.

“These have all of the good ingredients we all so much need after such a joyous, taxing night,” Van Helsing said.

“Why, this smells absolutely delicious, professor,” Lucy hummed with excitement.

“Truly,” Arthur said. “I’m not certain what came across us so furiously from last night’s dinner. Nonetheless I am so happy to accept this near noon tea.”

“We all awoke late then?” Dr. Seward inquired.

The group agreed.

“How quare,” he said quietly. “And no one is worse off? Any wounds to the flesh?”

“I for one feel fine, just thirsty,” Jonathan said, taking up his cup of tea.

The rest of the group then agreed to feeling fine.

“What think you, friend John?” Van Helsing inquired with a gleam to his eye.

John smirked and shook his head. “Nothing just yet. But I should like to know what you think?”

“In this instant, I wish to check the label of our evening’s beverage. He may hold a piece to the puzzle we need.” Van Helsing shrugged.

“Wait, what do you mean?” Arthur inquired, an attentive sharpness to his tone.

“I fear not for our health, good man. Instead I should wonder why we all, so lively and bright, should move such as a constellation at the end of his season. We all had so much of the energy then just so fast, it leaves us.” Van Helsing rose.

Now everyone watched him. Dr. Seward stood as well. With a tense apprehension, everyone else watched as they took up a Coca-Cola bottle and looked closely upon it.

“I imagine that should be our culprit,” Dr. Seward said before breaking out in such hearty laughter, the group’s tension dissipated.

Soon Van Helsing was leaning on the table, laughing with such veracity, he wiped tears from his eyes.

“And just what is the meaning of this?” Lucy inquired after a moment.

The slightly amused, slightly concerned faces of the rest of their friends finally came across to the doctors.

“You see, the Coca Cola is a derivative of the Coca plant. The Coca plant can produce very powerful stimulants,” Dr. Seward explained. “Unknowingly, we have to ourselves the drugs one shall give to one of my patients for treatment or something as such.”

“You mean to say we all, then,” Arthur spoke slowly, “were high?”

“Oh my friend, Art, we who all drink such a drink, were so as you say high,” Van Helsing said, wiping more tears of laughter yet.

A moment of silence passed before laughter erupted once again. Everyone present took such humor to heart.

“I hate to say, I should be more surprised from the I hail from,” Quincey said.