As of the morning of the twenty-third of July, a note, secured and hanging on a stout measure of yarn, could be found attached to one of the handles of the oak doors at the Gilded Lily. The words, "For the proprietor, Stefan Berdini, ONLY" are written on the outside of the note in Councilor Treadwell's familiar, sloppy, heavy script. If unfolded, the following would be visible.
A copy of the same letter would also be sent by courier to Berdini's address, to be delivered to whatever servant or hand might take it within to the Councilor. Should none be there to see to the delivery, it would be returned to the toymaker's shop.
= = = = = =
Councilor Berdini,
I do hope that all is well with you; I have not heard from you in some time or seen you at the Meetinghouse. My interest at the moment, though, regards this fine structure, The Gilded Lily, with its monumental estate and its excellent furnishings. I have, with my key to the place as is part of my role as Councilor for Revenue and Finance, given the building a good, sound study and found it highly desirable--but, admittedly, empty of patrons and peoples on the day that I explored it.
With fear of being too blunt in my words, I fear that the structure is going to waste. If you but lack proper players to fill it, then I can easily find you those. If you feel that Myrkeners are unable to afford such extravagances as a good play or stage act, I can assist you in creating proper programs with fitting costs to see people into the seats and the standing room.
However, if it is interest that you lack in maintaining and carrying on with this grand building, then I seek to purchase the deed of it from you, so as to facilitate the growth of this establishment and the enjoyment of Myrken Wood's citizens here. We have a town of nearly three thousand and five hundred, sir. Quite a few of them would care to see this renewed and active.
Should you wish to add to your own coffers and relieve yourself of the burden of this establishment, I have written up a deed of contract for sale and left it in the players' dressing room, stage right, atop a neatly folded black vest, pair of trousers, and robe that all look suited for the part of a proper round-bellied judge. The matching skullcap for such attire was moved from where the letter now rests to sit upon a folio copy of Albrecht Durning's Comedy of Laws, dated 178. By the by, should you have made no time to read it, that piece is remarkably witty, making good satire of the town council of Colmouth at the time. It's delightful.
Before you fret of it, I properly locked all back. Nothing is missing; nothing is otherwise out of place.
Do let me know your intentions for this property and establishment, and soon. We have a regiment of visiting soldiers here, sir, and I wager they just might like some reasonable entertainment if they mean to stay long.
In deepest sincerity and humility,
Aloisius H. Treadwell
This twenty-third day of the seventh month, 214