Strangers

The battered front door banged open and a dripping, cursing figure hurried in, leaving a wide trail of water behind. Outside, rain slashed down in sheets and pattered merrily against the pavement. The newcomer was quick to push the door closed, though he uttered a few more choice words when he discovered it did not shut securely.

He did not spend much time worrying over it, however. Shaking himself out of his sodden greatcoat was a far more pressing matter.

The redcoated figured slouched at a nearby table smirked broadly. "Rainin', is it?"

"Oh aye, a little," was the reply, as the newcomer finally succeeded in freeing himself from his greatcoat. Underneath it, his short-tailed red jacket was dark with damp. He gave the greatcoat a brisk shake, spattering rainwater everywhere and adding to the puddle in which he stood.

Then, sweeping off his hat, he looked around properly. "This ain't the Two Swans."