Snowed In: Naomi and Reeta

Chapter 2: Local Pub Break-1

Chapter 2: Local Pub Break

Naomi soon settles in to making an outline for her film project with the help of Kreistvieg’s suggestions of locations to include. Her concept is taking a clearer shape now, and Naomi is getting excited about the project’s possibilities. Before the first week has passed, she has a list of twelve locations, all within driving distance in the old Audi, which is there for the residents’ use. The only spot missing, which seems pretty elusive in this part of Finland, is a local pub.

Naomi persuades Lianna to put on trousers and explore with her, and they walk all over the area around the center, and then take a drive into Hameenkyro. Still no pub.

“How can there be no pub? I don’t get that. I mean, I know they make drinking as difficult as possible, but surely some thirsty Finn opened a pub somewhere?”

Naomi laughs. “Lianna, that makes sense to me. But where the f**k is this one lone pub?”

Lianna shrugs her shoulders with a grin. “Okay, let’s go back and ask every single person at the center for a suggestion. Marcel’s been hiking all over the place, maybe he has an idea.”

* * * *

This night is the weekly communal dinner—the perfect time to pick everyone’s brain. Naomi plunges right in as soon as the entrée is served.

“Okay, folks. I’m stuck. I need one more location to fill in my project. A local pub. Lianna’s been hanging with me and we’ve tried every possible suggestion. Nothing. I need a pub.”

Kari, a Norwegian painter, laughs. “Naomi, I think we all need a pub at this point. Personally, I feel a bit isolated here, as beautiful as it is.”

Sandy, a quiet young writer from Boston, grins at Naomi. “If you find one, I’m in for the road trip.”

Marcel appears in the doorway, late for dinner but immaculately dressed. “What’s up, beautiful people?”

Kari answers, “Naomi needs a pub. For her project.”

“Ahh, of course. A film location. Well…I have one!”

Everyone around the table reacts noisily.

Marcel holds up a hand for quiet.

“Yes, lovely artists. There is indeed a pub about six kilometers from here, hidden in the woods just behind the Chinese thrift store. I go there yesterday.”

“OMG! You’re shittin’ me! I’ve been to that shop twice…”

Marcel sits and begins picking at the salad at his place. “Yes, well, you must be more observant, Naomi from West Virginia. Shall we go after dinner?”

This plan buzzes around the table like a lively bumblebee. Everyone is in, including Kreistvieg.