Alice has been shown into the library for an audience with Lord Wragg. She admires the rows of volumes, wondering how his lordship has managed to write so many books. Meanwhile, Lord Wragg hopes the latest outbreak of Reindeer Syndrome is nothing more serious than a Christmas hangover. This unusual picture has been produced in response to a special request to see Alice with reindeer antlers.
Happy Christmas Everybody!
A fun image. Alice, reviewing the books has apparently distracted her from the fact that she has grown antlers, or perhaps she's been the butt of a Christmas practical joke. Whatever the actual situation, it's caused some consternation for Lord Wragg (the elder), who is wondering what
@Barbaria1 spiked the punch with, as much as anything else. There's been a lot to deal with this Christmas, what with
@Kathy being pregnant, and he simply could not watch Barb every minute. As to how Lord Wragg has managed to write so many books, we need only remember that Cruxton Abbey exists on it's own special plane of reality and a lot of very interesting things are possble, Reindeer Syndrome being one of them. A lot of books in the library seems simple by comparison.
The image is well formed as usual for Bobinder, with careful attention being paid to ensuring all characters are appropriately lit and colours are matched and blended. Focus is on Alice in the centre of the room with the close-up of Lord Wragg (here played again by the late Peter Cushing, who is having quite the posthumous career, both in Star Wars and Cruxton Abbey) nicely defocused for depth of field effect. I can't quite place which photo series Alice is from, but it's well suited to the sunshine coming in from the windows. If I had one criticism (and it's just a fun one), it's that Lord Wragg seems to be suffering a bit of consternation that Alice with her antlers has distracted him from the destruction of Alderaan.
I wonder what the butler is thinking as he leaves the library? Stiff upper lip and acceptance as befitting his station in the household … regardless of what he may be thinking privately?
It is not the job of butlers to question or criticise the appearance or habits of his Lordship or his Lordship's household or guests. He has discharged his duties in showing Alice into the library, and will now go back to his Butler's Pantry to polish the silver for lunch and have a glass of Port. A naked girl with antlers on her head is hardly something to cause much distress, as long as she doesn't get tangled in a chandelier or scratch the wallpaper. However, given Bob's unswerving devotion to Alice, the butler may stop at the billiard room, where Bob is trying to snooker Jollyrei (not an easy feat, by any standard), to inform him that Alice has actually manifest herself. One doubts that a couple of antlers will dampen Bob's enthusiasm for her.
