My First Package from the Rabbit Room

It’s been two years since I was introduced to the Rabbit Room, but I placed an order for the first time a few weeks ago. I started to get excited when I received texts of “diligent minions” and “items of great and terrible import” being “dispatched from a clandestine lair.” I was so drawn in by the excitement that I proudly imagined my hand painted “No Admittance Except on Party Business” sign would be admired and deeply appreciated by said minions from the Rabbit Room. It wasn’t until several hours later that I was brought back to Monday reality that the minions were probably standard postal workers. There was a 50/50 chance of them appreciating the sign or them thinking that it actually meant “No Admittance.” On the chance that the postal worker was in the second percentage, it could mean no package or package left outside to the elements on this overcast day, which was a sobering thought.

Then, as I left work, the thrilling words, “a parcel has been deposited!” I tried not to speed home, wondering if I would start reading immediately or if I should at least finish the current books on my nightstand.

Upon arriving home, I checked my mailbox. No letters and no parcel. There was no parcel on the porch either. Now, enchanted carriage houses can be hard to find if you aren’t looking for them (and sometimes even for postal workers who are) but I must admit, I was a little deflated. I looked around in case the minion/postal worker had been clever and hidden it (unlikely and unneeded since, again, carriage houses are hard to find even when you are looking). Nothing but some dead leaves and living bugs.

One more possibility remained that needed to be explored…the main building. I took my keys, my phone, and a small bit of hope. Back across the dark parking lot and to the front door of the main building, where a soft lamp warmly glowed in the entry hall. There, just a few feet away on the other side of the glass door, propped up against the old-fashioned inset mailboxes, was a package. I pushed the latch, but as I leaned in eagerly, the door didn’t budge. Fie! It was past dusk and my older neighbors had long since locked everything up. I racked my brain for the code and tried a combination of numbers which had a familiar ring. It blinked red. I timidly knocked, hoping someone might be standing in the hallway within earshot. Nobody. I looked mournfully at the package again and wondered how long I’d have to wait for someone to walk by. Probably until someone took their dog out at midnight. I might have to just come back in the morning…but there was one other way.

I went to the service entrance, carefully descending the twisting, crumbling stair to the basement door. I did have a key to this! After several attempts of not turning the bolt far enough, I was in. Two steps later, I tripped on the uneven concrete. Phone torch on. I now carefully proceeded through the labyrinth, a step up, a few steps down, left, right, right, left, the only sound a steady dripping. I came to a narrow staircase in the center of the labyrinth and made my way up. Opening the door at the top, I was now in the warm, charmingly decorated hallway I had looked at from the outside a few minutes ago. I rushed to the package. It was indeed addressed to me from the Rabbit Room! I tucked it under my arm and exited by the front door…only to realize that the door I’d been trying so hard to unlock from the outside would not lock from the outside either! I contemplated leaving my neighbors to the mercy of passing brigands for just one night, but nobly decided against it. I sighed, entered the front door again, locked the deadbolt from the inside and returned to the narrow basement stairway. I moved more quickly this time, fearing some fiend would come out from their lair at the last moment and take my precious treasure wrapped in manila. Outside the basement, after much fuss to relock the door, I went back up the winding stair, then on the home stretch and back through my own gate (“No Admittance” and all).

Perhaps I’ll put the kettle on and start a book tonight now that I’ve had my adventure.