• "Andre, must you always stare off into space like that? It really is quite annoying," my dear friend Faust asked me, annoyed to say the least.
    "Hmm?" was all I could reply with. I really hadn't been listening closely to what Faust had been saying to me.
    "Andre, really now, you must pay attention more," came the tired reply, "We aren't going to be able to finish this work if you keep dawdling."
    I nodded and set to work, and soon the scratching of quills on parchment paper could be heard throughout the small banking house. Within two hours we had finished with our work and soon were standing outside locking up.
    Turning to face my friend, I asked, quite simple, "Faust, since it does seem to be mostly my fault that we had to stay late. Why not privilege yourself with eating with me, in my home?"
    I knew that Faust wouldn't be one to turn down such a rare offer, and as predicted, he nodded silently. Following me closely, we made no small talk. It was a very silent and very peaceful walk to the mansion I call a home. That is, until Faust had to break the peaceful quiet with his constant pestering. It really did annoy me greatly.
    "Andre, it isn't everyday that someone is asked to eat dinner with you in your home. I heard that you allow maybe two or three people a year to even come into the house," he said to me surprised, if a little prideful, "My being your friend, I have never been offered such a rare treat such as this, to go into the "mysterious" home of Andre Bellemont."
    I smiled and answered quietly, "Hmm, yes, and for that I am truly sorry my dear friend. But, you must remember that even I have secrets that cannot be known to the world. So you must promise me, dear dear Faust, that what you see, hear, and even taste, must never leave the comfort of your mind."
    "Yes, yes, I promise. But really Andre, what is there that you wish to hide so much that you would cut yourself off from the comforts of the world? You really do seem lonely my friend, I fear that it isn't good for your health."
    I chuckled slightly and nodded, "You will see Faust, you will see."
    We walked on, and soon reached the rusted gates that led to my manor. When safely inside the house, I led Faust through the maze that is my home and into the dining room. I left him sitting at the table looking as if he was a child on Christmas day. It was very amusing, if not annoying to say the least; for when I came back Faust was as I had left him, in a state of pure shock and amazement. Really, why did everyone act the same way? My home was just an old, timely estate; passed down through the many generations of Bellemont men. Nothing too out of the ordinary.
    "Now, now Faust, there is really nothing too special about this room," I states as I put down a plate in front of him and sat down. Holding out a small wine glass, I asked," Brandy?"
    Faust took the drink from my hand and sipping it lightly, tasted his food. He looked at me questioningly and asked, "Andre, what exactly am I eating? I don't quite recall the taste. It's not bad, just different."
    "Yes, well this particular dish is Gourou," I answered while sipping my Brandy, a smirk pulling at my lips, "I found this recipe on my travels. It really is a rare delicacy indeed. The unborn fetus of a dog taken from its mother and cooked to perfection. It really is a wonderful tasting meat. Wouldn't you say so Faust?"
    I watched with slight satisfaction as Faust looked first at me, and then at his plate. Disgust oozing out of the very pores of his face.
    "Surely you jest Andre!" He said surprised, then added more respectfully, "I mean, no disrespect for you my friend, but still, this is a little bit farfetched, even for you.?
    "I guess. If you are finished Faust, then why don't we move on to the next course?" I asked with a hint of amusement tinting my voice.
    Faust just stared dumbly at me, and nodded his head. I smiled, no hint of maliciousness on my face, and walked out of the room. When I returned, I placed the dish in front of him and sat back down in my rightful place at the head of the table. Faust looked at me and then at his plate, a look of uncertainty on his face.
    "I feel that you will most certainly like this dish Faust," I said, grinning at him and folding my hands in front of my face, "I sure do."
    Faust picked up his fork and I could practically feel his heart racing with paranoia. It made me shudder with the excitement of what was about to happen. Soon, very soon in fact, my wait would be over and I would get what I truly wanted. Understanding. I gave him a reassuring smile and took a bite of my food. Looking at him as if saying, "Now you do the same."
    Faust took a cautious bite of his food, making small chewing movements as if trying to prolong the swallowing of the unwanted taste.
    "This is actually pretty good Andre, am I going to regret asking you what it is?" He questioned, looking at me with uncertainty.
    Taking his now empty glass and filling it with more Brandy, Faust himself not even realizing that he had drank the entire glass already, I answered and handed him back his drink, "This dish consists of an even rarer delicacy then before. This is Mortalis Humanus."
    Faust looked at me questioningly and then was quiet for the first time that night. I could tell he was working out what the name meant in his mind, and I waited patiently for it to set in. It always seemed to amuse me greatly when my guests came to that shocking realization of what, in fact, they are dining on. Their expressions will always be engraved in my memory, the expression of disgust, and then terror.
    "Surely you kid about this Andre! Who in their right mind would do such a thing?" He asked of me, shouting as he looked at me with new found horror.
    "Ah, but that is where you are wrong my dear friend. You know I do not jest about things like this. Yes, Mortalis Humanus when translated, means quite simply, human being. In my utmost opinion it is in fact the rarest and most delightful of all delicacies in the world. It is even said that eating the flesh of another human being will grant you immortality. What do you believe?"
    I smiled and took another bite of my food, keeping my eyes on Faust. I could see the realization in his expression as he came to the conclusion that he, Faust Monterverdi, was never going to make it out alive.
    "You see dear Faust, that once you try it, you are addicted. You crave for more of it. It gives you this unexplained rush. Daring to do what no one else believes to be humane. Do you understand that Faust? It is what separates the mortals from the immortals!"
    He took one look at me, as if seeing only a crazy man, and ran away. He ran on and on, soon getting himself lost in the maze that trapped the many that came before him. I smiled and taking my Brandy with me, we can't let such a drink as this to go to waste after all, and walked out of the room to wait for my prey. Soon this fun game would be over, and I would relish in the aftermath.
    Faust ran straight into the kitchen, where I was waiting for him. He stopped dead in his tracks, like a mouse caught between the wall and a hungry cat, and looked around at his surroundings. Animals and other things, if you know what I mean, hung from the ceiling and lay on the kitchen counters. And I stood there, waiting for him to make his move. I love that sense of power, knowing full well that you control a person's life.
    "You really are insane Andre! When people find out about this, they'll send you to the Asylum! The Asylum Andre, all you've worked for will be over and gone! Do you realize that?" He screamed, hysterics starting to set in.
    I loved it. None of the others had screamed at me, no, they had accepted their fate and had let me kill them quickly. I would have to play some more with my friend, he was just that special.
    "Hmm yes, but you see, they will never find out about it. You will never tell them, and surely you don't think I would tell them. So, you don't have to worry about ruining my life, dear friend. But sadly, I will be ruining yours!" I grinned and inched closer towards him, grabbing a spare butcher knife from the counter.
    "No! You can't do this to me Andre! I am your one and only friend! If you kill me..." he stopped, his voice seeming to falter with each step I took towards him.
    "What? What will you do Faust?! Come back and haunt me? No one ever understands what I do! You, you could have lived, I would have let you.You could have joined me in my secret. But you, my dearest friend, are just like the rest of them! You ran away from the fear of the unknown! You do not understand the power, the feel of knowing that you're doing something that is allowed neither in Heaven or Hell!" I took one last step, stopping in front of his now still and quiet figure.
    Raising the knife, I heard a whimper, a pitiful last cry from Faust. Smiling my insane smile, I said quite happily, "Good bye Faust, and remember, you area always my best and dearest friend in the world. Nothing can change that."
    As the clock struck the hour somewhere within the house, time seemed to stand still. A pitiful whine, and a sad and feeble, "Why Andre?" was the last thing I ever heard from dear dear Faust.
    Months went by and I found a new business partner. A quiet apprentice to take Faust's place by my side in the world. He was like the friend I never had. And the disappearance of Faust Monterverdi was never rightly explained. He was wrong in many cases, for you see; I made sure that no one would ever find out my deepest, darkest secret.
    "Mr.Andre, this really is a splendid dinner. Might I ask what I am eating? For it has a taste all its own." My new apprentice asked, as I had invited him for dinner to welcome his arrival.
    I smile and taking a sip of my ever present glass of Brandy, replied, "I guess you could say the dish was once, when it was breathing of course, a dear friend of mine."
    He smiled and thinking on it, asked, "Let me guess. An animal you befriended but it suddenly died?"
    I smiled again and grinned, "Yes, I guess you could say that."