Errol sat at his favorite cafe, enjoying a sandwich and a cup of coffee as he read. For a change, he read a newspaper. Skimmed, perhaps. He found himself more stumped by the crossword puzzle than he would have liked to admit. Its clues relied just enough on references that he didn't quite get.
He'd been in a more somber mood than usual since his talk with Beauty--which he supposed was saying something; he wasn't joyless by any means, but he was perfectly aware that he was more reserved than most--and being defeated by a simple puzzle was just enough to push him from somber to irritated. He pushed the pencil and paper away in disgust.
The irritation was temporarily abated by a sudden feeling of recognition as he caught sight of a rather bruised-looking man several tables over. This was a puzzle he felt more comfortable with. He was almost certain that he hadn't seen the man in Bookmark Books. At the Opera? He had been somewhat distracted that night. Perhaps.
He glanced back down to the table as he reached for his coffee, saw where he'd folded the newspaper over to avoid looking at the crossword puzzle, and saw the man's photograph (though less battered at the time it was taken) and frowned minutely. He picked up the paper again, this time paying closer attention, and began reading, every now and then flicking his eyes up at the man at the other table.
Well. This was interesting.
He put the paper down, examining the man openly.
((If this doesn't work, let me know and I can edit!))