What is it about autumn that makes you yearn to travel? It was the time of the year, when roasted chestnuts came to mind. Autumn was when Girl would walk on the streets carpeted with vivid colors. And then, the air turned clearer with a touch of “regret” that the Girl could not quite fathom. Autumn was the time when Squirrel Girl longed to be away—she needed to run from “regret.” So, Girl planned a trip to Amsterdam. Yet, Wind had something else in mind. Wind never obeyed her wishes. Feeling Girl’s desire, Wind whisked her instead to New Amsterdam—the New York City. Once in New York City, Wind placed Squirrel Girl at the entrance of The Campbell bar.

Dazed, Squirrel Girl felt she was transported back in time as she entered The Campbell. Lucky Ducky had been picked up by Wind as well and stood next to her shyly but beaming happily. First thing that captivated Girl was the grand fireplace. She was not sure if there was a fire crackling with joy inside the fireplace. If fire was lit, it would have danced indeed for there was music flowing all around. Musicians were playing jazz that filled the vast ceiling. Unwillingly, Squirrel Girl swayed entranced. She stepped in cautiously. Girl was fearful Wind would whisk her away again. She feared that she was merely dreaming. She looked at the patrons of the bar and wondered if they were real.

Suddenly, when a dashing gentleman asked what she would like to drink, she replied, “The Widow’s Kiss please if I may.”

Hearing her requesting for a drink with a funny name, Lucky Ducky giggled. It was so like Squirrel Girl to come up with strange names.

However, there was no astonishment on the face of the gentleman who appeared like the Lord of the magical bar. Instead of a bar, The Campbell appeared more like a nobleman’s study with its majestic-looking fireplace. But then, once Squirrel Girl glanced at the stain glass window behind the bar, she thought she was inside a cathedral. It was beyond breathtaking.

The kind gentleman—let us call him Fionnbharr—said, “We are out of that, but we will make something lovely for you.”

Girl felt radiant joy. Fionnbharr was most gracious. She had to be dreaming. She quietly pinched her face. Had she turned into one of the princesses in the The Twelve Dancing Princesses? Was she to dance all night until she tattered her shoes? Perhaps, but instead, she was meant to drink away and sing until the customers of the bar gave her the glare? The elegant New Yorkers were rather baffled by her. She had been brought in by Wind, and thus, she was out of place. The Campbell had never hosted Squirrel Girl before. But then, that was the magic of The Campbell, it called in the unexpected beings.

Eventually, two bar stools were found for Squirrel Girl and Lucky Ducky. They sat and looked at the tall and strong bartender—let us call him Valerian—concocting potions for his customers. Squirrel Girl was most fascinated by Valerian. He was like a magician for he made drinks with a set of colorful vials that looked like potions. Girl’s eyes glittered. Valerian shook his potions as if they were like Maracas instruments. With the arms like Thor, he shook them in a pinch and presto, the drinks were ready for the waiters to take. With the aid of Valerian’s assistant, Coffee, the drinks churned out one after another. Watching them was captivating for Girl for the pair were in perfect sync.

“How is the drink?” asked Valerian.

Need he ask? It was divine.

“Just ask if you want me to make you something good.”

“Will do,” smiled Squirrel Girl.

Certainly, Girl drank and allowed herself to become drunk with the magic of the place. Regrettably, it was time to depart. In a place of dream, time was nonexistent. You could not tell that time flowed. Before she knew it, Girl saw that their shoes were worn.  Besides, their coachman had turned into a rat and dashed hoping to scare the drunk damsel, trying to grab an empty taxi as she tottered on the streets of New York City.

And while the lovely girl swayed as if she was doing the “funky chicken,” a lone lady in a corner said, “You should never get that drunk.”

With eyes already full of dreams. Squirrel Girl said her adieus to the kind Fionnbharr. He hoped that she would return.

“Tell Wind to bring you to this place again … The Campbell will wait for you.”

With her obsidian eyes full of wonder, Girl said, “Tell Campbell to wait for me.”

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