[Seated at a nearby table, a middle-aged gentleman is poring over his own stack of books, albeit one considerably smaller. In contrast to the heavy tomes, he has a slim notebook waiting nearby, but it's been remained untouched thus far.
After a period of searching, he sighs deeply in frustration and sits back in his chair, rubbing his tired eyes beneath his spectacles. Allowing his gaze to wander, he finally sees the towering pile the next table over. He tilts his head, reading the spines as surreptitiously as possible, until a slim volume gives him pause.
He doesn't break his gaze even as he addresses the young woman.]
...I beg your pardon. Are you planning to read all of those?
no subject
After a period of searching, he sighs deeply in frustration and sits back in his chair, rubbing his tired eyes beneath his spectacles. Allowing his gaze to wander, he finally sees the towering pile the next table over. He tilts his head, reading the spines as surreptitiously as possible, until a slim volume gives him pause.
He doesn't break his gaze even as he addresses the young woman.]
...I beg your pardon. Are you planning to read all of those?