30 Day Hannibloom - 21 Cooking

"I'm simply saying the ending was not well interpreted," Hannibal said, putting down his wineglass. "I'm not saying it wasn't enjoyable."

"Yes," Alana half smiled. "Because all of the kids in the audience would want to see the three main characters die tragically."

"It's closer to the literature itself," Hannibal said simply. "And I do praise them for staying close to the darker tone of the book."

"I noticed," Alana said, her smile growing in full. "You were smiling quite a bit. And here you said you couldn't appreciate Disney."

"I was pleasantly surprised," Hannibal said, walking over to her, placing a glass of beer next to a small pile of potatoes which Alana was carefully pealing. "They still could have done without-"

"Watering down the material, I know, I know," Alana said. "But think of it this way, it'll get a lot more children interested in reading the book when they get older."

"No reason they couldn't read it now. I'd read it by the time I was ten," Hannibal said, watching Alana pause to take a sip of her beer, her expression clearly showing a love for the taste.

"Hannibal, most ten-year-olds are engaged in "Harry Potter," She said. "And you should give those books a chance too. Still, give them a few more years before they read the works of Victor Hugo."

"Children are far more intelligent than one might believe," Hannibal said. "The film seemed to think so… to an extent."

Alana couldn't hide her smile as she remembered Hannibal grimacing every time the gargoyles came on screen, as though a little part of his intellectual side was being tortured every time one of them spoke.

"So…?" Alana asked. "Your conclusion?"

Hannibal paused for a moment, as though about to give a great declaration. "While lacking in properly representing the text, it was clear the company devoted itself to keep the tone and themes of the book continuously present. I was not at all displeased."

"So," Alana smiled.  "I can go into work tomorrow and tell everyone Dr. Hannibal Lecter enjoyed a Disney film?"

"Would that be such a stain on my reputation?"

"No," Alana said. "But I'm sure a good deal of money would exchange hands."

"Indeed?"

"I should hope so," Alana said. "Will bet me twenty bucks you wouldn't make it through the first ten minutes."