Editing Commentary from the Seer of Enen en nullen (section)

==Neal's diner==
Why Neal's Diner Made the Cut

Random selected this iconic diner for two compelling reasons:

*The Food and Hospitality
Neal's Diner serves breakfasts that are nothing short of legendary. Random himself established an open tab, available to anyone savvy enough to tell the waitstaff, "Put it on Randy's tab." Laura Dearly—affectionately called "Laura Dear"—keeps the front of the house running smoothly, while Buddy Drummen, the chef extraordinaire, commands the kitchen. Buddy has a knack for crafting meals fit for Amberite appetites but demands to be addressed as "Sir"—a title wise patrons use if they value the quality of their meal. Buddy's cooking is so extraordinary that a knighthood seems in order should he ever grace Amber itself. Curiously, the identity of Neal remains a mystery.

*The Card Club
Beneath the diner lies an underground card club, a haven for those seeking a high-stakes game. Georgie Reno presides over the operations, while Random’s Amber Guard ensures order as bouncers dressed in sleek double-breasted silk suits. Cheating is rare and dealt with swiftly.

*A Neighborhood of Notables

Neal's Diner isn’t just a hotspot for food and cards; its surroundings tell their own stories. Across the street, a boarding house hosts Amber nobility and younger sons fulfilling their service terms. Nearby movie houses showcase everything from talkies to the burgeoning art of color film—even the peculiar charm of color-silent movies.

*The Tattoo Parlor: Bruno's Unique Niche

Just down the block is Bruno Sveldt's tattoo parlor, renowned for its unparalleled artistry. Despite his dubious character, Bruno’s talent shines, particularly in creating the iconic green disc and golden laurel wreath surrounding a white unicorn—a symbol of Amber’s elite. After a single regrettable incident of mockery toward an Amber Guard client, Bruno learned his lesson. Now, he works with unwavering precision, offering the design for free to anyone brave enough to request it. But when the ink is done, Bruno closes up shop, pours a stiff drink, and relives the memory of that fateful day.

*Neal’s Diner and its surrounding neighborhood form a microcosm of life in New Velri City—a blend of grit, glamour, and the timeless allure of Amber.

**Addendum
The Tale of Bruno Sveldt and the Amber Guard

In a conversation with Sergeant Garry Gavno—a Calro member of the elite Amber Guard and a frequent Pattern guardian—I learned the chilling tale of what became of Bruno Sveldt after his ill-considered insult.

The story begins with Constance Kieln, a formidable Dreanan man of the House of Brolic. Despite his unassuming first name, Constance was every bit the hardened warrior Dreanans are known to be. At the time, he was a sergeant in the Amber Guard, serving under Random as part of the detail stationed at the card club beneath Neal's Diner. He, along with several fellow Guardsmen, had visited Sveldt's tattoo parlor to adorn their arms with the iconic green disc, golden laurel wreath, and white unicorn symbol—a mark of their esteemed service.

Unfortunately, Sveldt, ignorant of the weight this emblem carried, found it amusing and made an ill-timed, offensive comment about the design. The insult did not go unnoticed. Later, when Constance returned to Sveldt's shop for additional tattoo work, the tattooist's irreverence surfaced again, and it was the last straw.

*An Amber Guard Lesson

Constance wasted no time. He dragged Sveldt directly to Amber and into the compound that the Amber Guard calls home. What followed was a harrowing "lesson" in respect, carried out by thirty members of the Guard under the leadership of Julian. They took Sveldt deep into the shadows—into realms where monsters dwell and danger is omnipresent.

For two long months, they subjected him to a relentless punishment. A healing band ensured he survived the ordeal, which included being torn apart by lions, tigers, and bears. The beasts ripped into him over and over, but the magic of the band kept repairing his wounds just quickly enough to prolong his suffering. The process continued for a month, an unrelenting cycle of agony and regeneration, until finally, they deemed the point sufficiently made.

When it was over, they returned him to his shop, his ordeal having spanned mere days in his world, thanks to the strange ebb and flow of time in the shadows.

*Lessons Learned

Bruno Sveldt emerged a changed man. His once-flippant attitude toward the Amber Guard transformed into abject deference. To this day, he produces their tattoos with a trembling hand, offers them free of charge, and refrains from asking unnecessary questions. Once his work is complete, he closes his shop early, nursing his lingering trauma with whiskey.

*Dreanan Resolve

As Sergeant Gavno put it, "Dreanans do not take insults lightly. They’re a dour bunch, but they get their point across." Constance Kieln’s actions left an indelible mark—not only on Sveldt but on anyone else foolish enough to consider disrespecting the Amber Guard.