Non-Weekend Fiction - The Book-Filled Room

I wrote this story based on a scene I remember from a movie.  The strange thing is, that the thing and movie I apparently remember do not seem to actually exist.  I felt ready for a break, but expect more of Oracle this weekend.

The room was small and dark, though not uncomfortably so.  Aside from a desk, chair and reading lamp, there were no other furnishings.  There were however books, hundreds of them all neatly arranged on built-in bookshelves that lined every wall interrupted solely by the door and a window with thick red curtains.

It would be difficult to determine who was startled more; Nicholas, at finding someone in his study or Macy by his unexpected appearance.

“I'm sorry, you startled me;” said Nicholas, his confusion apparent, “forgive my asking, but what are you doing here?”

“I'm not sure, this room, these books...  They all seem so familiar.”

“They should, you spent a lot of time in this room.”

This time, Macy was confused, “What do you mean, I've never been here before.”

Nicholas chuckled softly and spoke kindly.  “Aside from myself, I should imagine that no one has spent more time in this room than you.”

“What is it that you do in here, anyway?”

Nicholas held up a book, identical to the books on the shelves, “I write down the names and descriptions of animals in these tiny books.”

“What animals?”, asked Macy, still incredulous.

“All of them, I'm nearly finished.”

Macy couldn't shake the feeling of familiarity.  “How long have you been working?”

“Not long, only about 3,000 years.”

This time, it was Macy who laughed.  “Only 3,000 years, that seems like quite a long time for a man who looks 30.”

“You should talk, this used to be your job.”

As she wondered at this seemingly absurd notion, she was again startled by a peculiar, loud buzzing.  She inadvertently pressed the snooze button but then paused.  “What a strange dream.”  She thought to herself.