A stuffy Scriptorium(n)

You are in a stuffy scriptorium. The walls are fronted by racks of pigeonholes crammed full of scrolls. A small ink-stained desk sits in the middle of the room, and a very severe looking chair is propped against it. Your nose is assaulted by the smell of dried ink and dry paper.
The only obvious exit is north.
A pale scribe with stains all over his clothes