[Sodium_noir] Back to the store

[Bill]

> Dr. Lazarus, John Black
> Gotham Museum, Egyptian Wing

> Another rich socialite who want prominent people at
> he party so the people 
> of the city can oggle, Hiram thought. But, at least
> it could be a way to 
> wrangle more funding...
> 
> He turned back to John.
> 
> "Can I show you anything else?"

John smiled.  "No, thank you.  I appreciate your time,
though."  He said his good byes and left the museum,
hopping on his Indian he'd left by the front door. 
Great thing about owning a cycle was how easy one
could find parking.

It took about 45 minutes to get back to the shop,
taking a quick side stop at the bank to drop off the
check Jaguar had given him.

Mike's Place was busy.  There were the usual ameteurs
looking to bring down an enemy or make someone fall in
love.  Tommy was being as helpful as possible but it
could try one's patience to hear someone whine about
how much work was actually involved in casting spells.

There were also a few regulars stocking up on the
basics, asking about a specialized item or two.  One
wizard was in the process of choosing a set of tarot
cards, explaining that his had been destroyed.  Rather
than review the packaged, mass marketed, ones, he was
carefully examining the hand made decks, each card a
work of art, that were kept locked beneath a display
case for the serious practitioner.

"I remember getting my first deck.  I was young and so
excited.  I just knew which one I wanted, and when I
held it for the first time, I swear it was like my
Awakening all over again.  Anything was possible." 
His eyes were getting wet.  "And now they're gone."

Tommy smiled and tried to be sympathetic, but he
simply couldn't appreciate what the man was going
through.

John approached.  "My friend, I understand exactly how
you feel.  But if you dwell on their loss, they will
haunt you, like a lost lover, and it will poison any
new relationship you try to make."

The man nodded.  "You're right."  He wipped his eyes,
took out a handkerchef and blew his nose, and then
took another look, his first real one, at the display
case.

As he focused, John leaned into Tommy.  "Give it to
him, free."

Tommy looked startled.  "Some of these decks are
$10,000.  Are you nuts!?!"

John shook his head.  "The cards will have more power
if it's a gift.  I can't explain it.  Remember, the
customer comes first."

Tommy nodded, though he wasn't happy, and John took
his leave and went into the back.  He didn't see Mike
anywhere and frowned.

Picking up the phone, he dialed Matt's number.

"Evening, Brother.  Are we still on for tonight?"

tags

Yahoo Messenger: wconnell95
-------------
"I swear, as God as my witness, I thought turkeys could fly."
-- Les Nessman

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