CHAPTER 160: It Takes All Sorts

"I'll never forgive the Landgraabs for what they did to me!  Brainwashing, I mean, just what are they  protecting?  And they probably did something to Action as well; giving him amnesia.  I'm angry, Barbara!" said Jeremy.

"Of course you are and I'm so glad you're better now.  I understand you're angry and bitter but please don't do anything stupid!  Why don't you quit your job at the Landgraab Corporation and return to Dewey, Cheatham & Howe?" replied Barbara.

"Or...." began Jeremy.  Barbara's heart sank a little.  She could tell that he was formulating a more complicated idea here.

"...I keep going at LC, free from their grasp BUT they'll think I'm still brainwashed!  That way I can get more insider information.  Not a bad plan, eh?"

"Well, you know I don't like it when you take risks like this..." said Barbara.

"And you know that Landgraab will stop at nothing...who knows what's really going on?  I have to be the eyes and ears on the inside."

Barbara sighed.  "I guess there's some logic to your plan but DO be more careful than last time...and no trips to strange basements, OK?"

An hour later and both of them were at work.  Magnolia Promenade was particularly busy this morning and business this week at Pack's Clothing had been brisk.

Barbara had a lot of stocktaking to do at the shop.  Business was busy the other day and she went over that day's receipts with her part-time shop assistant.

"I see we sold one of those expensive evening dresses yesterday...and a set of those French silk basques as well." said Barbara.

"Yes...I remember that.  It was a man who bought them." said the assistant.

"For his wife?"

"Well, that's what he said but he knew a lot about women's fashions, looked nervous, kept making a big point about they were for his wife and her size was, conveniently, exactly the same as his."

"I'm sure that's just coincidence and, besides, the money we made from that sale will keep us going for a while."  Barbara chuckled to herself:  Her assistant had an overactive imagination.  However, there was a lot of restocking to be done this morning.

Her stocktaking was interrupted by a youth who had entered the shop and made a straight line for her.  The youth looked like they had just come from a basketball match as they were wearing the gear for it.  They also had a baseball cap on their head.

"Say, lady, do you work here?" the youth said.

"I'm the owner of the shop" Barbara replied.

"Yo, my lucky day!" 

"How can I help you?"

"It's like this..." began the youth.  "I've got to go to some swanky do and I need something smart, you know?  Something a bit more formal than this" they said, tugging at their basketball top.

"Like a Tuxedo or smart suit?" replied Barbara.

"No...worse.  I gots to wear a dress!" said the youth.  "I know I look a bit like a guy because I don't do girly stuff but I'm actually a girl."

"Oh I hope I haven't offended you!" said Barbara.

"Don't sweat it, lady.  I get that all the time and it don't bother me.  But what does bother me is having to choose a dress to wear.  I ain't worn one or a skirt since I was eight!"

"Well, you've come to the right place...so what kind of event are you going to?"

"An awards ceremony.  I'm in a pop group and we're up for the award for best new act."

"A pop group?  Wow.  Which one, I may have your records?"

"Karaoke Legends...it's a kind of American and Japanese pop singing group...Karaoke is a Japanese word meaning..."

"Oh my gosh!  I've heard of you!  I even saw you at the Spice Festival a couple of months ago...you guys are terrific!"

The youth shrugged her shoulders and smiled.  "Yeah, I think so too.  I'm Darling Walsh."

"You're our first celebrity!  OK, a pop awards ceremony...I'm sure we have something suitable in stock that would be just right for you.  And not just a dress either...we've got shoes, accessories, whatever you need to make the evening more special, Miss Walsh.  Erm, can I call you 'Miss'?"

"You can call me Darling, sweet cheeks!" said the youth, flirtatiously.  She saw someone enter the shop and she gave her a wave.  The newcomer, another woman, walked over to them.

"Hey there Aya!"  said Darling.  "How's it going?"

"Could be better...I'm on probation right now" replied the woman.

"That's wild!  Listen, we hit it off at the Kitten Club a couple of weeks ago and I was thinking..." continued Darling.

"Listen, Darling, you're too young for me...call me in a couple of years." Aya interrupted Darling and put up a definite barrier between her and the flirtatious teen.  Barbara just stood there, saying absolutely nothing.

"How about we look at some outfits, Darling?" she eventually said after an awkward silence.

"Sure...it's got to look like something for a happening awards show but not anything that's gonna make me look freaky.  I don't wanna compete with Miko either; she'll wear a tiny mini skirt but I don't want anything that skimpy!  Just make me look like a lady but don't go over the top.  Am I making sense?"

"Just about" said Barbara, processing all that information in her head.  But as she was about to show Darling the young, formal section the young singer's attention was diverted again.

"Wow...look who's just walked in; Lulu Strang." said Darling, nodding towards a petite redheaded girl who had just entered the shop.

"Who's she?" asked Barbara.

"Only the second most unpopular girl at Buckingham High.  I dunno, I think she's kinda cute.  Hey, Lulu!  Over here!  You're looking good, girl." 

"Darling?  What are you doing here?  I didn't think this was your kind of place" replied Lulu.

"Normally no, but I gots this swanky do on and I gotta have some kind of frock to wear."

"This is my first time in here...I heard it's a swinging place" replied Lulu, enthusiastically.

"Yeah, it's pretty good in here...I only got here a little while ago.  Are you coming to our next gig?  I can get you a free ticket"

"Oh wow!  That would be fab!" gushed Lulu.

Barbara was getting frustrated at being kept waiting whilst Darling Walsh stopped to chat to everyone in the store.

The banter continued for another couple of minutes before Darling snapped out of it and turned her attention back to Barbara.

"Yeah, sorry there...I get carried away sometimes.  So, where were we?  Oh yeah, so you got a lot of frocks for me to look at, right?"

"Yes...if you'd like to step over here...we have..."

"Oh, one more thing...I'm just gonna give Lulu my phone number just in case, you know..."

"Miss Walsh!  Darling!" Barbara snapped but she soon regained composure.  "Might I suggest that can wait?  I mean, there's no rule against flirting and picking people up here but that other customer...Aya?  She looks a bit put out by it all and we do have a lot of outfits to look at."

"Yeah...sorry.  I don't normally act this way...I don't care for stupid dating and all that.  It's just...well...you seem like the kind of lady who's 'with it', you know what I'm getting at?  I mean, everyone's doing 'it' these days...you see, I had this little pink pill before coming here.  Akira gave it to me...said it was the latest thing; frees your mind among other things."

"I can see that!" said Barbara.  She should have guessed that Darling was stoned...she knew the signs from dilated pupils to bouts of hyperactivity.  "So let's just concentrate on what we need to do."

Half an hour of going through designs, dresses and accessories produced something that Darling could cope with.  It was a simple design, but well made in a black and white colour scheme with shoes and accessories to match.  Darling tip toed out of the changing room, wobbling in her high heels...which weren't so high for most women but for a tomboy like Darling, they could have been the Rocky Mountains.

"Wow, this is something else!" said Darling, her voice wavering between impressed and horrified.

"You look great, if I may say so myself, but importantly: Do you feel comfortable enough wearing that?  Awards ceremonies can go on a long time." replied Barbara.

"I don't think I can ever feel comfortable in these shoes but the rest is OK.  I'll look pretty good standing next to Miko!"

"Well...shall I box them back up and complete the transaction for you?"

"Actually, can I wear this home?  I reckon I'm gonna need practice wearing this froofy stuff!"

Barbara went to the till to ring the items up but the girl called Lulu Strang was hovering around, waiting for her turn to be served.  Barbara took note as she wrote up the receipt for Darling's purchases.

"All the best with your awards night, Darling, I hope you win" said Barbara, handing over the receipt plus a bag with all her original street clothing in.  "Now, Lulu, how can I help you?"

Lulu Strang outlined how much she liked the exercise outfit on the mannequin in the window because she'd been cast in the Buckingham High school musical and there was going to be long and arduous rehearsals for the dance numbers.  As Lulu outlined what she wanted Barbara was wondering why this girl was so unpopular with her peers?  She seemed a nice, enthusiastic girl.

After another successful sale and contented customer another teenager entered the shop as Lulu walked out.  She gave Lulu a disdainful look as she passed her by.  "What's she doing here?" the newcomer sniffed.

At the end of the working day, Jeremy stopped by the shop to do the accounts.  "I'm famished, darling, how about going out to eat tonight?" he said to Barbara.

"Great idea...saves us cooking and washing up!" she replied.

The place they decided to go to was the Sunny Side Up Diner.  It was decent and unpretentious but, more importantly, it was mid point between home and the shop.

"...so, anyway, I have no idea why this girl is so unpopular at school but there you go" said Barbara, once they had been seated.

"Teenagers, eh?  I never did understand the social pecking order when I was at school" replied Jeremy.

"Neither did I...I wasn't one of the cool kids at high school either" replied Barbara.

"Wasn't that like...six months ago?" Jeremy teased.

"You!  I know I'm young but....do you know, I feel old now when I'm with the current crop of high schoolers!  Living in America and having my own business has forced me to grow up!"

"I'm very proud of you" Jeremy replied, raising his glass.

Other people were arriving at the diner, notably the Sneedleys.  Edna noticed Jeremy and Barbara seated on the other side of the restaurant.

"Oh there's that nice young man, Mr Saint...and I see he's still with that lowbrow girl.  I thought so, no engagement ring either.  I worry for that boy, George:  He embodies all that is good in our youth and yet his choice of companion leaves a lot to be desired.  I fear he's on a slippery slope downwards....but let's be polite and encouraging, George...let's say hello to them."

George gulped.  He'd been in Pack's Clothing only 2 days before and he couldn't be 100% sure if Barbara had seen him or not.  If she was to mention that, then there'd be some awkward questions...

"I think we should leave them be, Edna" he said.  "They're probably having a romantic dinner and don't want to be disturbed" as he said that, he steered Edna away from them.  "I say, this table looks very nice..." he continued, noticing an empty table that was as far away from Jeremy and Barbara as could possibly be.  "...you get nice views of the park and river from here"

"...so I'll talk things over with Action about what I can do" said Jeremy, bringing up the awkward subject of taking the fight to the Landgraabs again.

"He won't want you to risk your life" cautioned Barbara.

"I know, but bits of information will help us...that's what I can provide"

"Well, if you do get the sack then there's plenty of work at the shop for both of us!"

"I'll drink to that!" he said, and at that moment their meal had arrived at their table.

After their meal they went straight home, tired.  George Sneedley was relieved that neither of them had spotted him in the restaurant.  Jeremy went to brush his teeth in the bathroom whilst Barbara went to get changed into her nightclothes.  It had been a lovely, romantic evening for the two of them...despite talk of Jeremy at his work.  A date night was always welcome for her...but she thought about all the teenagers that were in her shop today.  It wouldn't be long before she turned 20 and already she was feeling that gulf between her and boys and girls only 2 to 3 years younger than her.

But rather than lamenting lost youth, she felt encouraged that she wasn't one of the crowd chasing fashion...she was helping to determine it.  And she had the man of her dreams to boot!  Yes, life was good.

CHAPTER 159: Bustin'

 

I am absolutely sick and tired of being a C grade student.  I put in the work, the effort and hand my homework in on time...these days...but still I'm stuck at a C!  My teachers hate me, that's the only explanation.

"Hey, you're up pretty early, son.  Hard at it I see"

"Yeah, dad, I want to ace this homework.  Don't give my teachers any excuse to not award me an A or B"

"I'm impressed, son, with this attitude.  Where did it come from?"

"I'm sick and tired of being on the lower rung, the second tier, I guess.  I want...something..."

"More?  A chance for improvement?  Your family not high enough in your expectations?"

"That's not what I meant, dad, well not quite.  I mean, improvement yes but I know you work hard and have achieved a lot."

"Your grandparents came out here from Aberdeen, Scotland, with nothing and they helped me through school before I joined the Air Force.  I got my education there but at the rate you're going you could be the first McGregor to make it to College!"

It's nice to get a bit of encouragement from the old man instead of a "what time do you call this, Mister?" and it was even better to get him to read over my work to see if it was OK and the spelling correct.

As it turned out the teachers must have softened to me because I got a B today!  Yay me.  Onwards and upwards and all that.  Anyway, after a quick dinner I was buzzing and I wanted to check out the scene this evening; see who was around and about.  I was pretty much over my strange 'date' with Morgan Fyres and was ready to see who else was around; from the guys at school to maybe a few groovy chicks.  That B I got today has made me pretty confident!

Only...there's no one here!

Slow night, eh?  Never mind, I'll just head on over to the clubhouse, pick up the guitar and play some tunes.  Maybe that will attract some company...chicks dig guys who can play guitar.

OK, I've got the hang of this...this lick was tricky at the start but I'm better with the chorus.  I'm not disgracing myself here by any means.  Wait!  Who's that in the distance over there?  Blonde chick in a yellow dress?  Oh my goodness!  It isn't!  It couldn't be!  It damn well is!  Judy Keith!

I've only been in love with this girl since I was 6 when we met at a birthday party.  I say "met" but what happened was that I noticed her and couldn't stop looking in her direction.  She...well...didn't look back in mine.  But we've lived in the same town, gone to the same schools and know lots of the same people.

The last time I saw her outside of school was when she walked right down my street...I tried to say hello to her but chickened out.  Johnny Zest was right:  I should just go up to her and say hello.  Just hello.  I mean, our lives do overlap somewhat and what's the harm in saying hi to her.  The alternative is to miss out on another opportunity.  I'm not going to chicken out a second time!

"Hey there!  Out of my way, kid, you're blocking my path...Judy?  Is that you?"

"Excuse me, do I know you?"

"Kind of...I'm Jamie. Jamie McGregor.  We go to Buckingham High."

"Oh...well, there's a lot of people at Buckingham High.  Do we share any classes?"

"No...but we have some mutual friends:  Yuki Behr, Marcus Mueller, Efrain Webber..."

"Oh...them..."

"Erm, and Gillian Hills!  I know her as well!"

"You know Gillian?  Cool!"

"Yeah, well, she likes my music...my sound.  I play guitar"

"Are you in a band?"

"I'm entering negotiations to possibly join one...for now I'm more a kind of singer/songwriter."

"That sounds cool.  So what is it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"I just wanted to introduce myself properly.  I see you around a lot and thought I'd say hello."

"You see me around a lot?"

"Nothing sinister, I assure you.  It's just...well...you know...my friends tell me you're pretty groovy"

She nods.  I don't know if I'm making a good impression or not.  Oh now there's trouble brewing.  I really gotta pee!  I should have gone before I cycled here but...gnnnhhh...it's building up and I'm about to burst!

"Is there something wrong, Jamie?"

"With me?  Oh no!  I'm fine....FINE."

"It's that you're doing this strange dance.  It is a dance, is it?"

"Erm...kind of.  Listen, Judy, I have to go for a moment...are you hanging around here?"

"Maybe"

"OK, hold that thought....see you in a bit!"

Forget cool and suave...I'm running to the bathroom!  Oh man, I've blown it!  She's going to think I'm a nerd now!  The only plus side is that I feel enormous relief right now...

"Hey, Judy, who's that guy who was talking with you just now?"

"Hi Colleen.  He's some guy who says he's at the same high school as us.  I think his name was Johnny...or was it Jimmy?"

"I only caught a little look at him.  Cute?"

"Yeah, kind of.  He was trying too hard though...kept talking about his 'sound'."

"Ugh, how sad.  Oh look...here he comes now.  Hmmm, not bad.  A bit like Paul McCartney"

"I guess.  Not quite as cute as Paul though.  But he's not bad either.  You interested?"

"I could be.  Not if he's the desperate type though."

Oh wow...she's got a friend who's hot as well!  This could be my lucky night...Judy's stayed, she didn't run off and now she's got a really cute friend with her as well and they're both looking at me!  Play it ultra cool, Jamie.

"Hello ladies...I don't believe we've met before; I'm Jamie"

"I'm Colleen."

"Nice to meet you...well, both of you.  I was saying to Judy that I play guitar down here from time to time."

"That sounds neat."

"Do you know any Beatles songs?"

"I know loads.  Yeah, come and see my set on Friday and I'll take requests."

"Well, I might be down on Friday but I'll see you at school tomorrow, Judy.  I've got to go finish my homework.  Bye Jamie, maybe see you around?"

"Bye Colleen....so, Judy, are you going to be hanging around a little longer?"

"I might.  It's a bit slow around here this evening, don't you think?"

"We could find something interesting to do...like going to the clubhouse...I could play a few tunes by the fire."

"You make it sound almost appealing...I tell you what, Jamie, I will take a rain cheque for this evening but I will be here on Friday to see you play.  You'd better be good."

"I am...no complaints so far"

"Norwegian Wood."

"What?"

"My request for Friday.  Would you play Norwegian Wood?  I thought you said you knew most of the Beatles songs?

"Of course.  Norwegian Wood goes on the set list."

"See you then"

"OK, bye Judy...oh, hey, we might meet at school tomorrow?"

"We might"

I'm not sure if she smiled or shrugged when she said that.  Well, at least she knows who I am now.

Well, I'd better learn how to play Norwegian Wood then!  I can't believe I got to talk to Judy Keith AND she's going to meet me this Friday as well!  I think I've sown the seeds with her...impressed her a little, things are looking up, Jamie boy.  And I think her friend likes me as well, which is good because you never know how these things go...take Morgan from last week:  One minute we're hitting it off and the next week she goes a little crazy on me.

Whilst I'm here I'll pop down to the clubhouse to practice my music a little more.  Gotta work on a set list.  It's nice to have a bit of an audience, even for a practice, and I see Malcolm Landgraab and his French girlfriend are already there.  I don't know either of them but that's OK.

"How about you and me head back to my place?  My parents are out of town this evening and I know where the key to the liquor cabinet is."

"Hee-hee, Malcolm, you are a naughty boy, n'est ce pas?"

"Oh VERY naughty, ma cherie!  But how about it?"

"Well...."

"I....ONCE HAD A GIRL....OR SHOULD I SAY....SHE ONCE HAD ME!"

"Oh great, a someone trying to play the guitar and screeching!  Marie, let's split this place before Lennon here breaks some windows with his voice."

"I theenk 'es not bad.  I want to stay an' leesten a leetle bit more"

"Oh....great."

"I.....SAT ON HER RUG....ISN'T IT GOOD....NORWEGIAN WOOD!"

Yep...all in all, a pretty good day!

CHAPTER 158: Clandestine Shopping Trip

"What was that noise?" said Edna Sneedley, her suspicious gaze suddenly turning towards the front door.

"I think it was the mailman, dear" said her husband, George.

"The mailman's delivery is always precisely 10am, this is 2 hours ahead of that.  I'm going to find out what's going on!" she exclaimed, striding to the door.

On examining the contents of the mailbox she noticed a flyer for a local politician that belonged to the opposition party.  Edna unfolded it and read the words.

"we STAND for PROGRESSIVE policies...MORE taxes on wealthy people....MORE representation for our younger people...MORE government INTERVENTION programs!  Bring our BOYS back home from VIETNAM...END the WASTEFUL Apollo program!  Make LOVE not WAR!"

Edna's nostrils flared and she crumped the flyer in her hand.  "Who befouled my mailbox with this FILTH!" she exclaimed.  It didn't take her long at all to discover who...a lady in a pink suit but wearing an opposition party button on her jacket lapel was putting the same leaflets through all the letterboxes on the street.  Edna saw her target and strode purposefully over to her to confront them over this.

"Excuse me, is this yours?" said Edna to the lady in her demure voice, which usually set up the unsuspecting victim to be lambasted loudly.

"Why yes, are you interested in our cause?" said the lady.  "My name is Reyna Narayanan and I'm your local candidate..."

"NO YOU MAY NOT COUNT ON MY SUPPORT!" Blasted Edna.  "And nor can you count on my husband's either!  THIS is League of Decency country!"

"The League of What?" said a startled Reyna. 

"The League of Decency....a group of dedicated citizens who are standing up against the degradation of our society by the likes of your party!" And with that Edna crumpled the flyer up in her hands and shoved it back at Reyna.  "YOU are not welcome HERE!" she bellowed.  Reyna said nothing but instead stomped off, angry at being met with such hostility.

"Pinko!" muttered Edna, behind her back.

Meanwhile George was in the house bunker having a drink and thinking of what to do today.  He had a day off from work but Edna was on the campaign trail thus leaving him on his lonesome for a few hours.  Now normally he would change into his alter-ego, Georgina, or was it Beulah?  A few hours dressed as a woman took George to his private happy place although it was touch and go last time he dragged up:  None other than Geoffrey Landgraab had spotted him as a her and even tried to flirt with him...leading to George having to improvise matters and create yet another alter ego named Beulah who was this Southern Belle character.  That day was such a thrill that George considered doing it again and venturing even further afield.

"Alright, Dear, I'm off...wish me luck at City Hall!" said Edna as she was exiting the house.

"Bye-bye, my love!  Have a nice day" replied George.  As soon as the front door closed shut, he thought about what he wanted to do.  Instead of dressing up he decided that Georgina's wardrobe needed some additions so he was planning a shopping trip down at Magnolia Promenade.  It was a part of town he didn't venture into much, so there was less chance of him being recognised by anyone he knew.  He took a bus and a subway downtown, committed to his plan of action.

It was 9:30am when he arrived at Magnolia Promenade and, as he suspected, it was mostly deserted down there as it was a weekday morning.  The first shop he walked past he had mixed feelings about:  Pack's Clothing.  It was owned by this mere slip of a girl, one of those so-called "Dolly Birds" he had read about in the newspapers.  Pack's was where the Mods, Dolly Birds and Faces all bought their clothes.  Not George's thing, not even "Georgia's", but his attention was grabbed by some of the displays in the shop window.

He particularly liked a black lace basque and next to it, a purple exercise leotard.  Hmmm, I need to shed a few pounds...he thought, patting his stomach.  Along the line of mannequins he saw some nice cocktail dresses as well.  Maybe this shop did have some things to interest him?  He decided  to venture inside.

Apart from a couple of shop assistants, he was alone in the boutique.  First he wandered by the menswear section, feigning interest whilst occasionally glancing at the more interesting womenswear.  He had already seen a couple of things that took his interest but now his heart pounded faster and faster as he had to check more closely to see if they had the outfits in his size and then...actually go and purchase them.

"Can I help you, sir?" said a voice behind him.  George turned around and saw two shop assistants standing behind him.

"Erm...I...well...I don't know" he stammererd.

"May we help you?  Are you looking for yourself or for someone else?" the lady shop assistant replied.

"Erm...I'm looking for clothes...FOR MY WIFE!" George exclaimed.  The male shop assistant stepped away and the young woman continued to probe George for more information.

"A present or something to mark a special occasion?" the shop girl continued.

"I just like to buy my wife gifts now and again...a surprise." said George.

"And did you have anything in particular in mind for her?"

"Erm....that...erm...basque...you have in the window."

"Oh, now that is ideal for a special gift.  What size is she?"

"Erm...a Sixteen" he said, giving his own size.

The shop assistant went out back to the stock room and returned with an ornate cardboard box which she proceeded to open, revealing the black satin and lace garment wrapped up in thin tissue paper.

"Is this what you want?" she asked.

"FOR MY WIFE!  Yes, thank you" he replied.

"Of course...and would you like any hosiery to go with this?  Stockings or pantyhose?"

"STOCKINGS!" he blurted out.  "Erm...black.  Sheer."

"Sir knows his wife very well.  There we go" she said,  reaching for a pair of black nylons that were on a shelf and putting them on top of the box.  "And anything else?"

George's heart was pounding faster and faster and he was about to break into a sweat.  This is going well, he thought, he just had to remain calm.  The last item he was interested in was the little black dress.  A bit shorter than he was used to wearing...and the kind of thing that Edna would object to...but Georgina would be interested in wearing it.

He decided that the three items were enough for today and, besides, he didn't like the other outfits in the shop as they were too trendy.

"There you go sir, I hope your wife enjoys what you've bought her.  I must say, you have very good taste.  Most of our male customers are hopeless at buying for their wives but you have a good eye for fashion." said the shop assistant once the transaction had been completed.

"Oh, do I?  Well, she gives me clues" he stammered.  The mission was almost accomplished...almost.  George had the items and he was prepared to head on out of the shop, content that he'd picked the right shop and right time of day so he wouldn't be recognised.  But he had and by someone he knew so tangentially that even though they had never spoken with one another, they had seen each other just often enough for a mutual recognition.

The person in question was Joelene Scholl:  A former Lothario Kitten now turned solo singer who had left her modelling career and kitten outfit behind.  But George had seen her enter and leave Lothario proprietor Alan Cuffe's house many times and she had seen him.  He was present when Edna lambasted her at the Blue Velvet Club in Willow Creek.  She had noticed him.  Now she recognised him here, alone and without Edna and she let out a startled cry.

George saw her as well and their eyes met.  She looked at him and noticed he was carrying some shopping bags with clothing from this shop in them.  Unfortunately for George, Joelene was between him and the door so he couldn't avoid her.  He started to walk purposely out of the shop but as he walked past her she couldn't resist a little dig in his direction.

"I didn't think this was your kind of shop, Mr Sneedley" she said.

"That's none of your business!" he snapped back at her.

"Does your wife know you're here?  Strange that a man known for his upstanding views on society should shop for clothes in an establishment that caters for all the kinds of people you hate."

"Again, my business is my own and not your concern!"

"How many times did you lurk outside of Alan's house, trying to get a peep at us?"

"I did not try and peep at you!  Well, only to find out what kind of lewd activities you were getting up to!" he said, defensively.

"I bet it gave you a thrill!" she shot back at him.

All George could muster as a retort was a loud, indignant huff and he stormed out of the shop.  Those Lothario Kittens are the worst kind of women, he thought to himself.  Not only was their clothing and work provocative, but they were obnoxious as well and this Miss Scholl was one of the worst even though she was out of uniform!  George was also concerned that she might have guessed why he was in Pack's Clothing to begin with...

Without thinking, he found himself entering a very different kind of clothing store:  JF&S clothiers.  They specialised in expensive evening and formal wear.  George was exhausted and nearly had one of his turns back at Pack's Clothing so he sat down and saw all the elegant dresses displayed there.  This place calmed him down; civilised, traditional and upmarket. 

As George was being becalmed by all the elegance around him, he was approached by a young, fashionable blonde woman.

"Wife's brought you along for one of her shopping trips, eh?" said the woman.

"What?  Are you talking to me?" George replied.

"Yes...and subject my boyfriend to the same ordeal as well.  Ha-ha.  You menfolk are very patient and kind whilst we indulge ourselves.  What's your wife looking for?"

"My wife?  Oh, her.  Uhm, well, you know, something elegant, refined, that sort of thing."

"She's certainly taking her time...I've noticed you've been sat here for ages.  An epic shopping trip?"

"Yes, ha-ha." George laughed nervously.  "You know, you ladies with your fancy dresses, frocks and...erm...shoes"

"Don't I know it!  My boyfriend is busy this morning otherwise I would have dragged him down here..."

"Dragged?" said George, gulping.

"Dragged, led, forced into coming to JF&S's when he'd rather be watching the baseball.  Anyway...so I've got this event coming up and..."

"Excuse me for interrupting, but I've realised I haven't locked the car up...must dash" George made a hurried excuse to leave because he had spotted Edna's old high school rival, Katrina Calliente, entering the shop and not only did she know George, slightly, she was such a gossip that word was bound to reach back to Edna that George was in JF&S's on his own.

George got up out of the chair, lowered his head, put his hand over his face and skulked off out of the shop, once back on the street he started to run for home.

Before he got to the subway station, he'd remembered he'd left the new clothes he'd bought behind at JF&S's so he had to quickly run back, grab them when Katrina wasn't noticing, and then run out again.

It was an exhausted, but relieved, George who returned to Sneedley Burrow.  He wasted no time in heading down into the bunker to stash his new purchases with his other secret items.  However, no sooner than the suitcase went back into the storage room than he heard Edna's footsteps coming down the stairs.

"George, are you here?" she cried.  "What are you doing down here, my dear?"

"Oh just a bit of sorting out, chucking out, that kind of thing.  Would you like a drink?"

"Oh yes please, I absolutely need one.  The problem with City Hall is that it's dry!" she said, flopping down on a chair.  George poured her a Sweet n' Spicy and she downed it in one.  She looked at George and felt warm towards him.  Getting up she went over to him and stroked his cheek.  "My man" she said, softly.

"Now, George, I think I can thrash you!" she said.

George looked worried.  "At...erm...what, dear?" he replied.

"Don't Wake the Llama.  We haven't played in ages.  Let's get us a couple of more Sweet n' Spicy's and play a few games!  I'm warning you, George, I play to win!"

"Don't I know it, dear"

CHAPTER 157: Over The Threshold

 

"Home sweet home" said Suzy as she stepped out of the car.  "The honeymoon was wonderful but I do like coming home and seeing that it's still there...it hasn't burned down"

"Well, that's one way of looking at it." replied her husband, Neil.  "Ever the optimist..."

"Shall we just go inside, get a coffee and just flop?" said Suzy.

"I've got another idea..." said Neil.

"A better one?" asked Suzy.

"Not necessarily.  Just something traditional, that's all."

"Sounds interesting....hey!  What are you doing?  Put me down!  Hey!" she exclaimed.

"Stop kicking!  I'm trying to carry you over the threshold and I've got 3 tricky steps to negotiate...I do not want one of your Go-Go boots in my face, thank you"

Suzy stopped kicking.  "Ooh, how very romantic and traditional" she cooed.

Neil walked up the stairs, carrying Suzy, his muscles straining as he took each step.  Then he arrived at the front door.  "Ah..." he said, putting her down.

"What?  That's it?" said Suzy, disappointed.

"I forgot to take the keys out of my pocket first.  Hang on..." he said, reaching for the house keys, inserting them in the lock and opening the door.  Then he picked her up again and carried her into the hall.

"After that long drive, I'm starving!" said Neil, rubbing his stomach.

"Same here.  I'll cook us some bacon and eggs...my first home cooked meal since I became your wife" she replied.

"So are you going to become a housewife now and renounce the world of high fashion?" said Neil, with a smile.

"Fat chance!  You're making dinner later" she replied, slapping him with a dish cloth.

The telephone rang.  Suzy went over to it and picked it up.

"Hi, Suzy!  Abigail here".  Abigail was her boss at 'Hey Wow'.  "How was the honeymoon?"

"It was wonderful, Abigail.  We saw so many..."

"That's great, Suz.  Listen; normally I wouldn't bother you like this but there's an art exhibition down at Municipal Muses and the reporter I assigned has just cried off with some kind of illness.  It might be malaria.  Anyway, I'm desperate to cover this event and you're the only staffer I have who isn't tied up on something.  Could you be a sweetie and cover it?  It's only nearby to you and it should only be for a couple of hours.  Maybe four..."

Suzy sighed.  "Sure, Abigail.  I'll be there."  Her boss rang off and Suzy looked apologetically at Neil.

"Go...I understand.  We'll hang out as newlyweds later" he said.

Suzy made her way to the museum and already she could see it was a lot busier than usual with a lot of stylishly dressed people queuing up outside to get in.  Already, photographers were taking snaps of the patrons in the hope that one or more of them would be some kind of celebrity.

She showed her press pass at the entrance and walked straight on inside where the patrons were more spread out over the two floors, the cultivated gardens and piano bar area.  No sooner had she gone inside than someone recognised her.

"Say, aren't you Suzy Kent from 'Hey, Wow!'?" said a striking looking young woman, head to toe dressed in black and wearing the shortest dress she had ever seen.

"I am." Suzy replied, a little apprehensively.

"Oh I just LOVE your work" the woman said, flamboyantly.  "My name's Lilith Pleasant by the way"

"Are you an artist?" asked Suzy.

"I'm a MUSE, darling!" Lilith replied.

"Who's muse?" 

"Oh I haven't decided on that yet" came Lilith's reply and she let out a short, haughty laugh.

"Is there anything here that's impressed you so far?" asked Suzy, her notepad at the ready to write things down.

"Oh the classical stuff is SO boring but I do like some of the modern art here.  Such confidence!  Such boldness!  The vividness!..." she said, wafting a hand in the direction of one painting which consisted of a light grey background with the word "DULL" written on it in dark grey.

"I....see..." replied Suzy, unconvinced but remaining diplomatic.  However, one other lady wasn't so tactful.

"Ugh...that is NOT art!" she huffed.  She was a lady of Indian descent, Suzy figured, and her face seemed vaguely familiar but she couldn't put a name to it.  She had on a crimson dress that combined western fashion with an Asian twist and wore her hair up, in a beehive style.

"Oh and I suppose you're an expert in art, are you?" Lilith responded, looking down her nose at the woman.

"I am a painter...my name is Jesminder Bheeda"

"Never heard of you.  And do you have anything hanging here today?" replied Lilith.

"Well, not as such..." said Jesminder, slightly embarrassed.

"Didn't think so" said Lilith, cutting her down.

"I might not be well known as an artist but I know what is good art and what is...well...garbage!" said Jesminder, raising her voice and pointing an accusatory finger at one painting.  "I mean, what is THAT?  It's just some brightly coloured squares on a white background with various black lines going through them."

"That is a style called 'Neo-Plasticism'" said Lilith, indignantly.

"Ooh! I've heard of that!" exclaimed Suzy.  "My husband..." she said, beaming at the word "...told me about it."

Jesminder, however, completely ignored Suzy.  "As for that..." she said, pointing at the painting with DULL on it "...that is the worst bilge I have ever seen in any gallery!"

At this point a woman with long red hair stood up with barely supressed rage on her face.  "That painting is MINE!" she growled.

Things then deteriorated even more but Suzy was able to take a photograph of the ensuing punch up.  Immediately after that she raced home to type up her report and get it couriered to the offices of 'Hey, Wow!' before any of the newspapers could beat her to it.

"You should have seen it...handbags and fur flying everywhere".  Suzy was telling Neil about her work day when he got back in from his job.

"Well nothing like that happened at my work today.  Anyway, Suz, I've been meaning to have a discussion with you about my work, the future and our home together." he said, earnestly.

Suzy looked attentively at him.  "What's on your mind?" she said.

"I've been thinking...I don't want to stay working in a shop for much longer.  My art is coming along well...certainly better than just writing DULL on a grey canvas.  I'm thinking of turning full time professional with it."

"I think you should" said Suzy, supportively, and putting her hand gently on his arm.

"But this place is too small to have a studio or easel.  And then there's your work as well; the writing, the photography and the ideas board you have over there...that would be better for you if we lived in a bigger place."

Suzy sighed with some apprehension.  "But this is my home!  I mean, our home!  I've become attached to it...all our friends are here, our community..."

"I know...but how about we stay in Willow Creek, close to everyone?" said Neil, sympathetically.

"I've been committed to saving this neighbourhood from the planned Landgraab development...and there's still some investigation we need to do about that glade!  It would seem like cutting and running if we moved."

"And we can still save Foundry Cove wherever we live.  I've seen some houses over at Courtyard Lane, which is just around the corner from here and we can afford one of them.  I don't want to pressure you though...just mull the idea over for now."

Suzy felt torn; Yes this house was getting too small and at some point she and he might want to have a baby...at some point; the idea was still scary for her.  But her heart was here, in Foundry Cove.  Jeremy to the left, Action opposite, Julia to the right and Summer and the gang just a hop across the road.  A tight knit community.  It would be hard to break that up.

"Neil...I'm going to take a short walk around the Cove to think about this."  She said, he nodded.

Stepping out of the house she took a walk over to the mysterious tree; the one that led to a mystical glade, the nature of which was still largely unknown.  It was a beautiful early evening in this part of the low Summer and Suzy drank in the sights and sounds of the place.

After a while Neil came along and joined her.  "You know..." he began "...it really is lovely here.  Especially at this time."

"I know.  I'm giving the idea of moving some serious thought" she replied.

Neil nodded.  "You know, I am the latecomer to this area.  I wasn't here at the start, when it was you, Jeremy and the gang."

"But I can't hold us back purely out of sentimentality either" she replied.  "I'm not saying we should definitely move but I will agree to check out some houses in the surrounding area.  Is that OK?"

"That's more than OK" he replied, smiling.  "I'll get a list of some properties we can check out"

"Oh no you don't!  WE'LL get a list.  I'm right alongside you in this."

Meanwhile, down the road, another conversation was taking place between two men.  One of them had an electronic device that fitted into the palm of his hand.  He saw Suzy and Neil talking and pointed the device in their direction.  The other man did not look happy about this.

"Put the scanner away, Luke Kendall" said the cross man.

"I am checking to see if the space manifold is still intact and that its integrity has not been compromised, Davis Goode." said Kendall.

"But what if the hu-manns notice you doing that?  Remember, John Action lives in that house over there.  You are no longer assigned to monitoring this sector because he might recognise you." replied Davis.

"I wiped John Action's memory; he will not remember me.  As for other hu-manns, there are only the Humphries present...the lady behind you is one of us."

"She is?  Why was I not notified?  I am the monitor for this sector." replied Davis, put out at this news.

"Things are proceeding quickly, Davis Goode" replied Kendall.  "The space manifold of the glade is still intact despite the unauthorised intrusions.  You will continue to monitor any attempt to access the portal and report back to me if there are.  Do not take action for now.  Nilharoi, Davis Goode."

"Nilharoi shebber shenty, Luke Kendall"