The short man in the tan suit stood on the sidewalk in front of RiffRaff, the local antique and thrift store. His eyes squinted in the sunlight as he used a cloth from his pocket to clean his glasses for the thirty-first time that day. Isaac couldn’t move until they were clean. Cracks in the sidewalk could be found in front and behind him and he didn’t dare risk stepping on one.
A few people who walked by said hello or waved, most keeping a fair distance from the man. Full of quirks he was a local legend, a man of many fears with lots of money. Eccentric yet very kind and generous. He was a patron to so many and nearly the entirety of Briartown loved him for it.
Eventually, twenty-seven minutes later, he stepped over the cracks and entered the store. Walking slowly and methodically around shelves and tables he avoided touching anything. The combined scents of dust, old furniture and books, as well as pumpkin incense filled the air with an odd combination of aromas. It tickled his nose, making him sneeze.
Out came a handkerchief. He blew his nose, found the nearest trashcan to put it in that he could reach without touching anything else, then used hand sanitizer that also came from his pocket.
He had a lot of pockets, his suit unique and made to his specifications.
“Isaac!” called out Asia. Tall and athletic she was dressed in bright pink bellbottoms and a plain black t-shirt. Bedecked in jewelry of all shapes, colors, and kinds she jingled as she walked. Barefoot she made her way over to him, stopping a few feet away.
“Hi there, Asia,” he replied, appreciative of her distancing. “I thought I’d see if you got that piece in I ordered.”
“I did, I did! I was going to message you later today in fact. Come on in and I’ll fetch it,” she said, disappearing back into the back behind some nearby shelves.
Isaac stayed where he was. He knew there was a goose loose in the building and geese were on his list of one hundred and nineteen things he feared. It had once been a longer list but he’d been slowly learning to overcome them with the help of his therapist and a few close friends.
When Asia returned she held a small box, about half the size of a standard shoebox, in her hands. She chuckled and shook her head, having known full well her friend wouldn’t acquiesce to her request. He always did his best to steer clear of Clementine Goose. It didn’t seem to be a note of concern or frustration for any of the employees. They took Isaac and his oddities in stride.
“Okay. This is it. One Orb of Direction. Are you sure you’re wanting to mess with this?” Her head tilted and she looked at him questioningly.
He nodded, taking the box. He held it reverently, feeling the warmth that emanated from it. “Oh, I’m sure. As far as what I’ve been told it’ll cut the time it takes to find things in half or more! And I think I’ve convinced the Culpeppers to let me be a patron with the understanding some of their students get to be involved in this beauty’s investigation and implementation.” His grin was thoughtful, his mind already shifting to possibilities as he suddenly pulled himself away from the conversation.
“That’s good news, we can hope. You’re full of smart ideas, young man.” She waited a few moments for a reply then, chuckling, wandered off. He didn’t seem to notice, no longer acting as if Asia was even there. No response from the eccentric fellow.
With a smile she left him there, moving about the many rooms, dusting and organizing. Eventually she left the care of the shop to her assistant and their single cashier, the two ladies more than capable of handling any customers who might wander in while the owner was out.
As for Asia, she had a meeting and she was already nearly late. That meant she scooted past her friend, bumping his hip with hers playfully, as she headed towards and out the door.
Isaac stood quietly, lost in his own thoughts, for a good twenty minutes before he suddenly spoke up, no one beside him. “I’ve got some other ideas in my head, too.”
He blinked, realizing no one was there. “Hmm.”
A honk further into the building made him tense. Clearing his throat he held the box close, and booked it for the door. “Gotta go! See ya! Bye!”
Then he was out, not willing to risk being bullied by a goose. Not again at least. Outside he paused, pulling out sanitizer and cleaning his hands once again. His gaze shifted to the item in his hand and he smiled, the smile reaching his eyes as an excitement filled him. This had taken years of research and contacts, years of hard work to amass the fortune and the people to move forward with his project.
Pulling out his phone he hit four on speed dial. Once again standing between sidewalk cracks he held the piece of tech to his ear, nodding as it connected.
“I’ve got it,” said Isaac. For a moment he got distracted again, realizing he was craving a piece of candy. But, his hands full, he couldn’t make that happen. The bag was in his pocket. Frustrated he realized he’d missed some of the conversation. “Sorry, repeat that?”
This time he focused harder so he didn’t miss anything. Nodding a few times and then smiling he eventually replied. “Got it. I’ll meet you there.” The phone was shut and slipped into his pocket. Out came the candy and he chose himself a piece before finally moving away from the store. Over the cracks with a whispered superstitious mantra he headed a few blocks down where his driver would be waiting to take him home.
There were a few things he needed to do. Artifacts to get out of the vault. Overseeing the cleaning and preparation of his creating space. He’d never put magic to the test with his products, never blended tech with magic in a mystic ritual.
There was a first time for everything and even the most fearful man could risk everything for the worthiest of causes and what cause was more important than the life of the sister you loved more than anything and anyone else?