STORE CLOSED

Store’s closed.

Give me five minutes to buy a jacket and tie, and I’ll buy you a drink and a steak next door.

I was just heading home to dinner. Wife. Family.

One hundred dollars to the college fund.

Come on in. You got twenty minutes.

Five dollars a minute it is. Here you go.

Pay me when you purchase.

Deal.

He didn’t want anything too flashy, draw the eye. Blend-in-brown would suit him fine. He settled for a camel hound’s-tooth…not something he would typically choose but circumstances and efficiency were the priority and the fact that it fit smartly right off the rack didn’t hurt. A man should feel comfortable in the jacket he’s in. Gives off a trustworthy demeanor. He threw two dress shirts onto the counter and grabbed a couple of pairs of socks.

You legit?

Legit?

Yeah, running from the law or something?

You really want to know the answer to that one?

Probably not. Four hundred, forty six, and thirty three cents…

Does that include the college fund?

No sir, that is only for the merchandise.

“Then suppose we call it an even 6.” He fanned the six bills on the counter.

I sincerely hope you wear the items in good health, sir. And thank you for your business. Please come back anytime.

That would be doubtful, but I appreciate your hospitality.

You want steak and a drink don’t go next door. The place is a town watering hole and the locals will pick you out right off. The police…they eat in there. The steak is much better over at the hotel.

Just another out-of-town guest…

And a better cut of meat.

Thank you, sir. Pleasure doing business with you as well. Good luck with the family.

Thank you. I’ll walk you out.

On the street a patrol car pulls to the curb. The shop owner nods to the street corner behind them and the customer turns smartly and leaves in the direction of the hotel. Behind him the shop owner greets the patrolmen as they brush past on their way into the steakhouse.

“Enjoy your meal boys!”

Hearing the platitude the customer now knew he could slow his pace into something more leisurely, and started to anticipate a savory  steak as he strolled…

“Yeah…with a  big baked russet and all the trimmings.”