Sable sighed and turned the square of fabric for the 5th time. She enjoyed the work; sealing up the edges of a bolt of cloth ordered her thoughts and gave her a peace of mind. Mable, with her bubbly personality, took to greeting the customers, which gave Sable the focus she needed to finish her work. There hadn't been many clients livening up the store recently, though.
"Welcome to Able Sisters, where YOU are the fashion designer!" Sable looked up hopefully, but Mable was just practicing. "Hey, sis, maybe it's our slogan." Sable turned off the machine and took the completed piece of fabric out of its jaws.
"I don't think that's the problem." Sable bent her nose in a thoughtful frown. She folded the fabric and took out another bolt. "There's something missing from our shop."
"Size? Décor? Atmosphere? Don't tell me it's our selection, Sable. I think we're covered there." Sable returned to the table and switched the machine back on.
"Whatever it is, it's a serious problem. We've got money saved of course, but…" Both sisters knew it wouldn't last for long.
Tom Nook scurried around his shop, straightening displays and adjusting price tags. He had just gotten permission to upgrade to Nookington's. The visitors from Sandbay happened to include an investor. She looked over Nookway with a few nods of approval, giving him the contract later that day. All he needed to finish the deal were the bells, and he certainly had those. Tom walked to the back room of the store, setting the bundle of papers on his desk. The forms described options ranging from light intensity to wallpaper choice. He picked up the sheet on top, glancing over its choices.
"Featured business?" Tom put the paper down, leaving possibilities of a small shop inside his supermarket to a later date. He knew it was an important decision, one he would need to ponder carefully. Spinning back and forth in his swivel chair, he booted up his old computer. It flickered on, the dim glow fading into Nook's fur.
Tom Nook didn't rely on local profits to keep his business afloat. Townies made an occasional purchase or two, but he needed a steadier income. So when they came in, ready to deliver a bug or fish for a quick bell, Tom took the creature and paid a satisfactory price. They'd sell for much more in other towns. He pulled up a map of his own trade network, clicking his tongue in concentration.
"Sandbay had no need for sea fish…perhaps I'll send them some trout, yes? And what about Pinewoods? They need their sea bass and red snapper, hmm?" He sent out a few orders for boxes (light ones for Sandbay and heavy-duty crates for Pinewoods to make the longer trip). He was about to click the order when a loud scream caused him to drop the mouse.
"Help! Fire!"
After the shop closed, Sable turned off the lights, lit a candle on the table, and sent Mable looking for old clothes. She had become a familiar sight around the town, asking for worn clothes to reuse. The economy might've been bad, but Sable still wasn't satisfied with the idea of having to rely on charity. She sighed and pulled out her last piece of fabric, and it tore, unbalancing the machine. She held the loose sleeve in her hand for a moment. Her nose twitched, detecting a sour scent. She turned around, dropping the fabric. Her paw clasped onto a few threads. They suspended the flowery pattern above the ground before the strands unraveled.
A fire began to creep over the edges of her photographs.
"Fire!" Sable ran to the taps in the back of the room, pushing aside some empty rolls of fabric. They didn't use the running water in the shop. It carried the taint of soil with it and proved unclean for washing, let alone drinking. But it would blend with the fire just fine.
Mable pushed the door open with her leg just in time to see her sister frantically turn the knobs.
"Sis!" She dropped the shirt. "I'll get help!" She ran outside, calling for a bucket and able pairs of hands. Sable gave the faucets one last twist and stepped back, flailing her paws. She ran to the wall, grabbing the first photographs she could and rushing out the door. Other villagers entered, water spilling from their containers.
"Everybody out!" Butch barked, tossing his pail at the wall. Sable found herself being herded outside. Mable tugged a full pail of water from the pond.
"Sis!" She took the bucket from the younger porcupine and flung it onto the fire.
Tom Nook sat at his computer screen as the shouts died down. He heard Drake give a whoop. The sisters must be OK. He pushed himself away from his desk. A fire had invaded the Able Sisters' shop. A fire, devouring and ruthless, filled with crackles and hungry roars, had attacked the two caring sisters right beside him. He slowly walked to the door, reaching for the knob three times before he could manage to turn it.
There were safe, no thanks to him. He rushed back into his storeroom, closing the door with a bang that shook its hinges. Pushing the chair aside with one thrust of his arm, Tom grabbed the thickest catalog from a shelf above his desk. The other books, imbalanced, toppled and slipped onto the desk, but Tom flipped to the index without a glance to the fallen catalogs. He shakily grabbed a pen and circled the best sewing machine bells could buy. Pulling up his map once more, he ordered some fabrics and other supplies.
Tom knew business. He knew exactly what it took to get a business back on its feet. He tore out the page and taped it to the wall behind his desk and allowed himself a moment of wishful thinking.
"The future," he thought, "doesn't have to be so unfortunate, hm?" He opened a drawer and took out a picture of him and Sable. He trailed a claw over their laughing faces. After setting it on the desk, he pulled an envelope from the drawer and pushed it shut. A fire wasn't a small inconvenience. Those porcupines would need help, and he was going to deliver. If there was anyone who could get the Able Sisters back in business, it was Tom Nook.