2
Alyce continued down the street and with each step the crowds grew.
Alyce had always stood out but at the same time blended in. Yes, her clothes were bold and unusual but her demeanor kept her from being bothered by the people around her. Today though, she didn't stand out, well maybe she did with the lost look on her face, but not by her usual strangeness. Here, people were dressed in an array of this and that and everyone seemed to have their own agenda. People called for taxis or sat at bus stations, walked quickly down the street carrying a brief case or chatting with friends.
Alyce asked several people for directions or if they had possibly seen a white dog and was denied of any information; either brushed off or completely ignored.
"Hot-dogs, TD's Hot dogs!"
"Hot-dogs, TD's Hot dogs!"
"HEY!"
"HEY!"
Alyce turned her head to see two, very similar, men arguing and both red in the face. The men looked as if Alyce had slid a mirror in between one of them and his reflection was his brother. They both had thin dark hair combed over a sweaty scalp and multiple chins. Each wore kaki shorts with a yellow t-shirt and white aprons hugging their girth.
"What do you think your doing?"
"What do you think your doing?"
Each man stood with a red and yellow striped hot dog stand in front of them with, "TD's Hot Dogs" printed in block lettering across the front. Curiously, Alyce stepped forward.
"What can I get you?" They said in unison.
"I-" she began but was cut off.
They gave each other dirty looks and continued arguing behind their hands, Alyce could hear certain snippets of their disagreement.
"Customer"
"I'm telling ma'!"
"Family business"
Alyce tried to put in that she just wanted to know if they had seen a dog or possibly give her directions some place though she didn't really know where she would go but all she got in the conversation was, "Could you tell me-".
"I've got the best hotdogs in town, believe me, and my supplier,"
The other man continued off his brother's sentence but was obviously speaking on his own behalf, "which is the same as mine because he copied me like he always does and-"
"Me, copy you?"
And the argument continued some more.
Alyce tried all the impolite-polite things like clearing her throat, tapping her foot, and looking at a watch, though she wasn't wearing one. Usually an exceptionally patient person, Alyce felt quite contrary.
"Excuse me," she said timidly and then, "EXCUSE ME!"
"Yes?" They said in unison with haughty undertones. Who was she to walk up the their respectable business and be so rude?
Alyce blushed slightly, "I-I just wanted to know if you had seen my dog? A small white dog?"
"Yeah, that way," one of the men hooked a finger down a street. He gave his brother a look, who replied with, "People these days…"
She thanked them feebly and was on her way.