Chapter 4: Shop 'Til You Drop!

"There is no way in Satan's hell that I am going shopping with you!" Freddy sneered viciously, "The last time I went shopping was with your mother. She would always say she would be just half an hour…but oh no, we were still there in that damn mall nearly four hours later!"

She calmly folded her arms, "Well, I'm not leaving you by yourself to wander this ship. God knows what you'll end up doing or killing!"

Freddy slumped down on the bed, "Then I guess you're not going"

"Oh, yes I am" Maggie growled fiercely, then paused to think. Perhaps she could bribe him, buy him something to keep him happy even just for a few hours? "How about I buy you something…cigarettes? Cigars?"

"Cuban cigars"

Begrudgingly she agreed and gather a few items of clothing to change into. "Give me five minutes I need to get ready…and as for that" she pointed at his glove, "You're not bringing it!"

"No…I'm bringing it" he barked.

"I'm not letting you walk about this ship with that on your hand. I'll put it somewhere safe until we get back.." she began.

He bounced off the bed, "No! Someone will break in here and steal it!"
Maggie scoffed, "Don't talk bullshit!"

Trying not to fly into a fury, he pointed a blade at her, "Language young lady. It's not staying here…you can put it in your handbag"

She gave a curt nod and scuttled into the bathroom where she quickly changed into a pair of three quarter khaki trousers, white tank top and white trainers. Reappearing in the doorway she stretched out her hand, beckoning him to hand over his weapon. Slowly, he slid off the glove giving her an icy stare as she placed it at the bottom of her cream beach bag. "Right…let's go shopping!"

"You know I don't get it…how can their be shops for girls if this ship is a gay cruise ship?"

Raising an eyebrow she remarked, "Have you ever heard of drag queen? Or that they maybe have female friends back home?"

"Oh…such a clever bitch ain't ya?"

"Yes, I am" she spat back.

Sometime later the duo had arrived at the start of the shopping promenade that was situated on the second deck. A long walkway was in front of them and at either sides were a variety of cafes, restaurants, bars, a few nightclubs and clothes, shoes, accessory and gift shops. The shops that consisted of Le Chateau, Macy, Journey, Volcom, Old Navy, American Eagle, Guess among others were mainly in the middle of the promenade heading towards the very back.

Just as when Maggie was ready to storm onwards, a firm hand grasped her arm dragging her back. "Wait one dame second princess…I want my cigars"

"OK" she breathed. She handed over a fifty dollar bill but was surprised when Freddy took another few ten dollar bills too.

"For lighters and a quick drink" he stated simply.

She grunted in somewhat of a reply and ventured over to a nearby restaurant where she browsed the evening menu, perhaps contemplating on taking them both out for dinner that evening. Then again it would be best to order room service.

Quietly a figure crept up behind her and as she turned around a thick puff of smoke was blown into her face, "Ready Katherine?"

She coughed, gasping for breath, "Don't do that…you were quick. What did you drink?"

"A couple of vodka shots"

"Vodka?" she gasped, "Oh god…this is going to be a long afternoon"

He chuckled, "So…what are you buying?"

"A dress for this dinner with…" she instantly shut her mouth, not wanting to utter another word.

"Dinner? Oh, I heard earlier…you're meeting the jackass who sails this ship"

"He's a captain, not a jackass"

Freddy sighed, "Whatever, so have I got a seat too?"

She froze, "No, you are definitely not going"

"Yes, I am. I am NOT missing this fancy la-dee fucking da dinner!"

"For pete's sake…fine!" she grumbled, "So I guess I'll have to buy you a tuxedo or something"

"Tuxedo?" he growled, "There is no way I'm going dressed as a penguin!"

Her brown eyes pleaded with him, "Please…it's a special occasion"

In return she received an icy glare. "OK…I guess I'll buy you a nice shirt…and a pair of shoes instead. Is that acceptable?"

He hesitantly nodded and followed her down the promenade where they strolled into the first shop - American Eagle. After five minutes of being in the shop, Freddy had had enough and ventured back outside to have another cigar leaving Maggie to browse through the shop to her hearts content. He silently glared at the passer-by's, wishing that he was back in his own world…he badly needed a good nasty kill. A few young men walked past chatting laughing away, enjoying themselves. Among them was Simon now finished with his work down in the engine room. Freddy chortled darkly as Simon and his friends began to pass by, "Hey, Simon…"

The young man turned towards the voice, swallowing with fright at the sight of Freddy before him. How could this be? He should be in the dream world? Not alive in reality!

"You ready?" asked Maggie from behind.

Freddy silently nodded, still grinning at Simon. She puzzlingly gaze about the promenade, wondering why the hell he was smiling. "What are you smiling at?"

"Nothing"

Maggie eyed him suspiciously as they headed onwards to the next few shops. She didn't like it when he was so secretive, he must be up to something. She would have to keep a close eye on him.

"So, are you going to buy this gown or what?" he enquired.

"Well, it takes time to pick a dress. You don't just pick any dress…it has to be perfect"

Cursing to himself he followed her into the next shop, Le Chateau. The shop was very large, with several rows of aisles with a wide variety of stylish clothes, lingerie and other fashion accessories. Walking with a steely determination to buy something in this shop, Maggie made her way down the shop towards the back of the shop where a range of extravagant formal gowns were hung on long steel rails.

She eagerly examined each gown, contemplating on whether that particularly dress would suit the dinner occasion. After studying several gowns she picked out a red halter neck dress that went to just above her ankles. She placed it against her frame as she gazed in the mirror, musingly considering if it will do.

Freddy leaned against the wall, yawning, "It's going to look ugly on you…but buy it anyway"

Pointing a finger at him, she snarled, "You are not going to spoil my mood"

"We'll see about that"

A few minutes later Maggie reappeared from the changing room, changed into her gown. She gave a whirl in front of Freddy who crudely remarked, "It makes your ass look big" She instinctively flicked him the middle finger and charged back to the changing room, leaving Freddy smirking with glee.

Soon they were making their way towards the one of the check outs. The sales assistant stared straight ahead, somewhat entranced in a day dream. Maggie pulled out her purse, ready to pay for her gown. However, the sales assistant whose named tagged was overshadowed by this flamboyant aluminous green shirt was still drifting in day dream land.

Maggie sighed, glancing at his name tag 'Graham'. She politely coughed, "Excuse me"

He blinked several times, gasping with embarrassment, "Oh, please excuse my rudeness! I was just in the middle of a very pleasant day dream involving Johnny Depp…"

"Um, ok"

"How may I help you? Is it just this dress?" he questioned.

"Yes…" she smiled.

"You want to pay by cheque, cash or…" he started, but trailed off as his gaze was now fixed upon her chest. Nervously Maggie took a step back, "Are you ok?"

His mouth popped open in awe, "They look so real"

"What?" she shrieked.

His bony arms reached over the counter, firmly grasping her breasts to her utter horror, "These look AND feel real!"

Maggie squealed, squirming out of his grasp. "That's because they are damn real!"

His face turned blank, "So…you're not a man"

A hushed giggle resounded from Freddy who tried his best to keep his laughter at bay. Maggie gave him a angry glare then turned back to Graham, "Listen…I am a woman. 100 woman…and these are 100 real!" She yanked up her tank top nearly exposing her breasts beneath her bikini top to her father's horror.

She slammed a pile of dollar bills down on the counter and snatched the bag that contained her purchase out of his hand then hurried out of the shop, her blood boiling with rage.

"What the hell were you thinking? Flashing your boobs at perfect strangers!!" Freddy roared.

"Don't start" she snapped, "I am not in the mood for people…gay or not to make a joke out of me!"

He said and done nothing, just calmly pursued her as she marched onwards to the next shop, Macys. She stormed down the first isle, still enraged at what happened a few minutes earlier.

Freddy however, sensibly stayed outside hoping that Katherine would calm down. He pulled out another cigar, lighting it up and slowly taking a long drag. This afternoon was taking too long, she had to be finish with her good-damn shopping trip. Stubbing out his cigar on the window he quickly made his way into the shop and headed straight towards the counter where Maggie was signing her name on the receipt to validate her credit card. He crept up behind her glancing at her card with anger. Instead of the name stating - Katherine Krueger - as he believed it should be, it stated - Maggie Burroughs.

"What? That name should be Katherine Krueger and YOU know it!" he snapped.

The sales assistant took an inquisitive look at Maggie then back to Freddy. Sighing heavily, Maggie replied, "Look, once the expiry date is up I'll make sure the new card has Katherine Krueger on it. That ok with you?"

He grunted and turned on his heel marching out of the shop. After thanking the sales assistant she rushed after him, seeing him heading towards a huge toy department at the end of the promenade. As she entered through the huge double doors she halted, contemplating on where he could head to. There were several huge shelves on each side of her that extended half way down the shop, all of them filled with various toys for young babies, toddlers, young children and teenagers. She started off down the isle knowing that he would be near the dolls or teddy bears. It would be the most reasonable place to start looking, seeing as he may use the items to lure the children…

"Right…I want them dolls too" Freddy demanded to a rather nervous looking male.

"What are you doing?" Maggie asked as she turned into the aisle.

"Getting supplies" he said simply.

"Supplies?"

"You know…" he grinned, "Toys and dolls to lure the little piglets"

"Oh, no you don't. I am not buying your them so you can use them to trap innocent children" she hissed.

He strode over to her, leering at her with rage and threatened, "Do you really want me to turn back to my true self?"

Maggie gulped as his skin began to sizzle and smoulder. Quickly she shook her head, "No…you can have a few dolls and teddy bears. But not expensive ones"

"Good girl" he murmured and turned back to the assistant his face now back to normal. "I want them ten teddy bears…yeah the small ones. Them five dolls and that one there"

Maggie rolled her eyes, following the assistant as he placed the items on a huge steel trolley. He pushed the toys towards the check out…among the them was a large box that held a very familiar looking red haired doll, but this doll was neither adorable or friendly.