Freewheelin' P10

Wednesday afternoon after school saw Daria and Jane heading into the town center instead of home.
Daria didn't have detention and Jane didn't have Self-Esteem class so they had both left at the same time as everyone else. Daria was a little worried. What if all of her Mom's preparations were for nothing?

'Listen Daria, do you know what I think? I think it'll only happen on Tuesdays and Thursdays. You wouldn't go into Timmy's little torture factory so this is their way of making you pay for it. C'mon, I need some art supplies and there's a second-hand bookshop I think you'll like, the owner is the guy who asked me to do the brasswork for his society.'

Daria groaned. 'Jane I know I said I might go to the dance but I don't want to be on display like...'

'You wouldn't be, trust me, wait until you meet Karl before you say anything, please?'

'Nyeah, nyeah. I suppose I can go to a bookshop, is it accessible?'

'Oh yes, and if you're good there may be nachos later so stop yer whinin' Missy.'

'Mumble-grumble, yes mommy.'

'And less of yer lip.'

'Hang on, let me get my bearings. We're on Main Street, Wilson Street is parralel that way, that's where my Mom's office is...'

'Yeah and next one over is Dega Street, that's where we're going, we cross here and turn down there.'

A few minutes later they arrived at "The Bibliophile" a bookshop in a converted nineteenth century house. A wide ramp led up from the street and the door was extra wide. It had a quaint little brass bell that tinkled as they entered. Every corner and shelf was crammed with books but there was good clear space between the rows so Daria had no difficulty maneuvering through the store.

There was no piped music (thank god!), just the steady tick of a mahogany long case clock, it's pendulum in the shape of a pen nib. Dust motes hung in the dry air and there was (to Daria's nose at least) a pleasant aroma of old paper and leather bindings. She felt herself smiling and couldn't stop.

'Jane! What a pleasant surprise!' A strangely light and soft voice spoke from somewhere behind the counter. Daria wheeled herself over to say hello.

A tiny man in a fully motorized chair came out from behind the counter. His head was normal sized and he looked to be approaching middle age but his limbs were no bigger than a small child's and twisted in some terrible way. His eyes though were bright and friendly and he gave the girls a warm smile.

'Well hello. Jane please introduce me to your charming friend.'

'Karl, this is Daria, my friend from school. Daria this is Karl Burton, he owns this shop.'

'Pleased to meet you.' Daria said, meaning it.

'And it's an honor and privilege to make your acquaintance Daria, welcome to my little shop. Now what can I do for you ladies today?'

Jane replied. 'Well I don't need anything right now except to let you know that I plan on filling the acid bath on Saturday so if you've any bodies need disposing of it's the usual rates.'

'Ha ha, yes, I can think of one or two, I'll let you know if I have them ready by then. You'll be doing my nameplates I hope?'

'That's the plan, I have a couple of my own to do and that fills the batch, I'll have to sell a couple before I can afford to do another run.'

'Oh dear, well if you want to hang a couple of them... or your paintings in here I'd be happy to sell them for you. Now Daria, do we have something that could interest you perhaps?'

'Well... I'm on a science fiction kick right now if you have a section...'

'Certainly. Joseph! Come out here and assist this young lady.'

'Did we go through a time warp when we came in here?' Daria asked in an aside to Jane as a tall, bespectacled young man emerged from the back room clad in a tweed suit with matching waistcoat and a pocket watch! He reminded her of a picture she'd seen of W.B. Yeats.

He seemed quite shy as he came over and said 'Yes, can I help you miss?'

'Science fiction?'

'This way.'

'So Karl' Jane asked. 'Where have you been hiding him? What happened to that... what was her name?'

'Dolours, sticky fingers I'm afraid, I had to let her go. Joseph is very nice, he just started at Lawndale State, English Lit. He's almost painfully shy but knows his books.'

'What's with the suit? Is he...?'

'No, I'm pretty sure he's not, more's the pity, though he is a little young for me. He started dressing like that the second day, it seems to suit him. He's a probie in the Society now too, I can just picture him in a purple cravat.'

'And a flying helmet?'

'No, just a purple cravat, let an old man have his fantasies. Now look at that, that's the longest I've seen him talking to a female customer since he started.'

'I'm trying to talk Daria into coming to the Ball with me, could you show her your photos? She's a bit worried about being on show in the chair and all.'

'Of course! I'll fetch my album. Keep an eye on those two, by the look of them I'll either have to stop a fight or make sure they have protection.'

Jane laughed, then edged over to see what Daria and Joseph were getting so worked up about.

Daria was saying '… but if you just read what...'

'How can you compare Hemingway to Gibson? He writes science fiction for god's sake, Hemingway is a giant!'

'I'm not arguing about their relevance to the world of literature! I'm talking about their use of English. Gimme that book!' Daria pointed angrily at a shelf indicating a book with a silvery paper dust jacket. Joseph handed it to her. After leafing back and forth she found what she wanted.

'Now listen to this. The character is looking in the window of a jewelers shop where all the jewels have been taken away leaving just the velvet stands. This is how Gibson describes it: "Formal absences of precious things". Now tell me that is not a beautifully crafted sentence!'

'Read it again.'

'Formal absences of precious things.' Daria recited.

'Read the whole chapter from the start, please.'

Daria did so. Jane noticed that her voice was much less monotoned and in fact quite expressive as she read about the man approaching this mysterious bridge. She also noticed Joseph paying rapt attention to Daria's face as she read. Uh, oh.

A little electric whine heralded the arrival of Karl. He didn't interrupt but listened to Daria read with a smile playing about his lips.

Daria reached the end of the chapter and got a jolt when they all clapped. She had been caught up in the story herself. She gave a tiny smile and lowered her head.

Joseph spoke first. 'That was beautiful Daria... I mean the story is well written but the way you read it... '

'Yes, would you be interested in reading here on Saturdays? We have a little group that tries to promote literacy among elementary school children from underprivileged backgrounds. There's no pay but...'

'Everyone always said my voice was boring, why would you want me to...'

'Your voice is not boring, I imagine especially when you're reading something you really like.' Karl assured her. 'Would you consider it? Come along anyhow, there's free coffee and cookies.'

'Well I...' Daria glanced at Jane.

'Sure, I'll come with.'

Daria smiled gratefully. 'Well if you're sure...'

Joseph said. 'That's wonderful! I'll look forward to seeing you here.'

'Now Daria.' Karl said, smirking at his young assistant. 'Jane asked me to show you the pictures from our Grand Ball last year. I know it wasn't strictly speaking a steampunk costume but I couldn't resist, I wore it to the ComicCon as well, I was a smash!'

He turned the book to show her a photo of himself, naked from the waist up, make-up making him look ancient and with an extra eye in the middle of his forehead. His chair and lower half were covered in the bobbled skirt from a Dalek.

'Davros, creator of the Daleks, don't I look divine! Do you watch Doctor Who?' Daria nodded reluctantly. 'Well who was your favorite? Mine was Jon Pertwee.'

'Actually I preferred Tom Baker, he looked like an alien even without make-up.'

'He did, didn't he? Anyway my dear, have a look through this album. You shall go to the ball and you will look marvelous, won't she, Joseph?' Karl said as he headed back to his office.

Joseph was nodding enthusiastically when he realized two girls were looking at him and he turned bright red.

'Come on Daria, have a quick look at the pictures then let's head to my house, I want to show you... Oh, oh, my art supplies. Stay here, I'll be back in three minutes. Joseph will keep you company, won't you?'

All of a sudden the poor man couldn't think of anything to say so he nodded.

Daria shrugged and said. 'I want to buy this and this, you should keep the Gibson for yourself, I have a copy.'

'I... I'd like to hear you read the rest of it...'

'Yes I'm sure that's a funny joke on your planet but I'm not...'

'I wasn't joking!'

'Ok, just bag these and I'll wait outside for Jane.'

'Look, if I've offended you...?'

'No it's... another time, ok?'

'Saturday?'

'Sure, I'll see you on Saturday.'

'Great! It's a d...'

'NO! It isn't.'

'Of course not, I'm...'

'You owe me three dollars change... thanks... bye... Joseph.'