In the rare times she was companionless Minx would do either of two things. Most often she would work on repairing old broken synthesizers. It wasn't as if she needed new ones or couldn't afford to get them fixed but it was more of a meditative activity. Ever since she was 14 she had been building them from scratch. And before keyboards it was anything else electrical she could get her hands on: TVs , stereos, even her own toys. While she worked with the wires and circuitry her brain shut off. She felt at peace. The cogs and gadgetry represented an escape. They were so automatic, so unchanging and, it was such a second nature to her. It was comfortable and relaxed and it was used in a way comparable as such to how one would use knitting.
The other thing was shopping
It was a beautiful day and since the studio was close to the downtown shopping district Minx decided to walk. Her high heels made a delightful clicking sound on the concrete as she followed the streets to one of her favourite upscale boutiques. They sold exorbitantly expensive hand made accessories from belts and earrings to necklaces and hats. Especially hats! She had a particular affinity for hats and considered them a fashion staple. She glided into the store with an air about her that said 'I have money and therefore I am important'
She began browsing around the store, when out of the corner of her eye she caught sight of two suspicious characters. They seemed to be lurking right behind her as she strolled through the aisles. She ignored them, passing them off as overzealous fans.
She continued about the store occasionally picking things up to have a closer look. She eyed each item with scrutiny, making sure they were up to her high standards. She was so engrossed in inspecting each piece that she almost forgot about the annoying fans that were following her throughout the store. Suddenly there was a flash of light and minx whirled around to see the two fans had sprouted cameras and were frantically snapping pictures of her.
" Turn this way Minx!" One of the two directed her. " That's great! How about a quote?"
'Wait a minute? A quote' Minx thought to herself. 'These aren't fan's! they're paparazzi!! No wonder their cameras looked so expensive!!" In classic celebrity style she held her hand in front of her face and fled the store. She hailed the first taxi she saw. As a member of The Stingers of course she liked the attention but in true Stinger fashion she resented the fact that they were using her to make an easy buck. Candid celebrity photos these days went for thousands. " The nerve" Minx fumed out loud.
"what's that?" The cabbie called from the front seat.
"Nothing! Your job is not to talk to me. Now drive!"
They rode in silence. Those stupid reporters had ruined her outing. Minx's good mood was short lived and in its place her foul one had returned. Along with it came her headache and irritated throat. She swallowed and was annoyed at the discomfort she felt. It was a telltale sign she was definitely getting sick. That coupled with her need to sneeze every 5 minutes or so had her telling the driver to change directions and drive her to the nearest pharmacy.
Minx paid the fare and got out. She entered the drug store with such haste she had no time to notice the two vulturous reporters were still on her trail. Slamming the car door on a cab of their own they jumped out and were in hot pursuit of the very profitable celebrity. Apparently they had grabbed a cab immediately behind Minx and the words " Step on it " and "Follow that car" were used.
Now, in the cold and flu section of the medicine aisle Minx was pacing back and forth. She hesitated to even pick up any of the boxes of medication. It was hard enough admitting she was sick to herself but here she was in public place. She loathed buying cold pills and found it ,like everything else that went along with being unwell,shameful.
She finally built up the nerve to pick up a package of Dimetapp. And almost at that exact moment she heard the unmistakable snap of a camera. She reeled around and was caught in the line of fire of a blinding flash. The sudden glare from the light angered her already sensitive nose and she immediately felt a gigantic sneeze coming on. It all happened to fast. She had not time to stop it. She dropped the box." HheHeahcheoow!!!" She was thrown forward with the sheer force! Her long hair, much like a title wave cascaded over her head. "Ohh no!! " Minx thought frantically out loud. " Not now!" Her nose was burning and tingling in a way that told her she was in for her most embarrassing moment yet. "Heerrashhaeah!!!!! Eehasheptchow!!! EheeAHEsshhh!!!! Her mind screamed for her to stop but her nose obviously had other ideas. Hmphahh!! EEEhhhTIshooo!. She simply couldn't stop. She was stuck there in the middle of the aisle. She was sneezing with too much intensity and frequency to move. The snap happy photographers were having a field day!!! In between sneezes she could hear their cameras going no stop. This was a humilation Minx did not think she could bare. yet she was unable to do a damm thing to stop it as she stood there and sneezed helplessly for what seemed like an hour.