I am not sure what brought this chapter on. I should mention that I didn't create S. & M. I really hope some of you know them ;)
Sarah remained seated upon the counter for several moments after the subtly dramatic exit of her visitor. Never in her life had she been so shocked by a kiss. A simple kiss had left her utterly breathless, which seemed incredibly cliché. She could have sworn that she saw stars and heard music in the background...of course she had left the radio on. Oh dear, she felt absolutely giddy, it really wasn't respectable for a women of her age to feel giddy, she chided herself.
Although she was all fuzzy inside when she climbed into bed, the haunting ballroom returned to disrupt her slumber, leaving her groggy the next morning, yet still cheerful. The shop was dead and she spent most her time daydreaming about the evening. Upon handing the store over to the next keeper of books at the end of her shift, Sarah had decided to journey down the street to a favorite vintage store in hopes of finding something perfect to wear. Her selections at the apartment were wanting. Most her date-worthy attire was stored at her parent's house. She had not the room, or until now, need for it.
Sarah rummaged through racks and shelves of outdated clothing once she entered the small shop. The store was always cluttered and it took great effort to undercover the hidden gems among all the aged debris. While searching around in trays of rings and other antique costume jewelry displayed on an old vanity, Sarah had the strangest sense of déjà vu. The shopkeeper popped up beside her unexpectedly and squeaked in a high-pitched voice, "Can I help you?"
Sarah, startled, jumped and nearly knocked a tray onto the floor. "What's the matter my dear?" The concerned shopkeeper squeaked.
"Oh, nothing. I am sorry, I was searching for something," Sarah felt as though she had held this conversation before. "I have a date tonight, I just wanted something special to wear."
"A date, oh how lovely. Wait here I may have just the thing," the small woman hurried into a small room behind the desk. In no time at all she reappeared by Sarah's side.
"Ta-dah," she opened a faded sapphire box revealing an ornate locket hung upon a silver chain. The woman offered the box to Sarah who quickly set about examining it. The locket wasn't a locket at all, but a lovely pocket watch that had been fastened like a pendent upon the long chain. "It is Edwardian, I only picked it up last night, what do you think?"
"I love it, but what made you think it would be perfect for a date?" Sarah smiled at the frizzy woman.
"Well, it will keep you from being late, and if you catch yourself looking at it more than your date then you know it's a bust," she laughed in the same squeaky way that she spoke.
"That is very true. I will take it," Sarah closed the box and held it close to her.
Feeling ever more positive, though slightly nauseous, about seeing Jay that evening, Sarah skipped back out into the cold air with her new treasure. Before she got very far a sign she didn't recognize caught her attention. Above her head swung a plaque that read Schmendrick's. Turning to the window beside her she noticed a large velvet curtain painted with stars. On display were several candlesticks supporting glowing tapers and a chalkboard proclaiming, "Fortunes, Fates, etc." It was a curious shop. Stashing the jewelry box into her bag, Sarah pulled open the door to the interesting location.
The shop was dim and a bell tinkled as the door closed behind her. Sarah had expected to walk into another thrift store or an oddity shop, the street was full of such establishments, but instead she found a chunky round table hidden from the sun by the velvet curtain. Sitting atop the table was an opaque orb resting on a claw-foot base.
"Welcome, I am called Schmendrick, the Magician. You won't have heard of me," a tall thin man of undetermined age appeared from behind the curtain. Sarah was conflicted, the man had startled her, but his uncanny looks and address nearly made her giggle.
"Please sit, I will look into the magic crystal-ball and demystify your future. My wife Molly, not a Magician, will get you a cup of tea. I can read the leaves for you at the end if you like, for good measure," the straight-faced fortuneteller ushered her into a seat and quickly took his own opposite her.
Sarah wanted to kick herself. She was truly caught in the Magician's web, he was such a funny figure, and she didn't have the heart to disappoint him of a chance to practice his craft. She ardently hoped that knowing her fortune would not cost her one.
"Molly dear, we have a guest, can you bring some tea?" called Schmendrick. Before he had finished a small mousy woman swept into the room carrying a brown pot and several cups.
"He roped you in did he?" she quipped while pouring steaming liquid into Sarah's cup. "He really is a hit and miss Magician most of the time, good luck," she threw over her shoulder, vanishing into the abyss beyond the curtain.
"Ah, first I must say the magic words," the man wriggled his fingers farcically above the orb. "Could you tell me what your magic words are, Miss? I've noticed they are different for everyone."
Sarah was holding her breathe in a desperate effort not to die laughing. She swallowed hard and tried to control her growing amusement at this turn of events. "Um, my right words?" she asked.
"Well, magic...right...whatever works for you," replied the Magician with the utmost seriousness.
Sarah thought hard, not really knowing what to say. "I wish…"
"Eureka! That's it!" Schmendrick nearly shouted. "People so seldom know the right words."
Sarah watched in amazement as the orb began to glow a blazing shade of dark green. The Magician again wriggled his fingers over the orb. "I see a reunion. Someone has reappeared in your life bearing a white flag, the last time you met was in disagreement, anger even. Hold on, there is something else. The person wears a hood, a cloak, they are unnamed, hiding in plain sight, a trickster." The orb began to swirl, now glowing white. "This trickster is a powerful opponent, they walk in two worlds. Ah! And one is filled with beady eyes."
The crystal ball began to dim and slowly went out. "I am afraid that is all we are to know," the Magician shook his head. "What a pity, I've not had such an interesting reading in a long while."
Chills ran up Sarah's arms and spine. She was no longer laughing. Although she hardly dared to believe what the man had said, something about the odd proclamations gnawed at her nerves. "What do you mean? What kind of a fortune is that?" she asked earnestly, hoping not to offend him.
"Well, the magic chose the shape, not I. I am a bearer, I am a dwelling, I am a messenger," the Magician nodded at her from across the table.
"You are an idiot, " called his wife as she reemerged.
"It means you need to watch your back because things aren't always what they seem," she refilled Sarah's cup.