Fell's Bookshop
"Did he actually pronounce the capital letters?" he put his head to one side. "How did he say it?"
Muriel mimicked the tone the other angel had used ""The return of the Son. The Judgement. And so on""
"Oh, that's good" he smiled "the impression, not the tone. That's worrying"
"Are they really, really going to do it?" Maggie asked. "I mean it doesn't really seem like something the good guys do. Really?"
"Really." Crowley confirmed and nodded.
"And Mr Fell is going to be in charge? Of all of the death and not death?" she shook her head. "I'm going to have to say it again, really?"
"Not really." Crowley checked the street, through the window. A bus passed on the street. "Just trying to delay long enough. So they either loose interest or get caught up in the organisation and forget what the end goal is. Bit like the benefits system."
"Oh" she blinked.
Crowley gave her a second to take it in and then asked"You don't actually make money selling records. Statement. Not question. How would you like to branch out?"
"To what?"
"Fibre art supplies"
"Huh?"
"Going to start a weekly meetup. Making stuff, with mostly string and good intentions. Wool, weaving, sewing. It actually wins points for both good and evil. You've never seen a damned soul punished forever to drop stitches. Someone who finds that perfect colour thread? They will pay almost anything for it."
Maggie thought about it, "I don't know a single thing about crafting"
"Can you sell stuff that, no one actually wants and have to have any way?"
"Third generation"
"I need a room full of people, with sharp pointy things." Crowley looked suddenly serious. "Had a bit of news. Hell is sending a set of demons up. They are getting restless."
"And so speaks Anthony "Doom" Crowley. Can you come in with good omens rather than bad omens one day? Just for a change?" Nina sighed and Muriel snickered a little. "Do you want to ask me if I want to have a gaggle of caffeinated crocheters in my coffee shop?"
Crowley stood to leave "Would you, please, let me fill your business full of paying and repeat customers? Madness, I know."
"Least you haven't started asking demons in for mocha and scones" Nina looked relieved.
"Yeah, About that..."
"No." She was defiantly certain that a line was about to be crossed
"Too late. You already said yes." Crowley pointed out "We can't have them out in the open."
"But."
"If we keep the numbers even, they will be less trouble."
"Do they read?" Muriel asked.
"Read?" Maggie asked.
"Can I sell them books ?"
"Oh. You have picked up commerce. Well done that bookseller." Crowley grinned and sent a beep to her reader. "Things to do. Doom to spread. Average Thursday things"
"Bye" Maggie waved, as he left through the front door
"Toodle pip" he stopped for a beat and then continued move, with his normal swagger, into the street and away.