Dreams -- Fiction; Fantasy fiction; Man-woman relationships -- Fiction; Science fiction; Short stories; Subconsciousness -- Fiction
"You're just loaded," growled Marc. "You can't stay here and I can't
turn you loose in that get-up." He indicated her brief costume.
"You could buy me some clothes," suggested Toffee.
Silently, Joseph shuffled into the room, halted just behind them and
fixed his eyes firmly on the ceiling. He cleared his throat with a bark
that would have done _Lassie_ all kinds of credit. Marc started from
his seat as though he had been kicked.
"Breakfast," announced Joseph in a voice that made it sound like a
direct accusation.
* * * * *
As the elevator door closed behind Marc and Toffee, a low whistle
issued from the cage. The operator had let them out in the basement,
whether from confusion or discretion, Marc couldn't be sure, but
decided that perhaps it was all for the best. By keeping Toffee low and
behind him, they managed to get to the car in the downstairs garage
without attracting too much attention.
Once out in the street, Marc felt better, but the ordeal to come had
him worried. Toffee had insisted on selecting the clothes in person.
"Now get what you need," instructed Marc, "but get it in a hurry. And
above all, get something to put on just as soon as we get inside."
Toffee nodded excitedly.
By repeating the crouch and run routine, they managed to get into the
store safely, and luckily it was still early enough that only a few
customers were about. Marc quickly hid Toffee behind a clothes rack and
went in search of an understanding saleslady. He spotted a neon marker
at the other side of the store that said: "Ladies' Ready-to-Wear," and
made his way in that direction. As he entered the department a tousled,
gray head jutted from behind a plaster figure and Marc started back in
alarm. Two beady, black eyes rolled crazily and the teeth were bared,
clenching an amazing number of straight pins. Slowly a gnarled hand
appeared beneath the chin and the mouth spewed the pins into it and
broke into a horrible grimace that was apparently meant to be a smile.
"I'm Miss Clatt." The small, piping voice sounded somewhat lost in the
horrible head. "May I help you?" Slowly the head moved from behind
the figure, dragging with it a small, well padded body, perched
precariously atop a pair of delicate pipe-stem legs.
"I need an outfit," stammered Marc. "A complete outfit."
"Oh," replied Miss Clatt disappointedly. "You'll find Men's Furnishings
on the third floor--just take the elevator."
"You don't understand," said Marc hurriedly. "It's a lady's outfit I
want."
Miss Clatt looked disapproving. "You'll find a theatrical costumer in
the next block."
"No, no, I want it for a lady. She's with me, waiting up front there."
Marc gestured toward the main entrance. "I'd appreciate it if you'd
hurry. She hasn't any clothes."
Miss Clatt's hand went to her throat and her eyes began to roll again.
"Naked?" she whispered.
"No, of course not," replied Marc with dignity. "She's wearing a robe."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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