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Stories from the Verse
In Version
Chapter 192: Brown 353
Table of Contents
Previous chapter: Takano 143
Friday night Vashti learned to move heavy objects telekinetically; Tommy was working her way through the telekinetic skills as well. Derek talked about what he wanted to buy so that he could make the Avenging Angel a reality, but there were no fresh ideas.
Saturday morning they got an early start, Tommy guiding them around the city to find stores. Of the two things Derek had decided he needed, the second was simple--a small briefcase that looked very executive but was large enough to hold his chain, frying pan, and both knives in their sheaths. The belt, though, was proving elusive.
The problem was that it needed to work as a belt, be over sixty inches long, and look like a clothing accessory draped over his shoulders. They browsed through several clothing stores, both men’s and women’s, and a couple department stores, grabbing lunch at a Woolworth’s lunch counter (which Tommy commented brought back memories of another world). Nothing seemed to be available.
Finally Vashti said, “I could probably make something.”
“Make something?” Derek and Tommy said in unison.
“Yeah, probably. I would need a long strip of leather, some cloth, heavy thread, needles, maybe some embroidery cord, and scissors,”
“I think we can do that,” Derek said. "Where do we go?”
“There’s a sewing shop a few miles from here,” Tommy offered. “I haven’t been inside, but other than the leather I can’t imagine they wouldn’t have all that. But you know, I would bet most of it is right here in the Five and Dime.”
They finished eating and settled their bill, then browsed the store again, finding everything Vashti thought she needed.
“What about a pattern?” Tommy asked, looking through the sewing section.
“What’s that?” Vashti asked.
“Doesn’t matter,” Derek said; “they won’t have one for this. A pattern is a set of paper forms that you use to cut fabric to the right sizes and shapes to sew together to make something complicated, like a dress. What we want won’t be available that way.”
The most difficult piece was the buckle. Vashti had to look through several designs to find something she thought workable. This used most of the remainder of Derek’s cash, but he wasn’t planning on buying anything else before next week, so it wasn’t a problem.
They returned home late in the afternoon, and Vashti began working on her new project. “I guess,” she said, “maybe I am a support character.”
As to the old stories that have long been here:
