by J. A. Areces
Chapter 3
The Wizard
At first Jesse ignored the man across the street; he just played it off as another weirdo dressed up early for Halloween. However, as it is with all freaky things it’s normal to just instinctively want to take a closer look. At first, Jesse resisted because he didn’t want to be caught looking but, ultimately, he did more than look; he stared. His hat isn’t from our store, he thought. Jesse forced himself to look away and returned to his laptop. He glanced out the window as a small boy knocked as he passed by and waved to Jesse. The stranger caught his eye again. He wore a grey pointy hat that flopped to one side, with a large wide brim that folded down in the front and back, covering most of the face and head. Cool hat, thought Jesse, as he wondered where the wizard purchased it. Quickly, he searched Yahoo and Google with no response to his key words, at least nothing similar to what the stranger wore.
“BEEP”
Another order came in and Jesse returned to work. An hour passed before Jesse looked up again.
A young girl and her mom came into the store looking for a broom. The round bell that hung from the door handle pleasantly rang as it usually did when the door was opened or closed. Jesse assisted the customers, and after a few minutes, the girl happily skipped out of the store with a new, novice broom, wrapped in dark purple paper with a large red bow. Jesse closed the door behind them.
The stranger was still there, facing the store. For a moment Jesse studied the stranger, thinking, how bizarre. The word “stalker” came to mind. Just then, Jesse thought he saw the stranger drop his head in a gesture of salutation.
“BEEP” Jesse returned to work.
At 5:00 p.m. UPS arrived at the front of the store, the driver obnoxiously sounded his arrival by repeatedly pressing on the horn of his truck. None of the packages were from Nicholas Fidgewidge so Jesse helped the driver with the packages that were placed next to the front door, and carried the new boxes upstairs, setting them before the office door. A large sign hung on the door that read, KEEP OUT. Jesse did just that. He demonstrated no interest and never even wondered what was inside. He knew it was Mr. Claw’s office and that was enough.
When UPS left, it was time to go home. Jesse turned the front sign around to reveal that the store was closed. Just then, “BEEP,” another new order. Jesse threw his head back, sighing out loud. Reluctantly, he drew up his chair and completed the order. Another hour passed before Jesse finally turned off the laptop and positioned the new orders next to the door for tomorrow’s pickup. He pulled down the blinds, turned off the lights, except for the front window and outside porch, closed the door behind him and locked it with the key.
When Jesse turned, the stranger was still there, across the street, underneath the light post still wearing his pointy hat, long, black coat and holding a staff. Options ran through his mind; he decided to just walk away and make nothing of it. Trying to act inconspicuous, Jesse checked his cell phone, only to discover one text message. Strange, he never heard it sound. He stopped on the porch and read the message.
“Hello from the stranger across the street.”
Jesse apprehensively glanced at the stranger. The stranger nodded his head.
Jesse changed his mind. Not sure why he did. It made no sense. The stranger could be dangerous or crazy or delusional, who knew. Jesse skipped down the steps and, after checking for oncoming traffic, crossed the street toward the movie theater. Once on the other side, he stopped parallel to the man in the pointy, grey hat.
“Jesse Alexander?” The stranger extended his hand.
“Hi.” Jesse responded, as he tucked his hands in his jean pockets. “Have we met?”
The stranger didn’t answer. He lowered his extended hand and grinned.
Jesse couldn’t make out the stranger’s face hidden underneath the large grey hat, which made him feel uneasy. It reminded him of an old gangster movie where the bad guys wore hats to appear tough. The stranger looked mysterious and very untrustworthy. All Jesse could tell was that he wore a moustache with a neatly trimmed salt and pepper goatee.
“I’m in need of a broom.” The man finally broke the silence. He was tall with an athletic built like someone who trained religiously, in perfect shape for an action hero movie, and the textbook deep voice to complement the package. His cloak, a cross between an old black and white detective movie and any cloak he sold in his store, fell down to his calves. Jesse thought it was amazing. Underneath, he wore a grey, long sleeve shirt with dark pants. Around his neck a blue stone hung from a dark leather string knotted in the back. “Do you sell flying brooms in your store?”
“Yes, I do. But I’m closed now.”
“Do you own the store?” His voice tensed.
“No, I don’t. I just work there. But if you come back tomorrow I’ll be able to sell you a broom; we have all types. And with that outfit, a broom would look great. You’re a wizard, right?” asked Jesse.
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“No, I mean, you do look like a wizard. That is a great hat. We don’t sell that style in the store. Nor do we sell that type of cloak. It looks awesome. It’s a cross between something out of a Bogart gangster movie and something I would sell. And that staff! WOW!” Jesse, while apprehensive couldn’t help but admire the outfit and couldn’t take his eyes off the wizard’s staff. It was long and made out of hard, light wood. Most of it was covered in leather strips and carved designs.
“I made it myself. I don’t know if you know this or not, but the best staff for a wizard is the one he makes himself. The wizard and the staff really bond better that way.”
Jesse blinked. “No…I didn’t know that.”
“Not many do. It’s because staffs aren’t used much anymore, but I favor them over wands.”
“Well, there you go. You learn something new every day.” Jesse nodded.
“You’re probably wondering why I’ve been standing here all day.” The wizard said.
“Well, that did cross my mind several times this afternoon. Hey, how did you get my cell number?”
“I wanted to get your attention.”
“Yeah, well, this is a really weird way to get my attention and it doesn’t explain how you got my number but, why didn’t you just go inside the store?”
“It’s complicated.”
Jesse shrugged. He wasn’t going to pursue it by asking more questions.
“Okay, then, I’ll come back tomorrow.” The wizard said.
Jesse watched as the wizard walked away, his dark cloak flowing behind him, and the staff tapping the pavement with every stride. “Very weird,” whispered Jesse under his breath; then turned to leave.
Monday
The next morning Jesse drove his motorcycle up to the curb in front of the Deli on his way to work. The Deli was his usual morning stop, not because the sandwiches were the best in town, or that they were cheap; it was because Jesse fostered feelings for Cindy.
Jesse enjoyed flirting with Cindy. She was about his age and very pretty. She wore her long, blond hair in a ponytail and smiled at Jesse’s jokes. Jesse intended to ask her to the Halloween festival. The Deli in the morning was becoming a routine. He bought a tall non-fat latté as he chatted with Cindy about anything and everything. It didn’t really matter. Then he would return for lunch midday and chat some more.
Jesse swung his leg over the bike and stepped onto the sidewalk. He removed his helmet and pulled back his straight, brown hair as he entered. He was glad to find Cindy looking prettier than ever already behind the counter preparing for the day. Even better was the fact that the diner was empty allowing Jesse undisturbed time with Cindy.
“Hi”
Cindy turned and smiled. “Hi,” she said as she walked over to the coffee machine, “the usual?”
“Yes,” Jesse said as he sat down at the counter.
Cindy worked the machine as it steamed the milk into a large container.
“How are you today?” she asked.
“I’m Okay, just hanging. Nothing new, I guess. The store is busy because of Halloween.”
Cindy served him the steaming coffee, leaning close on the counter. For a moment they just looked at each other and smiled.
“Are you planning to go to the Halloween festival?” Jesse asked and then quickly took a sip from the hot coffee mug. It burned his upper lip and he pulled back in pain causing some coffee to spill on his jeans.
Cindy giggled and handed him a napkin. “Be careful, it’s hot.” She warned.
Jesse wiped his lip and his lap.
“Yeah, I wouldn’t miss it. I love to dress up, don’t you?”
“Nah, I’m not very big on Halloween, but I was thinking of going…”
The door opened and a young couple entered the Deli. Cindy turned away from Jesse and immediately went into work mode. She quickly pulled out her order pad and pencil as she explained the morning breakfast special. Jesse watched her in a semi-trance. The door opened again and three elderly women entered the Deli. They fussed over where to sit and what they each were going to order. The largest woman complained about her weight; the one that wore a funny hat bemoaned about her high blood pressure. The third lady in the wrinkled dress fretted about everything else. Jesse concluded that his quiet time with Cindy was over and decided to leave. He took his coffee, paid at the counter and waved to Cindy as he passed her on his way out. She waved back with a smile. Jesse told himself that she liked him. He would just have to return later to invite her to the Halloween festival.
Jesse arrived at Alivan’s Wizards and Witches Corner Store at 9:00 a.m. He parked his motorcycle in the back, underneath the large, shady tree. Once inside, he unlocked the front door, flicked on the store lights, pulled up the blinds and turned the sign around on the door to read OPEN.
The wizard was standing across the street. Jesse found it very odd that he didn’t notice him before. He shrugged it off, concluding that he was probably still thinking about Cindy and just didn’t see him standing underneath the light post.
Jesse made his way through the store. There was something about the old house early in the morning that always made Jesse feel at home. The way the morning light filters in through the large windows made Jesse think of champagne. Everything looked different, fresh and clean. He could live here. He enjoyed the same thought every day, and it was always at about the same time and around the same place in the store -- at the foot of the steps. Jesse glanced up to Mr. Claw’s office. That would be my bedroom.
The boxes at the top of the steps were gone and a few new hats hung on the wall. A new, novice broom replaced the one sold yesterday to the young girl and her mom. Jesse made his way to the front desk, placed his helmet on the floor behind him, and turned on the laptop. The familiar starting sound informed him that it booted up. Reluctant to start taking orders, Jesse glanced out the window and saw the wizard still standing in the same spot; grey, pointy hat flopped to the side, grey shirt, long black cloak and staff in hand.
Why doesn’t he come in? Jesse asked himself.
“BEEP”, a new order arrived, followed by another and then another.
Jesse looked out the window midway through the morning. The persistent wizard was still there. Pulling his hair back, he made his way to the front door and opened it. The small bell playfully rang as it swung from side to side. Jesse stood at the door and waved to the wizard who waved back, but didn’t move. Jesse waved for him to come in. The wizard waved for him to come over. “Oh brother,” Jesse complained, closed the door behind him, and crossed the street.
“Why don’t you come in?” asked Jesse, “We’ve been open for a few hours already.”
“Are you inviting me in?” asked the wizard.
Jesse thought about the question. “Yeah, I guess. Mi casa, su casa.” He said with a smile as he shrugged his shoulders.
“Wonderful, I accept your invitation.” And with that, the wizard hurried across the street into Alivan’s Wizards and Witches Corner Store. The bell cautiously sounded as the door closed behind them.
The wizard removed his pointed hat as he entered the store and laid it down on the counter revealing short black hair with grey highlights that ran up his sideburns and around his ears, bushy dark eyebrows and dark eyes that twinkled as the scanned the store. He smiled when he saw the different brooms that hung on the wall.
“Very nice” He said as he approached the wall. Jesse followed. “You do have a large variety of brooms from novice to very professional - - excellent.” Jesse stood back carefully observing his guest. He slowly passed his hand over the novice broom with his left hand; his right hand never letting go of his staff. “I learned how to fly on one like this.” There was a childish tone to his words. “I ate it bad - - right into the side of a parked Volkswagen buggy.”
Jesse laughed. “Boy, you really play the role well.” He turned and went to his seat behind the desk.
The wizard turned to Jesse. “What do you mean?”
“You almost fooled me - - like you could really fly on a broom.”
“Haven’t you?”
“POP”
A small window appeared on the upper left corner of Jesse’s laptop computer screen.
CLAW: Hello.
Jesse hesitated for a moment. This is the first time that Mr. Claw tried to communicate with him other than through email.
JESSE: Hello.
CLAW: Are you busy?
JESSE: Yes. I’m helping a customer who wants to buy a broom.
The wizard turned and faced the front desk. “Is that your girlfriend?”
“Nooooo,” Jesse glanced at the wizard, “my boss.”
CLAW: I just wanted to let you know that we are doing very well this month with sales and I will be giving you a bonus on your next paycheck.
“Yessssss! He’s the best.” Jesse made a fist and brought his arm into his side as a victory gesture.
JESSE: Thank you, sir.
CLAW: I’m expecting a package from Lord Alex Distribution Inc.; please send me an email as soon as it arrives.
JESSE: Yes, sir.
Jesse then remembered.
JESSE: By the way, sir, what did you think about my costume contest idea?
CLAW: Yes, wonderful idea. However, not this year, there is too much going on. The annual Halloween festival is enough for right now.
Claw has just signed off.
The wizard turned back to the broom wall, “I thought you were the boss?”
“Noooo, I only work here.”
“How long?”
“About six months…”
The wizard turned and faced Jesse, still holding his staff. “Six months? Have you undergone your review yet?”
“Nope, but my boss is happy with me. He’s going to give me a bonus for increasing sales.”
“Congratulations, that sounds like a very nice boss. What’s his name?”
“Hey, why all the questions?”
The wizard smiled and turned back to the wall. “Which is the fastest and latest model? I figure if I’m going to start flying again, I want the best.”
“That would be this one here.” Jesse made his way to the broom wall and reached for a slick broom. He took it and handed it to the wizard, “It’s the fastest broom you’ll ever fly.”
The wizard took the broom in his free hand. He slowly looked over the broom obviously admiring its craftsmanship. “It is beautiful.” It was strong and light, made out of dark wood and hand carved for aerodynamics. The grip at the top curved for better control and the sleek, layered corn stalk with brass brackets allowed less wind resistance than other models. This was indeed the Porsche of flying brooms. “Cool,” He whispers to himself. “What’s it called? Can I test fly it?”
“It’s called the Stealth and no you can’t test fly it!” Jesse shook his head. Is this guy for real?
“How fast does it go? How high can it go at its top speed? What about drop speed? Can it stop on a raindrop? I heard they could with an experienced rider. What about warranty? I would have to be able to test fly it first. You don’t expect me to buy a broom without test flying it first.” The wizard still held the broom in his hand. “Have you flown it yet?” The wizard acted like the kids that came by the store after school full of excitement and wonder.
“What? Me? Are you kidding me?”
There was no answer. The wizard waited for a response.
“Sir, this broom is not real. It's a prop, straight from the movies. They don’t fly. I don’t fly.”
“You’re not a wizard?”
“Nooooo.”
“You’re not the owner?”
“Noooo. I just told you I have a boss.” Jesse was back at his desk already impatient with the wizard.
“Then why are you here?” The wizard asked out loud but was really talking to himself. He rested the broom against the wall.
“I work here.” Jesse replied.
“BEEP”, another order appeared on the screen.
“Are you going to take the broom?” Jesse turned to his laptop. The wizard was making his way across the room to the front door. “And, we also sell magic wands. Would you like to look at those?”
The wizard was not listening; he was mentally somewhere else, deep in thought. His eyes glancing in different directions, but not focused on anything or anywhere. Then he stopped. He turned and followed the steps to the top and studied the locked office door. There was a box in front of the door. “What’s up there?”
“Mr. Claw’s office,” Jesse responded.
“Does the mail come in his name?”
“No, everything comes in my name.” Jesse found the questions unusual.
The wizard stroked his goatee. He stood in the middle of the room staring up the steps very pensive. Then he quickly turned.
“Jesse,” he said, as he hurried towards the front door. “I am still interested in that broom, but you have to figure out a way that I can test fly it.” He grabbed his hat and placed it back on his head. “And I don’t need a wand. I’m old school and prefer a staff.” He turned toward the front door and took hold of the handle. “I’ll tell you what. I need to go, but why don’t we get together again tomorrow morning and we’ll continue our conversation.”
“Okay,” said Jesse, trying to look busy; upset because he revealed his employer’s name. Mr. Claw gave Jesse specific instructions not to give his name to anyone who came asking. Mr. Claw was a very private and wealthy person who did not want to be bothered with hecklers or beggars. It was the only request that Mr. Claw was very adamant about. “Do I need to go get you across the street, or will you come into the store by yourself?” he asked the wizard.
“I can’t come into the store unless the owner invites me in, Jesse. There is a powerful enchanted security system that keeps uninvited Wizardry out. It’s called an Emunio Concutio. However, I’m a little confused because you are not the owner, yet, you invited me in and I wasn’t affected.” The bell sounded as the wizard opened the door and turned to leave. “I’ll see you tomorrow morning at 8:30 next door, at the coffee shop for breakfast. Don’t be late.” The door closed behind him and the bell sounded several times.
“BEEP”
A new order from Mily Breezy appeared on the screen.
“BEEP”
A new order from Yolanda Roundbottom followed.
I wonder where Nicholas Fidgewidge has been, thought Jesse. He hasn’t placed an order lately.
