The Sequence of Fate {NaNoWriMo2013} (completed)

Nov. 11: Ash Lockley

Step One: Obtain a tie. Preferably red.

Step Two: Drape tie under the collar of shirt, extending the wide end about 12 inches below the other end.

Step Three: Cross the wide end over the narrow one, and then pull the wide end behind.

Step Four: Bring the wide end up, and then pull it though the loop from Step Three.

Step Five: Bring the wide end to the front and tuck the narrow end behind, flatten softly with your hand.

Step Six: Obtain car keys, a suit-jacket, and shoes, preferably without laces.

Step Seven: Pull on shoes, and get out the door.

The steps of my morning repeat over and over, the petty memorization from years ago drills my brain relentlessly as I repeat the motions, but today is different, I can feel it. Yesterday was a big day, going to a large corporate company to ask for their investment was a big step for my business, Diamonds and More. I’ve always thought of changing the name but now that people are starting to invest in me… I’m stuck with this name.

I get in my car and drive into the dark morning, the sun barely peaking over the horizon. I shake my head trying to wake up more but I’m in desperate need of a cup of coffee before anything in my day can start moving along.

Once inside my store I begin setting up, Unlocking the safe and putting the diamonds back into place. The store window is slightly less opaque this morning and I try to think nothing of it but I know it’s not right. It’s almost hard to see outside. So I go out of the store and try looking in, only to find a thin layer of tinted plastic covering my window. Almost no one can see in unless they press their face upon the glass. I shrug deciding that the city ordered every store front to get it and I just hadn’t heard about it yet. I never check the mail anyways.

Soon enough I’ve had a cup, or two, of coffee and the sun starts rising high in the sky. Nearly 11 o’clock before my first customer steps inside. A small lady walks in and I greet her.

“Hello, how may I service you today, miss?” My elegance throws her off and she smiles as she looks around silently.

“I’m just looking.” She states and presses one of her long fingers onto the glass of one of the cases. I cringe as her fingerprint marks the glass; I walk over to her and offer to open the case.

“Oh, thank you, I’d like to look at that one.” She pushes her finger against the glass and I smile, fighting a frown.

“One moment.” I say and unlock the case. Soon enough I take her hand and push the ring onto her finger. She gazes at it longingly and sighs happily.

“I’ll take it.” Usually they put more thought into it but judging by her designer purse she can afford a quick buy. I ring her up and she’s on her way in no less than 10 minutes. Customers drop in and walk out many times before one of the buys again.

It’s nearly time for the lunch rush to be over and I start to wonder why so few people entered the store today. I look at the glass and notice how much darker it is in here now. That damn tinted glass is why no one has come in. I groan ready to rip it off before two girls stop in front of my shop, one pressing her face against the glass. Here we go.

“How may I help you two ladies?” I say as practiced and the black haired girl walks over to one of the cases, careful not to touch the glass.

“I’m looking at engagement rings.” The other girl stands frozen at these words.

“Rings? Engagement rings?” She says to the black haired girl.

“I have some fine ones over here, if you’d follow me.” I respond to the girl and walk her over to our moderately expensive case.