Coffee by gren blackall Page B

visitor’s pass at the Security Gate, and they entered the
Rotunda.
    The
smells of food rolling through the open space reminded her she was
quite hungry. “What time is it, anyway?” Etty asked.
    “About
3pm. Have you eaten lunch?”
    “No,
but that’s okay. Let’s get some clothes first.”
    They
headed across the marble floor toward some apparel shops in the
north east corner of the circular room. Marion provided more tour
information. “These are not full featured stores. McKinsey
and the other executives worked out a deal with these store chains
to have them open limited selection storefronts. What they don’t
have, they can get in one day, often less. We employees register
our measurements and basic tastes in a main computer, so if we call
ahead a day or so, they can look us up and bring in special stock.
It works out great.” They approached three store fronts.
“Where should we start, we have Women’s Apparel , Sports ....”
    “Women’s
apparel. I feel like an idiot without shoes.”
    Etty’s
mind started racing, and her heart beat increased. She knew that
this semi-public area provided the best cover for escape. Just
realizing this made her tense up.
    The
store was thin, with only five racks of clothes. Instead of a full
dressing room area, there were four small curtained closet-like
places along the back wall for trying on clothes. The single sales
lady was helping a woman near the front of the store. In the far
corner, she noticed a closed door. Outside access, she thought, a
way to allow deliveries and avoid the Rotunda.
    Marion
stuck to her like a dog on a leash. “What size are you, Etty?
You want some help picking stuff out?” A plan gelled in
Etty’s mind. She noticed a rack of 75% Off clothing
right in front of the fourth dressing room, nearest the closed exit
door. She quickly scanned the rack in front of her, and pulled out
two dresses her size. “No, Marion, thanks. I’ll try on
these.” She walked to the far wall, and disappeared behind
the curtain. Marion positioned herself, back to the 75% Off rack, facing the little room.
    Etty
laid the dresses on the small sitting shelf, with no intention of
trying them on. She wished she’d grabbed a pair of shoes, but
she was acting spontaneously and hadn’t thought out all the
details.
    She
moved her head from side to side until one eye could watch Marion
through the tiny crack between the curtain and the wall. Etty could
see Marion’s right shoulder, some of her hair, and her right
ear. She avoided her eyes, fearing Marion would see the sparkle of
light off her eyeball. She whispered ever so softly to herself,
‘Com’on now, Miss Personality, 75 Percent! There must
be something in there that you need.’ Etty stared
intently and yelled in her mind at the woman, almost hoping Marion
would get the message through brain waves. ‘Turn around!
S-e-v-e-n-t-y F-i-v-e P-e-r-c-e-n-t! Com’on girl. Loooook!’
    Marion
fidgeted at her post, transferring weight back and forth between her
feet. She stared at the curtain, but then began furtively checking
out the other women as they worked the racks. In a feigned stretch
maneuver, she glanced back at the rack behind her, just for a second
and then returned. Something must have caught her eye. ‘That’s
it, girl, there is one there, you saw it, so
cheap, so perfect, com’on, just a little check. How much was
it?’
    Suddenly,
Marion turned full around, and pulled back the dresses to expose the
one she had seen. She bent over and curled up a tag to read the
price.
    Etty
ran for it. The soft curtain and her stocking feet helped her
escape without a sound. Before leaving, she quieted the waving
curtain with her hand, and then darted to the door. ‘Unlocked!’
she shrilled to herself. Door open, out, door closed, all silently.
    The
hall on the other side obviously provided access to delivery people
dropping off goods to the stores in this quadrant of the Rotunda.
Black splotches and small holes