Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Chapter 12 begins

     New Years Eve came and went as did Xavier's sisters, but not before the girls kept their promise to Norman. On the 2nd and 3rd of January they had both floors of Norman's shop and residence, stripped, primed and painted. Downstairs in the shop it all was ultra modern, stark white walls, chrome and leather chairs, glass topped coffee table, with the key making machine displayed on the front counter, looking more like a work of art than a piece of equipment. Installed along the left wall a bank of post office boxes in a brushed nickle finish, the odd green, tall, potted palm every now and again placed in the corners. Norman was well pleased with the bright futuristic feel of the space. Upstairs was a calming, cozy, mini- Shangrila, with a warm rich earth tone painted on the walls called 'Baghdad Red', curtains in an golden orange color hung from the long bank of windows, sandalwood scented candles in huge iron lanterns hung from the ceiling. Serena had placed a long, carved, wooden screen down the center of the room; which separated the silk cushion covered couch and the blue and white tiled dining table from the massive Oriental inspired four poster bed Felina had purchased at The Conran Shop for Norman. All was well in London Towne for Norman Pierce.
     Spring came early with a crispness to the air and bright blooms covering the parks in the city, it had so far been a very good year business was going well for Norman. By April he had an Automated Teller Machine installed, along with an I.B.M. copier machine, as well as a new fax machine, all to provide his customers more services and make a little extra cash. And with the money he and Xavier split from the stolen items from Sean's; which they sold off to Harry for around four grand, Norman had alot of extra money to invest in his business. No harm in that. Meanwhile, Xavier buckled down and studied hard for the last semester excelling in all his classes. However, the weekend would always find him hanging out, upstairs at Norman's having a few pints, trying out the three foot, solid brass, hand made Hookah pipe from North Africa Serena included with the decor. Friday's they could be found down at the local pubs and clubs listening to the latest bands on the local scene, picking up chicks taking them back to Norman's nicely decorated flat, the birds were always in a word, Impressed. Norman never felt better about himself or the course his life was taking.
     Now there came a day at the end of May, on a hot and unusually humid Friday evening, Norman was at his shop busy helping the new counter girl, he was at long last able to hire, when suddenly Xavier came in seething with rage, his eyes as wide as saucers, a deep flush of red to his face, his brow furrowed with a deep look of anger and confusion.
     "Xavier? What's the matter my son?"Norman said as he stepped away from the work he was doing, grinding out a set of keys for the old man sitting on the sofa, reading a magazine.
     "I am going to kill him!" Xavier shouted as he lifted his fists clenched in balls of rage.
     "Who? What.., has happened!?" Norman said as he came out from behind the counter and ushered his distraught friend up the back stairs to his flat.
     Xavier turned on the narrow staircase and shouted "Teddy, fucking, Maxwell McDowell!" Xavier said as he turned back up the steps Norman pressing him upstairs having no idea who this asshole Teddy was.
     "Let's get you upstairs, get some Johnny Walker in you, and you can can clue me in." Norman said as he set his enraged friend down on the sofa pouring Xavier a high ball of soothing whiskey.

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