The Felinites

Chapter 12

Chapter 12

Abby's POV

On my way back to my cave, I walk by a store and hear loud arguing coming from inside. Lifting my head up from a page about inventions on Earth, I listen closer to the argument. After another moment, I slide down the pole leading into the underground shop to see what the commotion is. I find one Felinite sitting in front of a Servicer, claiming he could not fix it for the price that the shop owner is offering. I look at the machine. It is not projecting a holographic screen as it usually does

"I charge six hundred crystals just to search for the problem, Gordy" the repair man says.

"That is an unreasonable price," Gordy complains. "Do you even know if you can fix it?" The other Felinite does not reply. "Ha, you do not, do you?" the store owner accuses.

My eyes run from the machine down the length of the cords connecting to the wall. I had examined several of these yesterday until I had every inch of the Servicer memorized. Then I see it. The problem is a rip in a blue cord.

"It is an internal problem so I will have to take the Servicer apart and inspect it," the man tells Gordy.

"No, it is not," I say, walking forward. "The problem is right here," I nudge the tear in the cord with my foot. "All that is needed is a replacement of the blue cord, which is easily found in a repair store for a respectable price. A Fixer is not even required." I am proud of myself for properly speaking for once. I know plenty about what I just said.

"Could you fix the Servicer?" Gordy asks me.

"I have never tried to and would not want to ruin it," I answer.

"Please try," the owner begs, "I will pay you thirty crystals."

"That is too much," I protest, "The cord only costs fifteen crystals."

"The whole amount would be for your trouble. I will send one of my workers to the nearest repair store to buy the part," the store owner tells me. Then he turns his attention to a girl speaking with a customer, "Tia, I need you to go to a repair store and buy a blue cord. Be speedy," he tells her.

Tia finishes with her customer and Gordy hands her a tube of the three different colored crystals. Once she leaves, Gordy shoos the Fixer out the door. He then turns to me and gives me a smile.

"You probably just saved me around two thousand crystals. Harris is known for ripping off the desperate," Gordy informs me. "Can I get you anything while we wait for Tia to return? Would you like a glass of milk? Or do you want to sit?"

"No thank you," I answer, "I think I will start removing the broken cord so that will I can attach the new one as soon as possible."

"Okay, that is probably for the better," Gordy agrees.

I sit on the floor by where the cords all meet and plug into the wall. I find where the cord will disconnect and reach to pull it out. Then I think better of it and search for Gordy. When I spot him I wave him over. He quickly scampers my way.

"Is there another problem?" he asks worriedly.

"No, no, I just thought it might be safer if you temporarily shut off the power in your store," I tell him.

"Yes, of course it would," he acquiesces. I wait for the lights to go out before I busy myself with removing the damaged wire. By the time I remove the wire from where it connects at both the wall and the Servicer, Tia returns.