Tower Records

Strauss

Tower Records
September
1991

"I'm looking for Strauss.." The man smiled, as Lori felt her heart rate quicken.

It might have been the combination of his intense stare, and his soft words that made her feel warm inside.

They were side by side now, shoulders nearly touching, as he turned his head only slightly to look at her.

Lori played with her fingers, and swung side to side, trying not to be rude, as she failed to hold his gaze.

The silence in the store would have been deafening, if it wasn't for Courtney Love wailing woefully in the background.

She shrugged, and stared ahead into the aisle.
The bright store windows let lots of light in, as they both watched the midday slug of people walk by the store.

Time seemed to be passing slowly for Lori, as she realised that she didn't know who 'Strauss' was.

"Do you know who that is, sweetheart?" He asked, softly, chuckling.

Part of him, felt bad for her.
She was obviously wracking her brain to figure out what he had asked for.

If Strauss was a band, or one person.
If Strauss was maybe a new contemporary sound or genre.

She was at a loss to say the least.

Lori turned to him again, and felt her legs morph to jelly, at his bright smile.

His cheek bones were up, as he scaled her up and down, eyes dancing over her face.

This man seemed to find satisfaction in her lack of knowledge.

He nodded softly, waiting for her reply.

She nodded with him, "Not exactly.." She grinned back, pressing the tip of her nails into her palm.

The man nodded slower this time, closing his eyes briefly.

The way his lashes pressed against his cheeks.

Lori was sure he might be famous.
Or at least, in some kind of showbiz.

Lori's customer was poised.
Refined.

Not many who entered the shop needed assistance, really.

They just found what they wanted and left.

She only ever really helped elderly customers to find music or posters, or read the different signs scattered across the store.

"He's a composer.." The man spoke even softer now, as if to a child, or a pet.

He'd noticed her nervous hands, and felt that instead of telling her to find a new colleague, he'd see if she could help him out anyway.

Lori nodded again.
Still.
Nothing.

"Right, okay. Like classical?" She asked, clearing her throat, as the man brought up a big hand metres away from her face.

A high five.

"That's right!" He giggled, as Lori felt relief wash over her.

He wasn't mad.
He actually seemed quite chirpsy.

She quickly met his hand with hers and clapped, but had forgotten some of the stickers on her fingers.

They giggled, as he pulled away, flicking away some stray prices that she'd pressed up against his palm.