A Million Ways To Spend Our Time

Part Twelve: Penetrate The Evening That The City Sleeps To Hide

I couldn't help but follow Jim's lead as he walked out of one of the back doors into an alleyway. Robby and Aurora made small-talk as they followed behind us, and I was grateful for the ease we all felt now that John and Jim were not bickering. "So, where did you have in mind, Jim?" Robby looked up at Jim as he asked this question, and the look in his eyes reminded me how much younger Robby was than the others. I knew that Ray was the oldest in years and in mind, and suspected that this would be one of those evenings that depicted the mice playing while the cats were away. Jim gave Robby the most alluring, devilish smirk I'd ever seen, followed by that young boy's mischievous grin. "Let us go where the aura of the night takes us." Robby smirked. "Jeeze, Jim. You have to talk that way too now?" "Not always. I can be a lot raunchier." He looked me up and down as he spoke. Aurora chuckled watching him, noticing my face turning as red as a tomato as I tried to find something to stare at instead. "Alana, be sure to sleep in a separate building from him tonight. He's obviously been dabbling in cocaine again." "That wasn't the only thing, but good guess." Jim turned around on his heels, leading the way down the street. I had no choice but to follow him, unlike Robby who could come or go. "In that case, make it a different continent." I chuckled. "I don't think I can go that far away, Robby." We continued walking, and I noticed the moon was particularly bright. "Hey Jim, is the aura you're looking for still in the state?," Robby teased, developing a slight grin. "Yes, we're almost there." Robby shook his head while Aurora and I looked at each other smirking. "Why did I agree to this again?" "Because, you needed some excitement in your life, Robby. Ray's domesticated and John is just...." Jim's voice trailed off into the abyss, his eyes captivated by the sight of a doorway up a fire escape. "Where does that go to?," I asked as my eyes followed his gaze. "We'll find that out later. For now, let's keep going." Jim led the way once again at an agile speed as Robby rolled his eyes, clearly eager to reach our destination. We began to pass what appeared to be a hat and clothing shop, more on the side of costumes and antiques than typical outfits. I stopped for a moment, staring at a large pink-and-white soft hat. No longer hearing my footsteps, Jim turned around to see what had intrigued me. "Alana." I turned to look at him, the twinkle still in my eyes for a moment. I shook my head to regain my composure, closing my eyes quickly then reopening them. "Yeah?" "You want to try them on, don't you?" "Well..." I tried not to be embarrassed, and felt sort of in the spotlight. "They do look nice," Robby added softly. I appreciated his attempt to make me feel better, and saw that he had at least some insight to those around him. "They look more than nice. Very elegant." Aurora had always been great with retorts. Jim walked over towards the door, feeling around for a spare key. "Jim, what are you doing?" Robby had a quizzical look on his face as he watched Jim. "Do you still have that screwdriver you used earlier onstage?" Robby's face filled with confusion. "Yeah..." "Give it to me.""Why?" "Just do it." Robby pulled the screwdriver out of his pocket and handed it to Jim, who fumbled around in his own pocket fora paper clip. "How did you magically have a paper clip?" "I read a lot. Paperwork comes in them." Jim easily worked the lock with the paperclip while using the flat-headed screwdriver to keep the tension. Robby was torn between fascination and fear. I watched Jim intensely, not believing his adaptability and desire to push the envelope. I also couldn't bring myself to acknowledge how much of this dare he was doing to please me. Aurora stood calmly with her arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. "We needed some fresh action, Jim. Thank you." Jim looked up at Aurora. "My pleasure. Now would you guys care to go in before someone comes up?" He pulled the paper clip and screwdriver away from the lock, handing the screwdriver back to Robby. We all scurried inside the shop, eager to see what awaited us.

I could hardly believe my eyes once I surveyed the scene around us. There were articles of clothing I never could have come up with myself, like blue dresses with peacock-related decorations on them,and soft, pink felt hats with silver trimmings and bows. My hand gently grazed the pink hat, imagining myself in a yellow dress with silver earrings and pink shoes to match it. Robby, however, was still not over Jim's skills with a lock. "How in the world did you know how to do that, Jim?" He wore an incredulous look on his face as he stared at Jim for a moment. Jim shrugged, a corner of his mouth coming up in a grin. "I know a lot of things, Robby." Aurora had become fascinated with the jewelry section, complete with cuff links, earrings and bracelets. I did not even want to fathom how much any of this would cost somebody. Robby began looking at the coats and suits they had available for men, while Jim walked over towards me. "Found something fascinating?" "Yeah, this entire store." Jim smirked. "Anything in particular, though?" Jim picked up a large, black hat and swiftly put it on his head. Aside from you?, I thought to myself. "Yes, actually. Several things, but this one for sure." I touched a black and blue dress with roses embroidered on it, complete with a few sparkly sequins. Jim smiled dotingly watching me. I noticed his hat, smirking as I looked up at him. "What's up with you, cowboy?" Before Jim could reply, Robby stole the show as he appeared before us showing off overalls he had pulled over his clothing, complete with a straw hat. "Howdy, partner." He flashed a big grin showing his teeth. We all laughed and stared at him for a moment. "This is a nifty little shop," Aurora observed. "I agree. We will have to come here again when we have money." Not that that will be any time soon, I thought. I went over to the jewelry section where Aurora previously was, while Jim tried on a few jackets. Robby chuckled listening to Jim sort of create characters, and tried on several of the jackets himself. Aurora made her way over to the dresses, admiring one that was jade with a shawl that was a lighter green. Jim placed the black hat he had tried out on Robby's head, also deciding it was his turn to try on the overalls. I rummaged through a few of the jackets, smelling the fresh smell of leather coming from a lovely black one with buttons. After finishing with the overalls, Jim and Robby went over to what looked like a historical costume section. Aurora walked over to me, watching Jim and Robby role play as she shook her head. "Boys will be boys." "True. I don't know if they ever grow up." Aurora smirked. "Right?" We watched them for a moment longer, then decided to join them in the costume warfare.  Around thirty minutes later we had exited the shop, sure to put everything back in its proper place. Robby was once again dumbfounded watching Jim manage to lock the door from the outside, and we continued down the street in hopes of finding something else amusing.