#gelvaan

(Author Notes)

Panel 1: We see Imogen working at her job behind the counter of Faramore’s General Store. An elderly lady is attempting to describe what she wants without actually using any descriptive nouns. Frustrated, Imogen taps into her thoughts to get an idea of what she’s describing and finishes her sentences for her. A variety of things are on display: tools, bolts of fabric, barrels of apples and pickles, jars of candy, hanging horse tack, coils of rope, canned goods, lanterns. All during this conversation a family of several runny-nosed children is putting their hands all over everything, which makes Imogen wince.

Elderly Customer: Now, I need two yards of the red, you know, with the checks . . .

Imogen: Flannel?

Elderly Customer: And half a pound of the little round . . .

Imogen: Peppermints?

Elderly Customer: Yes, and three tins of the one . . . with the blue label . . .

Imogen: . . . Pomade?

Elderly Customer: No need to be so impatient, missy. I’m getting to it.

Panel 2: Next up is the mother of the several germy children, who slams down her shopping list. One of the children, last seen wiping their nose on the back of their hand, puts their hands into a jar of candy, which makes Imogen wince harder.

Karen: About time. I need two bottles of Zenotha’s Throat Elixir, a five-pound bag of rice, a braid of garlic, a jar of turmeric powder, a pound of coffee beans, and a dozen handkerchiefs.

Imogen: I’m afraid we’re out of throat elixir, ma’am, but I could place an order for you. What kind of handkerchiefs--

Karen: What do you mean, you’re out?? Why don’t you go on and check in the back?

Imogen: Sure, ma’am. Just a minute.

Panel 3: In the back. Laudna is there, taking inventory in a notebook.

Imogen: Hey, Laudna?

Laudna: Hmm?

Imogen: We got any more of that Zenotha’s Throat Elixir?

Laudna: Oh, no. We’ve been out of that for days.

Imogen: {sigh} That’s what I thought. Gonna get eaten alive out there.

Panel 4: Laudna absently pats a few sacks of dry beans on a shelf.

Imogen: You likin’ your new job?

Laudna: Oh, yes! Though it does get a bit lonely back here.

Imogen: Heh. Wanna trade? It is definitely not lonely out there.

Laudna: I think I could make a good shop girl! What do you think, Pâté?

Pâté: Got a face for customer service, you ‘ave.

Imogen: {sigh} I miss workin’ with the horses. They’re much easier to please. Panel 5: She goes back out, empty-handed, and starts compiling the rest of the order. The mother of the several germy children gets right up in her face as she yells at her across the counter.

Imogen: I’m sorry, ma’am. It’s out of stock. I can place an order for you and it’ll be here in about two weeks. In the meantime, would you like some lozenges, or --

Karen: Two weeks?? I can’t wait that long! My kids need it now!

Her Thoughts: worthless lazy girl I bet she didn’t even look what am I going to do now nowhere else has it useless useless useless

Imogen: I’m sorry, ma’am. It’s been in real high demand lately.