Prompt: A clock-maker was commissioned by a client to make a piece that is unusual because of ___. The client is very specific about the day and time they will come to collect the piece, but when the day comes, the client never shows up. Trying to get into contact with the client, the clock-maker discovers ___. Lines to use: “Yes, but what are you doing at the Eiffel Tower at this hour?” and “What have you done to my hat?” (Time Limit: 20 Minutes) Prompted by @amanda-writing
Gabriel sat at his workbench, reaching close to the end of his shift as he poured over a wristwatch, a small tool between his teeth as he pushed one of the magnifying lenses down to see the tiny mechanics inside better. He slipped a piece into place, and just like magic, the piece started ticking. He took his glasses off, and gently put them on the table, and packed up his bag to leave for the evening. He clicked the light off in his cluttered shop and was about to make his way to the door, his dog lazily getting up and following him when the shrill sound of his old phone rang through the shop.
Gabriel flicked the light back on and moved back over to his desk, picking up the receiver.
“Mason and Son’s.” Gabriel said. There was silence on the other end and for a moment, Gabriel thought it was a prank call. He was about hang up when a voice finally came through, distorted and crackling.
“Gabriel?” It was a man’s voice. “I would like to request a commission of your work. I had looked for your father but …”
“Yes … I’m open for commissions. What type of piece are you looking for?” Gabriel asked. His father had been dead for seven years now, it wasn’t strange that people still saw him as an ill replacement, and with no siblings to assist him, he was the sole owner of Mason and Son’s. “Would you be able to come by the shop tomorrow? We can discuss it then.”
“I’m afraid I am unable to make it. I am in Paris, in my present Eiffel Tower.” The man said making Gabriel tilt his head in confusion. The man spoke strangely. He glanced at the clock. 7:13 PM …. It was 2:13 AM in Paris … “Would I be able to email you the information?”
“Yes, but what are you doing at the Eiffel Tower at this hour?” He asked.
“I will email you the information then … And when you are finished, I will pick it up on Friday, at 3:07PM, no sooner, no later.” Gabriel again looked confused. That was oddly a very specific time.
“Okay … I’ll-” Gabriel stopped when the line abruptly went dead and he realized for the first time that he didn’t even know the man’s name. He supposed he would include that in the email. Though he hadn’t provided him with his email, which he also found curious.
Gabriel shook his head, it wasn’t as if he had a phone number to call him back at. “Come on Dino.” Gabriel said reaching for his hat on the coat rack, before he paused, realizing it wasn’t there. He looked down at his hat which was on the ground and covered in drool. “Dino.” He said annoyed as he picked it up. “What have you done to my hat?” He asked, shaking it off before quietly leaving the store.
The next morning Gabriel had arrived at the shop at seven AM as he always had, made himself a cup of coffee, and upon remembering the man from last night, he checked his email. Sure enough, there was an email. A very generic email.
[email protected]. This had to be a scam. As he read through the request, he absolutely knew it was a scam. This made no sense. Everything was very specifically sized to half the size of a standard pocket watch … Where would he get the parts for it? And he wanted it in only three days? This was insane. Reaching the bottom of the email … It got even more strange.
Requested in the piece, was a ‘liathem gem’ to be placed into the front plating of the watch. A what? At first he thought perhaps he meant lithium but that still wouldn’t have made sense. A quick google search showed that no such a gem existed.
He shook his head, and moved away from the computer to work on another project, leaving this scam behind him.
Almost as soon as he picked up his present piece, he heard the computer bing. Another email.
“You are wasting time on that. You have only three days.” Gabriel looked around the room, and glanced out the window at the empty street. Was someone watching him? He closed the curtains quickly, and moved back to the desk. Picking up the old cuckoo clock again, there was another ping from his computer.
“You are not listening to me.” The email stated simply. This had to be coincidence. Someone playing a prank on him, knowing he would not actually do the job. He closed his computer, and went back to the bench. He’d deal with that later, perhaps go to the police if it persists.
His cell phone vibrated in his pocket, and knowing he did not have access to the internet on his phone, assumed it was his mother checking in on him as usual. He pulled out his phone, flipped it open and paused.
The phone number it came from was blocked, but the text message simply read “The police cannot help you.”
Gabriel felt numb as he looked around his shop. There was no way this person would have known he’d thought that. He hadn’t said it out loud … He had no idea what was going on, but a sense of unnaturalness came to him. He slammed his phone down on the table. No …. No he’d just leave the shop, he’d go for a walk … Take a breath … This had to be a dream …
His phone buzzed again and Gabriel shook his head. He wouldn’t answer it … He wouldn’t. But he was drawn to the sound as if he had no choice. He picked up his phone again and slowly flipped it open.
“You must not waste time Gabriel … Our father’s life depends on it.”
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