Clockwork

Chapter Three

Felicity had barely managed to finish arranging her stock before the first customer had arrived. Hunter had been very helpful and had insisted on inspecting each object as they were taken out of the sack. Eventually, he had stopped, much to Felicity's relief. She swore that boy would be the death of her.

"That will be $35, sir." Felicity said, motioning to the watch that a man had taken interest in.

"$35? You must be out of yer mind darling." The man said, starting to put the watch down.

"Oh no sir, it's quite reasonable. That watch will most likely outlive you."

"Oh yeah? How come?"

Felicity placed her hands on the table.

"The watch is made from an ancient method. It's run by clockwork, which was invented over 300 years ago." She turned the watch over to show an exposed panel. "You see here? These are cogs, they all fit together to make the watch work."

"Beautiful, I'm sure, but I'm not convinced it'll last." The man motioned to the watch. "This old technology must be pretty useless if no-one is using it any more."

"Oh, I have updated the clockwork mechanism. The cogs were originally made out of copper but I've managed to create exact replicas in platinum plated plasma ore. Strongest substance in the world!"

The man c****d his head, intrigued. "All right, missy. As long as I can return it in case-"

"All breakages are covered, all products insured. Just bring it back and I'll fix it. I don't think that it will be necessary," Felicity said, laughing nervously.

"That's $35, and could I interest you in-"

"Just the watch please. Thank you." The man interrupted, handing over the money. Felicity smiled, her pocket now considerably heavier.

"Have a good day, sir."

                                                                                                       *

"$867.67."

"Whoa Flicky, if you stack those coins, it'll be taller than you!"

"Moron. Still, not bad. I'll only get to keep half though, thanks to Patron Gulton."

"Bloody Patron Glutton. Poor little ikie Flicky. At least you have a roof at night."

"At least you get to keep what you make."

"Yeah, because street fighters make soooooo much money."

"It's not like you've ever lost a fight Hunter."

Hunter was a feared street fighter. Felicity enjoyed watching him fight, he was so graceful, dancing out of his competitor's reach. She often marvelled at the speed of which he would strike, taking a fully grown man to the floor in a matter of seconds. For a skinny sixteen year old, he was darn good at his job.

Felicity and Hunter were currently huddle by the fire at the local pub. Due to the January frost, Hunter had complained his way into getting Felicity to buy him a drink ("I mean, might as well make the total and even number. Be easier to split with Glutton, if you get me").

"So are you gonna be okay?" Felicity said, inhaling her hot chocolate.

"Hmm? Oh do stop sniffing your drink, just down it. You know I hate it when-"

"Are you gonna be okay?" Felicity repeated, her green eyes frosted with concern. "It's like -15 degrees out there and all you've got is a tent."

Hunter suddenly sat up, almost sloshing his drink all over him. "I'll be fine, you know. But you'll probably find Hunter the snowman in the morning."

Felicity chuckled. "You can come home with me. We'll have to sneak you in though, pretty sure Patron wouldn't like me having a boy around."

"It's not like I smell..."

"That's what you think."

"Hey!"

"Kidding. It's the coldest winter on record, I'm sure he'll make an exception."

"And Queen Avarice will start giving out lollipops. Let's be real, that guy hates me."

"You did break one of his windows."

"'Twas an honest mistake. I thought it was Missy Worthington's house."

"She lives on the other side of the village, Hunts!"

"All the houses look the same," Hunter grumbled. "Come on, let's go. Barman keeps looking at me funny."

Glancing at the barman, Felicity got up.

"Probably because we haven't paid yet."

                                                                                                     *

"If you snuff it, can I have the bike?" Hunter shouted in Felicity's ear, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Felicity let out a laugh, shaking her head.

"I plan on out living you."

"Not if you drive like this! Watch it! There goes that mailbox." Hunter shook his head.

"Stop ruining it. I know you love my driving."

"I assure you I do, it's just my stomach doesn't seem to agree with me."

Finally, they arrived at the entrance to the Patron's house. Hunter let out a low whistle.

"Damn, I forgot you lived in a fancy house. Makes the rest of us feel bad."

"It's not like it's the Shard. Now that's fancy."

"Posh Landmass 5 people live in it, of course it's gonna be fancy. You'd think they'd share some money with us, the bastards."

"Shhh, I see the Patron. Sneak in the back, there's a ladder, second window to the let, 3rd floor."

Felicity motioned to Hunter to go.

"Just what I need, more exercise." Hunter said under his breath. He sneaked off.

Grabbing her sack of leftover stock (thankfully it was quite light), Felicity locked her bike up and went to the front door.

Before she could even knock, the door swung open revealing a very red faced Patron.

"WHAT TIME DO YOU CALL THIS?" He screamed, causing Felicity to pale at his tone.

"Umm-"

"That's it. I take 3/4 of you pay as a punishment. Cough up. Now."

"But-"

"NOW."

Feeling tears of anger in her eyes, Felicity dug in her pocket for the money. The Patron snatched it out of her hands and hit her on the head. Her tears now stinging her, Felicity ran to the sanctuary of her room.

"That's it girl, run. You get what you deserve, rat." The Patron sneered, balancing a coin on his plump finger.

"Oh Midas, what a beautiful sight." he said, dropping the coin into the depths of his scarlet robe.