Ever stood there on the corner of a busy intersection looking around. Guess I need to ask for some directions. For some reason, people walked fast here, much faster than the people near the ice cream shop and the cemetery.

  He reached out tentatively with a hand, as if hoping to grab someone by the shoulder passing by.

  Um quick tip, you probably don’t want to be touching random strangers. Death piped up. Try just saying ‘hello’.

  *Thanks, Mentor.*

  Ever spotted a woman wearing a blouse and matching two-piece suit walking right towards her. She carried a black bag that had handles. It swung forward and back, alternating with her footsteps.

  “Hello,” Ever said, reaching out to the woman.

  The woman saw Ever, gave him a quick look up and down and stopped. “Yes?”

  “That’s a nice bag,” he said, pointing at her accessory. “Could you tell me where you bought it?”

  Her tight, polite smile immediately relaxed into a genuine one. “Oh, thank you! I’m glad someone noticed. I picked this tote up from Myer.” She took a few steps then pointed down the next street. “Go in, take the escalator up, then it’s the first building to your left. They’ve got a sale on now, you should definitely check it out.” Her eyes flickered down to Ever’s hands. “Are you thinking of buying a gift for your girlfriend?”

  Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  He shook his head. “I don’t have a girlfriend, this is just for me.”

  —--

  Ever took 10 minutes to work up the courage to take the escalator, standing to the side as he watched people getting on. He scurried off once he got to the top. True to the lady's word, Myer was the first shop to the left.

  Ever walked in, looking at the map. It didn’t take him long to find the women’s bags section, which was on the right hand side. He wove his way around the display area, looking at the various bags that were there. After looking through all of them and not finding one that looked like the one the lady had, Ever stood back, crossing his arms.

  “Can I help you?” A store assistant asked. Ever looked at her. The woman was older, with gently lined skin and kind, soft eyes.

  “Hello Candice,” Ever said. “I’m looking for a tate bag.”

  “Do you mean a tote bag?”

  “Yes.”

  Candice shook her head slightly. “I’m afraid we’ve sold out of all of them in all colors. They were very popular. What did you need it for?”

  “I need it to hold cash.”

  “Cash?” She asked, “Why?”

  “I need somewhere to put my pay, the other bag is going to run out of space.”

  “People usually put cash in wallets,” Candice said. Little creases appeared on the corners of her eyes as she smiled.

  “Wallets? Are they as big as tote bags?”

  “Umm… why don’t you go to the men’s section?” She said. “Sorry, I have to help that lady over there.” With that she was gone.

  Ever frowned. “She didn’t answer my question.” He made his way back to the map, but not before something caught his eye. 20 minutes later, he left Myer with his purchase, but it wasn’t a bag at all.