Page 41 of Kailirex

“He likes playing with Mylos shuttles and action figures?” I asked the mother and she nodded, smiling. “He does.”

“I would love to send them both the newest that is about to come out, if I may. I’m the executive producer of Playtime Fleet, the new educational children’s TV show that is about to begin production.”

“Please let him, Mama! I want a new saucer!” the young male wheedled.

“You don’t have to do that,” the father said, glancing at his son.

“It’s my pleasure. In fact, we are looking to cast children in the show. If it’s something you think you and the children would be interested in, you can let me know by mailing the address that will be on the card in the box containing the toys.”

“Oh!” the woman said, looking ecstatic. “Kelly was in the local Nutcracker back home in Minnesota. Everyone said she was a natural on the stage.”

The man gave a wry chuckle and held his hand out for me to shake. “I’m Jason Paulson, and you’ve met my wife Beth and our children Kelly and Luke.” I took his hand, shaking it. His grip was firm, but not harsh, a friendly gesture from a confident man. Releasing me, he reached into his pocket, pulling out his wallet. “I always carry a few spare business cards,” he said wryly. “Just in case someone needs to know how to get in touch with me.”

“It was one time, Jason!” his wife said, looking indignant. “And I thought I’d hit the shopping cart corral next to my space, not that man’s car behind me. If I’d have known, I would have told you when I came inside to pick you up.” She turned to me. “I had to go get him as his car’s battery died and he’d stopped to pick up milk on the way home from work.”

I decided the better part of valor was to say nothing, so that’s what I did.

“Here you go,” Jason said, handing me a slightly worse for wear business card with his name, place of work, and phone number on it.

“Thank you. I will be in touch once I return to the Fleet in a few days.”

We reached the ground floor and the elevator doors opened, the bright light of the sunny day outside enticing guests to come out and explore.

“Is that why you’re here?” Jason asked me as I walked to the exit leading to the shopping plaza. “The TV show, I mean.”

“Not this time. I’m here to attend a wedding, and my mate and I had to come straight here after visiting her father in the hospital, so we are quite without clothes. Fortunately, the wedding is beach smart casual, so I am able to get something suitable for us to wear both tonight and tomorrow for the wedding.”

“Oh!” Beth exclaimed. “We were just on our way to get Luke a new pair of water shoes as he lost one somehow. Would you like any help picking out clothes for your wife?”

I started to reassure her that I would be fine, then thought better of it. She would probably have a better idea on fit than I would. “If it is no trouble. She is taking a bath and I’d hoped to bring her something fresh to wear.”

“Oh, well, then we best get you sorted straight away!” Beth exclaimed and her husband nodded.

And so I found myself with unexpected new friends, helping me complete Mission: Possible Clothing.