BOOKS “R” US
Listen to Jim:
or read on…
Reed Books Antiques/The Museum of Fond Memories…a day unlike any other day, but curiously familiar…
OUTSIDE THE SHOP
It’s like a bolero out there, everybody choreographing their unique dances to life…
Remon grabs another of his many daily smokes outside my shop, on the way to the smoking parking lot, where so many others leave their cigarette filters…relics for future archaeologists to uncover and puzzle over.
INSIDE THE SHOP
Everybody brings baggage, everyone has a story—even if unconsciously so…
Geoff drops by and donates a brass-and-velvet stanchion, so that I can place some psychological boundary between myself and the occasional hovering customer.
Carolynne picks up copies of the latest Birmingham Arts Journal to spread the gospel of art and lit.
Randy decides to read Hemingway and Faulkner and Fitzgerald. There is hope!
ACROSS FROM THE SHOP
I can see the parallel businesses and activities going about their cycles…
Rhonda soaks the cooling sun and smiles her wisdom, surrounded by shoes and artifacts.
The Maid of Metering carefully prepares penalty notices for people who don’t know the rules and mysteries of Downtown Parking.
MEANWHILE, BACK INSIDE
The imaginary reality of each customer swirls around them, influencing the way they see the shop…
Kid customer purchases an enormous football-shaped balloon.
A grown-up attorney takes the life-size Marilyn Monroe home with him.
Another kid customer buys a flashing red disco light for his room.
One woman ogles the Leg Lamp and Mortimer Snerd and Piggly Wiggly head in the display windows.
Yet another purchases a wind-up bunny astride a tricycle.
One customer selects old postcards and comes back for more.
Somebody else stays in the front corner for five hours and reads ancient love letters and cards from my grandfather’s old post office boxes. Her bliss is unmistakable. The names of my relatives in Peterson, Alabama are on each box.
A Regular ushers and tours her friend through the shop.
Giggles emanate from the back of the store. Collectibles entertain them.
One girl seeks and finds Gulliver’s Travels and carries her smile home with her.
And so it goes.
You go climb Mount Everest.
I’ll remain here and have much more fun
© 2010 Jim Reed