BAGLESS
“For Keeps”
Chapter 1 ‘The Journey'
With exhilaration Maverick’s feet pattered beneath him, pushing a 105 pounds of excitement another step closer to Bernie’s Marvelous Marbles shop. Bernie has been talking about a new shipment from ‘Marbles Mercury’ for weeks now that is supposed to arrive today.
Normally Maverick would still be listening to Buck Rodgers or trying to catch the beginning of Lone Ranger’s broadcast on his Zenith L600 radio but not this morning. Through his window a black ford drove away from his mailbox after lifting the little red flag. A week ago, Maverick talked Bernie into letting him know when the shop was expecting ‘Marbles Mercury’’ to deliver. After much deliberation they agreed to use the carrier signal flag on Maverick's mailbox as it was the least intrusive form that could be thought of. While brushing his teeth and walking through his bedroom to turn on the radio Maverick had spotted the signal standing tall outside his bedroom window. Grabbing onto the leather bag of marbles from his bedside, Maverick rushed downstairs and out the front door.
Loudly announcing behind him “heading to Bernie’s.”
The brisk morning was made abundantly apparent through the visible fog streaming out from Maverick’s nose as he crossed over Rosemary Street towards Archdale Boulevard. He could see the road sign just past the church on the left. Amazed by its uniqueness, Maverick takes in the vintage sign hanging over the shops stoop. It was odd how it appeared to fit in even though it was tacked up on one of the oldest homes in the neighborhood with what appeared to be a single nail in each corner. Often, Maverick, or Mav for short; would ask why the store feels more like a dwelling than a business.
Bernie would just smirk and say the same thing every time. “What you collect can often be the sum of who you are. This is both my hobby as well as my life’s work. You see an old home while I see a library of knowledge that is priceless.”
‘Bing-bong’, the door chimed as Mav pushed through into the main foyer. The room was garnished with knit knacks and bobbles that were strange even by a collector’s point of view. A pair of microfiber cloths as large as a beach towel hung next to the door where a coat rack would be. Several laces of fine twine and thicker ropes draped over the top rack where a hat or scarf would normally lay. The decor on the walls depicted streets filled with oddly clothed individuals and families. From just the glimpse it appeared Maverick’s hobby was far from a niche spectacle as everyone in the photos possessed varying styled bags that displayed a multitude of colors at their waist belts and girders.
The sound of boxes tumbling, and something being shattered broke Maverick’s attention -
“Wretched thing, how did you get in here… I swear! Oh yeah, is that all you’ve got? I’ve got you. Out with you now. “
“Excuse me Maverick” said Bernie as he clambered into the room darting towards the door with what appeared to be a snake hanging from some twine looped around its neck. Bernie was holding it just out of his reach as it hissed and snapped rapidly towards the agile old man. Opening the door, he flung the near 4-foot snake outside. Clutching his chest, he slid down against the wall to the small waiting bench. His fancy spectacles had slid down the bridge of his nose, teetering on falling off. Bernie harrumphed, pushing his glasses back on while getting to his feet.
“Would you believe it? A snake on all days. A SNAKE! Heaven mercy’s it's not like me to be superstitious. But why today?” -said Bernie emphatically as he made his way back to the makeshift counter that was outlined by the ascending staircase that boarded the room.
“Boy today is an exciting day. Not just for me but for you as well. The loot is the most interesting I have seen yet.” - Bernie said as he dipped below the store front.
Still standing in the foyer, Maverick walked towards the counter while looking around the shop. Weaving between small rows of transparent towers that housed hundreds of marbles Maverick’s eyes flittered throughout the room. Within each tower panes of glass with divots layered from floor to ceiling resembling clear Chinese checker boards.
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Glancing through the cases he checked to see if any of them had been disturbed or if a new pane of fresh cut glass decorated the always changing assortment of minted marbles. Counting the rows, it was clear everything was polished and reserved in the state it was from his last visit. This recount was explained shortly after when Maverick focused on Bernie who was unpackaging a small cardboard box from under the till.
“Ah, yes Mav. Today is the day of new tomorrows.” -exclaimed Bernie as a hand shot up from below the counter patting a felt covering which softened the wooden countertop.
Grabbing a letter opener from beside the tip jar his hand disappeared beneath the counter again. With more spring than you would expect to find in an elderly man, Bernie shot up, hands first; and placed a cedarwood box upon the felt. Staring at the box, Bernie pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose.
“Mav... did you happen to bring your bag?” Not ever glancing over to Mav he continued speaking as if he was stuck in thought. “Mav, I hope you did. The shipment from ‘Marbles Mercury’ arrived just ahead of me finding that blasted snake. I do believe they were both delivered together” - Bernie paused- “Odd, Maverick you’ve been mighty quiet today.”
For the first time since being at the counter, or you could say since Maverick entered the store; Bernie looked at Mav. A grin slowly pulled his wrinkled face taught. Like his, Mavericks eyes were glued to the unopened box on the counter.
Maverick’s mind was racing. He stammered and mumbled thoughts faster than they could possibly be answered.
“Are, are they in the box? How many did you get? Do they tell a story? Ber- “
“Let’s find out.” Bernie interrupted with a wistful tone.
“I was just about to plate them when well, you saw it for yourself at the front door. Now let me grab a setting plate,” said Bernie.
Without opening the box, Bernie set a glass pane carefully upon four worn stones that seemed fixated to the counter. Shaped like a diamond the stones supported the glass that would hold the new marbles after they were cataloged and polished. The pane comprised of a thin sheet of glazed glass that had small divots that prevented the marbles from rolling while securing them in place. Bernie treated each specimen like it a work of art meant to hang in a museum. No expense was withheld when it came to storing and maintaining every marble that entered Bernie’s Marveled Marbles.
As Bernie placed a hand on each side of the box, my attention was drawn back to Bernie’s face as I could feel an excitement greater than my own emitting from his being. A glow shined within his spectacles as he said
“Maverick, before I open this assortment lets run through what you know. Not just about marbles, but specifically about ‘Marbles Mercury.’”
This was a test that Bernie and Maverick would account for each time they opened a new delivery. It was as if this was a payment of sorts for him allowing Mav to see the selection before anyone else. Not that any other customers enter his shop.
Stalling… Maverick recalled failing this test a few months ago and Bernie refused to show even a glimpse of the shipment that day. He went as far as to refuse to add those marbles into the cases. Fearing that Mav would miss today’s opportunity he cleared his throat and returned all focus to the parcel as he spoke.
“Marbles Mercury are gods gifts manifested. To each bag your soul is detailed by the burdens you hold. The Tolley is your essence as it incites your initiative. The marbles are your character as your ambitions shine through them. A pigment for your intention and a shape as your canvas. A purity for its strokes. A cord for your virtue as it ties the garment as a halo. The bag is your soul manifested as it can only belong to the holder.”
Maverick paused to look up into the store owners face. Bernie grunting as if to nudge him to completion. Lucky for Mav the shop was always vacant besides the owner and himself. Otherwise, Mav’s embarrassment would have been too much. Nodding he grabbed the leather bag at his side and started to sort out the belongings in the manor respected by Bernie’s careful gaze.
“Before me is my cord of twine and silver. My bravery in wool and my riches in heaven.” Mav stated
As he removed the cord from the leather pouch and laid it in the shape of a circle upon the countertop.
“Below me is my Character that is absolute and changing.”
Mav continued as he removed all forty-nine marbles from the bag and placed them within the area of the cord. Across the cord Mav laid down the bag and finished the test saying.
“Before me is the bag, my life, my soul. For it holds who I am. The story that is told and the truths unknown.”
A crisp click sounded as Bernie opened the box slowly.
“Mav, that was perfect. As perfect as the collection I get to present today.” said Bernie.
“Well for the last year you have had me memorize the same verse every Saturday.” Mav said as he leaned in to see what was contained within the cedar box.
Bernie cleared his throat and asked Maverick a simple yet unexpected question.