I approached the store and looked through the display windows. The clothes seemed outdated with longer coattails than normal. The whole display was made of tweed. Shoes were small and seemed like it would squeeze the life out of someone’s foot. I saw no signs of enchanting thread or enhancements of a magical nature that would make the suit worth even more than it normally would be. Even just a moth repelling enhancement or water protection would make it an easy sale.

I stepped into the door and the bell above me rang out. I was met with no calls or welcomes as I stepped into the light crystal filled room. It all bathed the clothes in warm light that gave enough visibility to make out the quality of the goods on sale. I walked around grabbing and looking at tags and inspecting the quality of the cloth and seams.

Suddenly a throat was cleared behind me. I turned and looked down to about chest height at the person getting my attention.

Yellow skin pulled tight across hawkish features with red pupil eyes looked up at me. A sneer stretched across a crooked toothed mouth. Thin whipcord muscle showed in his neck and stature. He was half hunched down into himself. “We don’t like window shoppers,” His voice was like spiders crawling down your back as he hissed out his words.

“I heard that the best prices were here and I just wanted to check it out.” I went to turn and look back at the product when the man seized my elbow.

“You got fine threads, what do you need and I’ll help you.”

I pulled my arm free as I looked down at this ‘helper’ with a disarming smile. “I was hoping to get some clothes that have enchantments. I heard this establishment was owned by a wizard. Does he enchant the clothes?”

The hobgoblin sneered more, “We prioritize prize over pushing for extras and squeezing out your silver. We have some older stock that has rain protection enchantments but they’re for smaller folk. I don’t think we have it in your size.”

“Could I pay for an enchantment? A special order?” It was strange that Grizzlebats wouldn’t offer bells and whistles to his goods with how powerful he was with magic. Even if he provided the shop with some magical thread and needles it would be child’s play for someone of his reputation.

“No special orders. Now, what do you want?” His voice was turning into a growl as he reached for my arm again. I slapped his hand away before he could grab me.

“I don’t think you are making a good impression on customers for your boss. Why don’t you fix your attitude and give me some space.” I fixed the cuff of my suit as I kept my back straight and stared down my nose at him.

“I don’t think you’re welcome here anymore. I’m going to ask you to leave only once before this gets ugly.” I watched as his knuckles closed causing them to crack as a vein in his head started to throb under his skin.

I brushed the area he touched me off and walked towards the door. “Have a nice day,” I made sure my words were dripping with sarcasm as I stepped out of the door. I turned and saw the yellow bastard staring daggers at me through the glass. His frown was deep and menacing as I walked away and pulled out my map.

The grocery store was under construction so that wasn’t going to be an option. There was a laundry shop though. A place for those that couldn’t afford a full machine in their home.

I walked into the store and a female hobgoblin was sitting behind a counter with her feet up on it. Her feet were bare ended in the three claw tipped toes wrapped in long white socks. She wiggled them about as the audio crystal flooded the shop with new wave music as she blew a massive green bubble. Her ears were adorned with heavy hoop earrings that rubbed her shoulders. Her eyes were covered with large sunglasses. She was well proportioned and attractive for a hobgoblin.

I approached as she looked me up and down. With a tilt of the glasses she looked into my eyes. “Big and sexy, no laundry though. So…” She put her feet down and leaned forward trying to entice me by putting her meager cleavage on display. “What can I do for you?”

“I was just wondering what kind of prices you charge. I don’t know if my Inn is overcharging me.” I looked at her with my best smile as she blew another bubble of her gum.

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“Tokens cost five ceramic pieces. Takes a single token for each step of the cleaning process. So that is two tokens per load of laundry. Or one copper.” She took her sunglasses off and fluttered her long eyelashes at me. “Or, you could take me out for a date and I’ll wave all your fees. It’s been too long since a real gentleman has taken me out.”

“Isn’t that a little unprofessional?” I asked while taken back by the forthright nature of this hobgoblin.

“Pbbbffft!” She leaned back and crossed her arms. “Boss has enough money, he halved the prices of the previous people and isn’t hurting for more money.” She bit the tip of a finger as she gazed at me with obvious interest. “Are you going to take the deal?” Suddenly she seemed unsure of herself.

“Well, taking you out on a date does sound lovely. But if we’re making a deal, how about you answer some questions for me in return?” I offered as I sat on the desk between us causing her to look up at me. I put on a warm welcoming smile.

She smiled at me, “My name is Heratrude, handsome. I’ll answer one question for a date. Maybe after it you can ask a few more.” Her cheeks turned orange from her blush, “This is my address, pick me up, and you pick where to bring me.”

“Ok, one question,” I looked thoughtful as I considered what I would ask. “Who balances the books for the business?”

“I think the boss hired my grandpa, he runs books for all the wizard’s businesses.” She held up the piece of paper with her name on it and her eyes got round and hopeful. This would have been my chance to back out. Still I reached out to take it. Just as I was about to grab it she flicked it away from my finger, holding it back. “I want to be wined and dined.” She smiled shyly with her luscious lips, “I hope you enjoy how nice my company is.”

I fought off the surge of interest as I nodded and took the slip of paper from her. “I’ll see you thursday at six.” I straightened up and tucked her card into my breast pocket for safe keeping. “Have a great night.”

Too bad I’m not here for long. Don’t want to break the poor girl’s heart.

I stepped out into the air and took in the heat. I felt a little hungry though so I looked at the map for the one restaurant that Grizzlebats had bought up. The one he purchased was close. It took me a few blocks and stripping off my jacket holding it over my shoulder as I strolled through the hot town. The sun was reaching its zenith above me, almost completely banishing all the shadows I would have hoped to find shelter in. I straightened my hat to shade my eyes as I approached the diner.

“Betsy’s Diner,” I mumbled to myself, he hadn’t changed the name yet so I stepped inside to the building, waiting for the cool air that normally radiated out of the door. I let out a grumble that it wasn’t there. No cooling enchantment to keep the place comfortable.

Looking around the diner I didn’t see many patrons at all. I made my way to one of the many empty booths around the room. There was one bored hobgoblin ignoring me and I could hear some quiet movements in the back of the diner.

Sitting down I pulled out a cigarette and lit it up taking a deep drag as a yellow skinned boy walked up to me and slid a menu in front of me. “Our special today is a wyvern steak with fries. Only comes in medium rare though. Meat won’t cook past that. Would you like anything to drink?” His voice was robotic and uninterested. Not even his eyes looked at me as he stared up into the ceiling with a limp pencil in one hand and a worn notebook in the other.

“I’ll just have some iced tea. Beat the heat you know.” I smiled but he seemed unimpressed as he tucked things away and walked off without writing anything down.

Looking at the menu the prices were dirt cheap. There is no way he should be turning a profit with this little business and these low prices. I looked along everything that would be filling and sighed to myself. It looked like I would be settling for a Cockatrice and Waffle combo. A little sweet and savory would hit just the spot right about now.

The young man came back with a glass that was full of tea with a single ice cube inside it. He set it down, spilling some of it without caring. “What are you going to have sir?” Again that robotic drawling voice. I frowned at the young man.

“I’ll take the cockatrice and waffle combo. Is there any way I can get more ice?” I asked motioning to the lukewarm glass. It didn’t even sweat in the heat.

“No, Ice machine is on the fritz.” He didn’t even take a moment to think about it. No hesitation at all. I glanced at the counter and could see he had a tall glass of water full of ice and kept the scolding I had ready in my voice to myself.

“Why didn’t you tell me when I ordered?” I asked probing to see what his deal was.

“Look, it’s tea, it has ice, iced tea. I’ll be back with your meal.” He walked away leaving me struck with his attitude and felt myself growling with displeasure.

I rolled up my sleeve to try and cool off a little. I had to dry the table up myself with the nearby napkins making a pile of soaked paper. The tea was overly bitter and lukewarm. It left an unpleasant taste in my mouth as I looked around the place. No one else was here and it was the prime time for lunch to be had.

I watched as people filed by, heading to different places for their lunch as I waited for my food. The sound crystal in the diner crackled and was improperly tuned so it left an unpleasant sound filling the air. I was already sure that there was no way this business was making money. How could he not care and come in here to whip everything into shape. Pissing this amount of money away and not making sure that it is run properly would be a devastating loss.

It took way too long for my food to come to my table. Especially since I was the only customer here. Immediately it looked unappetizing. The cockatrice wasn’t breaded and fried. The waffle was misshapen and too pale to have been cooked properly. The boy didn’t even stop as he immediately turned around and left me to it.

Cutting into them both I soon found out that they were undercooked. The cockatrice was still pale and uncooked near the bone and the waffle was basically dough. I pushed the meal away without having a bite and stood up to leave. Just as I stepped away from the table the boy rushed up to me.

“Hey you can’t leave without paying!” The boy demanded, “And where is my tip?!”

“Tip?” I asked incredulously. “You served me warm ice tea, undercooked food, and made me wait. You don’t get my money at all. Now get out of my way.” I placed my hand and pushed him to the side as I stepped past him. He tried to shove me into another table but I rolled away from the push and grabbed him by the collar. “Keep your hands to yourself you little punk.” I shoved him away causing him to stumble.

“I’ll… I’m gonna call the sheriff!” The boy cried out as he ran to the phone by the cash register.

I stepped out sighing at the grumbling in my stomach. I had to find something else to eat.

I needed to find out how to get a hold of his books.