FIVE
Slatter devoured his pastrami sandwich at the deli near his home. As he ate it, he wondered about the nature of the VHS tape. He figured it would be a good idea to visit the source. Well, as close to a source there was. The thrift store where he got it. He finished his coffee, left his payment on the table and walked out.
Kenny’s Vintage Emporium was only a twenty minute walk from the deli. As he walked the East Village streets he couldn’t help wondering if maybe the VHS Copycat Killer was one of the people he walked past. It sort of gave him the creeps. Stupid, because of course in a city the size of New York he was bound to walk past a killer some days. He hadn’t ever been connected to a violent crime though, so this made his outlook on the world quite different.
He walked into the store. Two teenage girls were having a look at the vintage clothing section, after all, everything comes back in style one day. Kenny was behind the counter in person. Kenny’s beard was something to behold, only a few weeks behind full ZZ Top. His tropical shirt’s buttons were straining to keep his belly in check.
“Hi,” Slatter greeted him. “You all right?”
“Yeah, sure. You, dude?”
“Not too bad. I’ve got a question… I bought a VHS tape here two days ago. I was hoping you could tell me who brought it in.”
“Which tape?”
“It said VHS Nostradamus on the label.”
Kenny scratched his beard. “I don’t remember any new tapes being brought in really. Might have been during Wendy’s shift. But why do you want to know?”
Stolen story; please report.
Slatter thought about what to tell him. The truth didn’t seem like the smartest thing. Too bizarre. “It was pretty good. I was wondering if this person has some more of those in his collection.”
“I could ask Wendy about it when she comes in,” Kenny said.
“What time does she come in?”
Kenny glanced at his Mickey Mouse watch. “An hour from now.”
“I’ll just drop by then,” Slatter said.
Kenny shrugged. “Fine.”
Slatter browsed through the used books but couldn’t find anything new. Same went for the video or poster section. He went for a little walk. As he walked his paranoia started to grow. What would the owner of the VHS think when he discovered Slatter was trying to find him? Imagine if the owner was actually the killer. Would that endanger Slatter? If the killer had dropped the tape at the thrift store he was probably a local. Me he’d seen Slatter walk in there.
A hand on his shoulder. Slatter’s heartbeat went through the roof. He turned around, one fist ready to hit.
“Relax dude,” Johnny Darkness told him. “I saw you walking and wanted to say hello.”
“Man, you scared the shit out of me.”
“That paranoia is getting worse by the day. First last night and now this. Has that got anything to do with the reason the cops gave me a call. Why do you need an alibi, dude??”
Slatter decided to tell Johnny the truth. He was his best friend. Well, he didn’t have many friends in the first place. Aside from those on Facebook and other social media of course. But those wouldn’t be there at his funeral. Well, if there was a good death metal concert at the same time Johnny probably wouldn’t be there either.
After Slatter told his friend all about his time at the police station and his intent to find the original owner of the mysterious VHS tape Johnny whistled through his teeth.
“Duuuuuude… That is some awesome story. I’d watch that movie.”
Slight annoyed Slatter said, “It’s not a movie. It’s real.”
“If you need a Watson to your Sherlock, I’m your boy,” Johnny said. “Want to get a pint a the Irish Pub before we go and talk to Wendy. She’s hot.”
Slatter sighed. Johnny was right though, she was. And yes, he might feel better having Johnny along for the ride. He was known to be able to take care of himself in a fight. It made him feel a little safer. Not that the killer would actually be watching him, right? Right?