Stray Cat Strut Chapter Forty-Six - A Bit Fancy

Chapter Forty-Six - A Bit Fancy

Discovering alien, non-human life, did interesting things to the field of psychology. The field, as esoteric and vague as it already was, didnt know how people would react to extraterrestrial life.

As it turns out, we as humans mostly want to either kill it (in the case of the Antithesis) or fuck it (in the case of all the rest).

--Cedric Richmond, PhD Psychology, 2031

***

So, wheres our dude? I asked.

How would I know? Lucy replied. Never exactly been here.

I chuckled. I was asking Myalis, actually. But yeah, the place is a bit fancy, huh?

The mall had that clean modern look that places with too much money poured into PR and advertising had. Clean stainless steel decoration, holographic ads so well-crafted they almost looked real, and more importantly of all, a constant stream of bonafide middle-class losers buying shit.

There was no advertising like having clients.

Jeff Burringham hasnt yet arrived, though his appointnt is in only an hour.

Neat. Wheres the appointnt at?

Hes ant to be at a store called the Boutique de Beau Vtents. Its on the third floor. Though I should inform you that the floors on this building are numbered in the reverse to most human buildings.

The topmost floor is number one? I asked.

Exactly. I suspect its a marketing ploy to convince people to discuss the building more.

Clever, I said.

Then I noticed Lucy pouting. If youre going to take on a date with another girl, then you could at least let be part of the conversation, she said.

This is a date? I asked.

It isnt? Lucy asked right back. Were out, were shopping, were going to go threaten so politician with possible bodily harm. We literally just snuck into a place while packing. Sounds like a date to .

I laughed. Well, sorry, I wasnt thinking and didnt realize. Look, once we find a quiet spot, Ill buy you so fancy augs, and Myalis can talk to you directly.

Lucy grinned. Nice. Myalis would make a great girlfriend, you know.

Im afraid that Im not available.

Youre not? I asked. Sohow it had never occurred to to ask Myalis about... anything of that sort.

Im married to my job, as it were.

Lucy laughed, and I realized that she had to have overheard. She saw my look of montary confusion and pointed to her eye. Shes texting .

Huh, I said. I didnt really mind at all, Myalis was... a friend. Alright, well should we go up to floor three? Im kind of curious about where this dude buys his fancy pants clothes.

We shuffled past a few fountains and a food court and over to the elevator banks in the middle of the giant room. They were all glass walled and steel-flowed things, with hovering no-touch displays and interactive map overlays floating over the walls.

Lucy oohed and ahhed at all the shiny bells and whistles while I leaned back against one of the walls and watched, quite content just to see her having fun.

The elevator stopped to pick up and drop off a few people, but it unerringly made its way up until, finally, we reached the third floor from the top.

We stepped out into an area even more lavishly decorated than the floors below, with potted plants dotting the sides and barely any advertising past the nas of the stores around us. There wasnt as much room up here, I imagined. The entire building being a pyramid of sorts ant that space beca a premium the higher up a floor was.

I didnt know why that ant that the nicest stores were up here. A wedding dress shop, which I studiously ignored, a nice restaurant, and finally, wedged between the two, the Boutique de Beau Vtents. There were a few more on the opposite end of the floor, but they didnt really matter.

Oh, Lucy said. Pretty!

She was eyeing the mannequins at the front of the shop. Full motion animatronics who were walking on stationary treadmills and only pausing to flex and twist to show off the clothes they were wearing. Mostly they were business-y outfits, but the sorts I could imagine a CEO wearing. Nice patterns, soft-looking materials, and a lot of strange cuts.

I followed Lucy into the store, only for both of us to pause in the entrance. It was blocked off by a small red-velvet gate with a butler-looking guy behind it. Bonjour, he said. Do you have a reservation?

We dont, I said. My nas Stray Cat, Im here to talk to one of your clients in a few minutes.

One of the butler guys eyebrows rose. Is this an urgent matter? I would like to confirm things with my supervisor. Of course, if youd be willing to wait, we can serve you so light refreshnts.

Sure, I said. I wasnt in a big hurry, and I didnt feel like shooting the place up.

He nodded, then stepped back and I saw his eyes glaze over. No doubt he was texting soone right there and then.

Lucy tugged over to a loveseat set off to the side, and I sat with an arm around her shoulder while we waited. Not thirty seconds later a second butler appeared with a tray covered in colourful macaroons and with a pitcher filled with what looked like genuine strawberries and ice.

This place is too fancy for my blood, I said after he left.

I know! Lucy replied past a mouthful of macaroons. Shed taken one of every colour, but I doubted shed be able to tell the difference between their taste, the way she was shoving them into her mouth by the fistful.

Madam Stray Cat? the butler asked.

Lucy choked on her pastry.

Yeah? I replied.

We would like to cordially invite you into la Boutique de Beau Vtents. Please, browse at your leisure, and if anything catches your eye, you need only inform a mber of our staff. If you find yourself uncertain about anything, then dont hesitate to ask for assistance as well. Every mber on the floor has a doctorate in fashion design.

Thanks, I said.

The store didnt have racks of clothing. Instead it had little booths and stands with mannequins dressed in suits and nice sumr wear, others had dresses or streetwear on.

Lucy gasped and pulled into the front of a booth. Ive heard of these, she said before stepping up into the booth. The inner wall was a mirror, at least for a mont. A scan later and there was a colour swatch that matched Lucys darker skin to one side, and another for her hair, then her image split and her reflection was wearing three different outfits, all from the sa brand whose understated logo adorned a corner of the booth.

Oh, I like this one, she said, pointing to one off to the side. The dress beca the centre of focus, and the next three Lucy models were all wearing similar but not identical versions of the dress. Different trim, slightly different colours, with and without complenting accessories.

Thats kind of cool, I said.

I wonder how they did the models, Lucy said.

The entrance area had several high-resolution caras at different angles. It wouldnt be difficult to build a three-dinsional model from that information alone. Also, take note that the models are being sowhat complintary when it cos to Lucys actual size.

Lucy sighed, she was half turned to the mirror. Yeah, my ass isnt that nice, she said.

Your ass is very nice, I said.

Thank you, Cat, Lucy said. She smacked herself playfully, then laughed at the expression I made. Co on, we should find sothing pretty for you to wear. Youd look aweso in a suit.

As long as you dont try to fit into a skirt, I said.

Wouldnt suit you, Lucy said. I, on the other hand, have these new and improved legs to show off. And to shave, urgh.

Lucy and I moved to another booth, this one more business oriented. I got to see what Lucy would look like in a blouse and pencil skirt, thick-rimd secretary glasses and all, then she forced in front to try on different suits. I had to admit that I cut an intimidating figure in an all-black three piece with a sword by my hip.

Cat. Jeff Burringham has entered the shop.

I half-turned and looked towards the entrance. Sohow Lucy had dragged us a good ways into the store. It ant that I could snoop on Burringham from afar in peace.

Jeff didnt co alone. He had a pair of bodyguards who imdiately stationed themselves next to the entrance, and a petite secretary-type who was stuck to his side like a bureaucratic limpet. The man himself was pretty handso, for a guy.

Well well, about damned ti. Did you want to co?

You know I always do, Lucy said.

***