Thursday
"Are you ready yet?" called Cynthia.
"Mother, remind me where we are going this time?" sighed an exacerbated Jessica as she struggled to put in an earring while checking the mirror.
"It is an outing to the art district with the ladies of Princess Arisa's personal house staff. These people serve in the Princess's personal home and know the going ons of the kingdom. If you take the time to socialize with them, you can be best prepared to market our businesses and help attract new clients to our malls. It is very important."
"It sounds expensive," huffed Jessica, attempting to slide on a high-heeled shoe while her mother draped a fine coat over her shoulders.
"It necessary for ladies of our increasing standing in society to adhere to the expectation of the upper class. A simple outing such as this can secure the recommendation for new restaurants, and high-end shops to want storefronts in our malls if they see us in the good graces of the Princess and other nobility."
As they were preparing to leave, Conor arrived home from a morning at Jackson's Furniture to change before his promised shift at the Spice Emporium.
"Ah, Conor, what are you doing here?" asked Jessica, a bit startled.
Conor looked her and Cynthia over, "Umm, I am just changing before my next shift. I am working this evening at the Spice Emporium for one of Mr. Arroz's special events. Where are you two going?"
"Not that it is any of your business or that you would understand, but Jessica is going out with me to socialize with people who actually matter." shot Cynthia, "Now, Jessica, come along, we will be late. Conor here will be back late apparently so no point in worrying about him." She walked out the door with one final parting comment for Conor, "Don't wait up for us, we will be getting dinner out. I am sure you can figure something out for yourself."
Conor looked pleadingly at Jessica, "This sounds expensive, Jess. I am working hard to get the 4,000, but it's going to be close..."
Jessica looked at him, brow furrowed, biting her lower lip. However, after a glare from her mother, she shook her head, clearing any uncertainly from her face, "My money is none of your concern. You focus on actually paying the bills for once and leave this to me." With that, she followed her mother out the door, closing it in Conor's face.
***
Shortly after Conor arrived at the Spice Emporium, he heard a familiar voice. "Hey, stranger."
Behind him, Cara's highlighted brown hair fluttered gently in the winter air as she huddled under an overcoat.
"Hey! Come to sample some more of Mr. Arroz's salsas? I think he has some sweeter ones today!"
"As long as I can stand out of the wind and you get that space heater going!" she said, teeth chattering.
Conor reached up and clicked the gas heater on over the table, and ushered Cara in under its radiant heat. "Ah, much better. Actually, aside from borrowing some warmth, I thought I might sit with you for a bit. It was rather amusing watching people pucker the other day when they try the spices and salsas," giggled Cara.
Conor smiled at that. He couldn't disagree. They had witnessed some amazing reactions. Patrons began trickling by and sampling several and Mr. Arroz's salsas and Spice of the day options. Cara felt a tug at her jacket and looked down to find a boy of about ten standing there staring at the Abrasax Wrath jar, safely locked behind glass. "Miss, I want to try THAT one."
She tried to be nice, "Oh, umm, I don't actually work here, you would have to speak to Conor here, or Mr. Arroz in the back, but I don't think kids are allowed to sample that one."
"Mom says I can try whatever I want."
Conor leaned around then and said, "I am sorry, Cara is right, I am not allowed to let kids sample it. That one is really, REALLY hot. I don't think you would like it anyway."
"I eat hot stuff at home all the time. I can handle it."
Conor and Cara both chuckled. "I am sure you could, but I can't let you. Where is your mother anyway?"
"Down the street. She said the nice lady could watch me." The boy said, pointing at Cara.
"Me?" asked Cara, stunned.
Conor looked seriously at the boy, "When did your mom drop you off here? No one talked to us."
"I don't know, it's been long enough for me to run out of Iron dragon coins. I need more coins."
"Ok, so go ask your mom for some," said Conor hesitantly.
"But you are in charge, can't you give me more?"
"No, she doesn't work here at all and I work at this spice shop which doesn't own the arcade. Besides, why would we pay you to play the games if we did? What is your name anyway?"
"My name is Ian. And you have to give me more coins. Mommy said you would watch me, and I want to play more after I try that hot stuff!"
Conor's head spun. Hot stuff... they were back to the Abrasax wrath powder? Where was this kid's mother? "Mr. Arroz?!" he hollered to the back.
A minute later Mr. Arroz made his way to the front and Conor explained the situation while Cara did her best to keep the kid from opening all of the spice containers and salsa jars on their little table.
"I have a friend at the precinct, just a minute, we will have a city guard down here to look after him and find the mother."
"But what about my hot spice?" the kid demanded.
Mr. Arroz chuckled. "I doubt even a dragon-born could handle that stuff kid. It's mostly just for show."
A few minutes later a uniformed guard walked over and chatted with Mr. Arroz who pointed to the kid Ian.
Just then a screeching came from the arcade. "WHERE is my son? Where is that little harlot with my son?"
Cara's eyes got wide, "Is she talking about me? I never even saw a woman with a kid!"
Conor squeezed her shoulder, "Don't worry. Mr. Arroz and I will handle this."
The lady rushed over and spotted her son and started to rush at Cara, but Conor towered in front of her, "Oh no you don't. Who do you think you are, leaving your kid alone like that?"
"I left him with the worker, but apparently she is too infatuated with you to do her job and pay any attention to him!"
"Lady, she doesn't work at the arcade, nor does she work here. In fact, NONE of us work for the arcade! Their huge sign right there says plain as day 'DO NOT LEAVE KIDS UNATTENDED!' What were you thinking?" Conor demanded, continuing to maneuver between the irate lady and Cara.
"I was thinking that I was leaving my son with a competent worker!"
"Lady! She didn't work there! You didn't even talk to her! You just left him!"
"She was watching the arcade, she saw me drop him off."
Conor, Cara, Mr. Arroz, and the officer who had come over at this point and witnessed the tail end of the conversation just stared dumbly at the woman.
Ian pipped up at that point, "Mom, the mean lady wouldn't let me try the special spice! I want to try the special spice! They say I am not allowed! And I need more coins..."
"Not only do you leave my child to talk to your boyfriend, but you will not even let him participate in the sampling? My son is always allowed to sample things. Where is your boss! I will have you all fired for this!"
Mr. Arroz snapped out of his shock enough to say, "I am the owner here, and ma'am, none of my staff have anything to do with the arcade next door. There never have been any daycare options there. I don't know what gave you that idea!"
"It's a gaming center for Kids on the shopping strip, of course, it's where we are to drop our kids while the adults shop!" huffed the lady. "Why else would you put it there and also why else would there be so many kids there?"
"Ma'am, they all have parents nearby."
"I was nearby, shopping up the street!"
Ian again tugged on his mom's jacket, "Mom, the spice!"
"Yes, at least let my kid try the spice. We have hot foods all the time."
Mr. Arroz looked between her and the officer. A bit of a grin crept over his face, "I believe the officer will be wanting to speak with you about your child, however, this spice issue..., I don't let kids try it. If you really feel the need to let him have it, you can buy it and let him try it at home."
"NO! You are sampling it, we want to sample it NOW."
"Ma'am how about this, you sign this waiver saying you take responsibility for yourself, and I will let you sample it. If you can handle it and deem it fine for your kid, then I will give you a free small sample bottle to take home."
"Fine." as she stepped over to sign the document, the officer had keyed his walkie and was signaling several paramedics stationed nearby.
"What's going on here? Someone needing medical assistance?" asked one of two paramedics walking up to the scene.
Mr. Arroz chuckled, "Not yet, gentlemen, but this fine lady and her son insist on trying my Abrasax's Wrath spice. After that, our good friend here, Officer Green, might have some additional questions for her."
"Oh! I have to see this," The paramedic had a huge grin on his face as he found a good vantage of the table.
The mother began to look nervous at all the attention around her but was determined to see her demands met. Mr. Arroz reached up and unlocked the glass case removing the special jar, gently setting it on the table. The small crowd gathered around but Cara and Conor both took a step back, smiling. The paramedic noticed and also hung back a step from the others. Mr. Arroz cracked the seal and the aroma permeated the area, causing the officer to cough and back away. "Damn that stuff is potent! Lady, you keep that down, and I will make sure the judge goes easy on you for any child neglect charges. Call it punishment served!"
The mother glared at him, "I did not abandon my son! Give me the damn spoon. My husband and I eat hot spice all the time." She snatched a sample stick from Mr. Arroz as he was scooping.
"No!!!, Just a flake!" cried Mr. Arroz as the sample stick was snatched and the lady shoved the small stick with a tiny 'pinch' divot into her mouth. "Oh, this is bad," he said, eyes wide watching the woman close, 'I normally sell this in tiny one-eighth teaspoon scoops, but you are only supposed to use a single flake for even a large recipe. She just consumed that whole spoon at once!"
The lady looked around at everyone, "I don't know what you are worried about I told yo.. yo..." tears began streaming down her face, as her mouth hung open, and she dropped to her knees crying. "HOT!!"
The paramedics chuckled but jumped into action, grabbing a bottle of water and starting to treat her. Suddenly she vomited violently on the ground and continued to dry heave as her whole body went into shock. Her mouth looked like it was foaming with the amount of saliva and spit forming.
Ian was crying next to his mother as the paramedics helped her onto a medical bed and rolled her down the street to their vehicle. The officer chuckled and shook his head. "You tried to warn her. Well, I have a mountain of paperwork to do. Have a good evening, Arroz!"
"See you later old friend!" called Mr. Arroz. Turning to Conor and Cara, the three shared a good chuckle as the evening wound down. He then looked pointedly at Cara, who dipped her head good-naturedly and stood to take her leave. To Conor he said, "Conor, may I have a private word before you leave for the evening?"
Cara glanced at Conor and quickly said goodbye before ducking out.
"Conor, lad. Be careful of your heart with that one. She will steal it before you know. As I promised you Tuesday, here is your pay for tonight and your cut of the Spice of life. This is a full 500 copper dragon. Congrats my boy. With this new product, you have really hit on a gold mine for us both."
"Thank you, sir! You have no idea how much this means."
"No, Lad. Thank you! Remember you are only getting 20%. This is making me a small fortune, so I thank you greatly for this! It has revitalized my business!"
Conor pocketed the money and headed back to the apartment where he placed the funds in an envelope for Jessica. It was a solid step closer to his goal... Perhaps Mr. Matthews would have good news tomorrow.