Clock Shop

[quote][font=Copperplate Gothic Light][center][size=150][b]☆ Mr. Gray's Clock Shop ☆[/b][/size][/center][/font][/quote]
[quote][table][tr][td][quote][img]https://mediaproxy.salon.com/width/1200/height/1200/https://media.salon.com/2013/10/rundownhouse.jpg[/img][/quote][/td][td][quote]Their home had always been small and unimpressive, much like its owner.

Mr. Gray had never been considered remarkable in any way at all. His spitfire of a wife was the only interesting thing in his life, and after she left with her tail between her legs, Mr. Gray had been forgotten. He was no longer the talk of the town, quiet and reserved, respectful at all times and avoiding conflict whenever possible. All had returned to the way it once was.[/quote] [/td][/tr][/table]

[quote]Until the clocks started appearing. The change had been subtle at first, rays of morning sunlight shining through the windows of his home and onto a freshly painted sign. Silver letters written with a steady hand glimmered proudly, spelling out "Mr. Gray's Clock Shop". A mat with a beautifully stitched clock had been placed at the front, along with the sign "Come in"

The first people started streaming in at noon, with the curiosity of small town folk. And boy, had they been surprised. A once modest home, with antique furniture and drab shades pulled over the windows at all times, had been completely transformed. Now, wherever one turned, there were clocks, clocks, and more clocks. They all ticked in unison, as if the heartbeat of a great beast. A huge oak table had been pushed up against the window, littered with parts and gears, screw drivers and clock hands. And bent over it, was Mr. Gray himself. [/quote]


[table][tr][td][quote]"I was expecting you," he said, with a
tip of his black dress hat, gray eyes
taking in his new customers with the
hint of a coy smile.

His hair had whitened over the years,
as was custom for older men, especially ones named Gray.

The clothes he was wearing had obviously cost
a fortune, thick material keeping the fellow
warm in the rather cold air of his shop.
By the door were dozens of gentleman's hats,
staves, and an expensive looking black coat.
Truly, it seemed like the old man had converted
his home into a shop, and a wonderful one at that.[/quote][/td][td][quote][img]https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F0_0u2xxh7o/X2oUdG9cSII/AAAAAAAAADY/CbYiD-RVhmoN8Cpa989vu4iEh0VNQppFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/e783317cd37bb04677ea638ff14717dc.jpg[/img][/quote][/td][/tr][/table][/quote]
[quote]
All around the town's folk there were wonderfully crafted clocks, their design delicate enough it might have broken just by breathing on it too hard. There were clocks who looked like they'd be able to withstand the sky falling. Clocks which displayed the moon and star cycle as they ticked away the days, clocks which told you the weather, and clocks which sent a chime loud enough to wake the dead whenever their hands reached a certain time.

There was not a speck of dust to be seen, the disgusting carpeted gray floors had been torn out and replaced with lacquered wooden planks. No bed or kitchen, even those had been covered in machines. An excited chatter arose from the customers as one by one they picked up clocks and turned them over in their hands, or studied them from afar, as was the case for the great grandfathers, or the ones which has been pinned to the walls with silver screws. [/quote]
[table][tr][td][quote][img]https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s1xEUUui9Ag/X2ovjyuG4cI/AAAAAAAAAEk/CU40fT_pzuo0Pw-85TXCH0iIa-skA0PHwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/397388f3043efb5f934e75055225a588.v1.png[/img][/quote][/td]
[td][quote]And withing them all, a small, gray eyed boy sat quietly on a couch, legs tucked underneath himself,
watching the crowd with a serene sort of expression,
a book held loosely in one hand.

"Are you lost?" one of the customers asked.
"No," the boy said with a beautiful smile.
"I'm right where I'm supposed to be."  [/quote][/td][/tr][/table]