Track Four: Light My Fire

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The bartender at the nearest drinking establishment, a place called the Last Roundup, is briefly confused by the requests for pints, but finally figures out that the new arrivals are asking for beers. The selection is limited to common American brands, served ice-cold, in cans or bottles. The place is only half-full, with a jukebox playing country-western music quietly in the corner. The drinkers are mostly older men, with a few younger couples here and there.

It occurs to the investigators that this is the kind of town where the type of clothing they wish to obtain might be difficult to locate, blue jeans, work shirts, and cowboy hats being more common.

[SunlessNick]

Zara picks out the least conservative looking young couple, and approaches them. "Sorry to barge - is there anywhere in town I could get some cool duds for my guy? It's his birthday, and I want to surprise him when I get home."

[jp1885]

Tony is somewhat relieved at the lack of 'hippie' clothes outlets (though he feels keenly the lack of any establishments that might sell a good claret) and secretly hopes that Zara's quest proves fruitless. He leans over to Liz.

"There might be an alternative y'know. Perhaps we could pose as British journalists, here to report on the new scene? A chap able to conjure up fireballs is sure to interest the press sooner or later. Our chums could be local 'fixers' or somesuch."

[Mr. Handy]

"I like that plan," says Liz with a smile.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Zara picks out the least conservative looking young couple, and approaches them. "Sorry to barge - is there anywhere in town I could get some cool duds for my guy? It's his birthday, and I want to surprise him when I get home."

Zara finds a couple of teenagers sipping Cokes. (They probably aren't even supposed to be in here, but as long as they don't drink alcohol the barkeep looks the other way.) They're dressed in a more mod way than most folks, and the boy's hair is a little longer than usual.

"Not much luck in this hick town," the boy says. "Soon as I graduate I'm splitting for LA."

"There's the Mad Hatter Boutique," the girl adds. "They've got some cool stuff, if you look hard enough." She supplies directions to the place, which isn't far away.

[jp1885]

Tony grins at Liz.

"Capital! A two-pronged assault then? Zara can pose as a new convert whilst we can pose as journalists; though it might seem suspicious if we all turn up at once. Perhaps we're telling Zara's story: 'from girl-next-door to flower child of fire!' You know, I've always suspected I might have a literary bent."

[SunlessNick]

Zara thanks the girl, buys a gin, and heads over to the others. "Sounds good to me," Zara says. "But if I'm walking into another lion's den, I'm definitely getting some other clothes. I like this dress too much to risk it."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The Mad Hatter Boutique is easy to locate, given the gigantic, hand-lettered sign on the display window which reads GOING OUT OF BUZZINESS [sic] SAIL [sic]. EVERTHING [sic] HALF OFF!

The proprietor of the place is a woman of middle years, wearing thick glasses and dressed in a plain, conservative blouse and skirt. Most of the clothing here is of the same kind. However, as the girl indicated, things that might be found in one of the trendier spots on Carnaby Street are also available, in the back of the store, their prices drastically marked down. Evidently this was an experiment that did not go over well.

"Afternoon, folks," the woman says. "May I help you?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Some of these outfits are rather mod," comments Liz, checking out the clothing in the back. "We could pick up some real bargains here."

[jp1885]

Tony supresses a shudder as he enters the 'boutique', however he too soon recognises that there may be some sartorial gems to be found.

Rooting around the store, he searches for something, a neckerchief or cravat perhaps, that compliments his outfit and marks him out as a man of style, yet sympathetic to the Children of the Revolution. All the better if said accessory bears a flame motif.

[Mr. Handy]

Liz flips through the racks, looking for a miniskirt and a sleeveless blouse that would go together.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The desired items are found and purchased. Obviously happy to make a sale, the proprietress remarks, "You folks goin' to a costume party?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Something like that," says Liz.

[Rooter]

Carson opts for the blue jeans, work shirt and cowboy hat of a local.

[SunlessNick]

Zara picks out something similar to the faux-Indian look the fire-thrower was sporting.

[jp1885]

Tony pays for an orange-red cravat with a suitable flame-motif, pleased at how it sets off his pale blue safari suit.

He waits for the others to make their purchases.

"So what's the plan? Sneak up to the place at night, with cover stories at the ready?"

[SunlessNick]

"If we are playing a new convert and journalists, would we be sneaking?" Zara asks.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The question is a good one. Besides the time of day to set forth on this venture, it also remains to be decided who will drive each one of the dune buggies into the desert via the barely visible trail, and who will ride in each one as passengers.

[Mr. Handy]

"Right," says Liz, who has selected a black miniskirt and a sleeveless blouse that matches the color of her hair, which also resembles flames. "The three of us should go there in the daytime in one of the dune buggies. The others can use the other dune buggy. They might prefer a stealthy approach."

[Starspawn338]

Lew will buy some jeans and a work shirt so he doesn't stick out too badly.
"I'm not one for undercover work." He says. "Actually I'm not much for stealth either. I usually just take a direct approach in my investigations. But I'll let you go in and will drive up in the other dune buggy and we'll see what happens."