Conversation · Plaisance

"Who's the little girl standing outside?"

"Yes? Oh, I hope I can make it up to her. She's my precious kid."

"Oh, yes? How's my precious doing? She's a good girl."

"I'm here to dismantle the free market and abolish child labour."

She rolls her eyes. "You must be kidding, there's nothing like that happening."

"Depends. How much do you pay the kid?"

"Good sir, what does a young child do with money anyway? No, I save it for her, as a fund. She's securing her financial future out there."

Slap the cuffs on her!

Such criminal behaviour would not happen in more developed countries.

"Oh. I guess I was mistaken."

"Indeed." Her voice is decisive and sharp as a knife. "Are we done with the jokes now?"

"Yes, we've had quite enough fun here, right." The lieutenant taps his foot.

"I formally reprimand you for your corrupt activities."

She raises an eyebrow. "Oh, of course, officer. Good work. Are we done with the jokes now?"

"In some more developed countries this sort of thing is two felonies. Child labour and slavery."

"Those countries will realise they've raised a lazy and spoiled generation." Her tone is decisive, not at all angry at the insinuation. "Are we done with the jokes now?"

"The way you're handling her strikes me as wrong."

"Mind your own business, sir." Her posture becomes very rigid. "In our society, people don't get to tell each other how to raise their children. It's none of your or anyone's business."

Denial is the way she copes with criticism.

"All this pressure has made her really anxious. You know she's been chewing her nails?"

"Okay.... Let's change the subject."

"Annette is quite the trooper. She's a great value-add."

"As a young girl should be. With the proper attitude she'll have a bright financial future."

"Annette, yes. My daughter. I hope she wasn't slacking off again with her nose in science fiction! Tell me, was she at her post, doing her job like a proper girl?"

"It doesn't matter. Now, tell me something else..."

"Hmpf!" She seems disappointed, like a kid who's been told no. "And what else can I do for you?"

"Yes, of course."

"Wonderful! Did you talk to her?"

"Yes."

"Great! On a scale of one to ten, how compelled were you to buy books after talking with her?"

Her opinion of her daughter depends on how well she lured you into the store.

"One. Not impressed."

"I knew it." She sighs and shakes her head. "Shameful behaviour. She's incorrigible."

"Five. I felt some interest."

"I guess it's better than nothing." She shrugs. "She'll have to try harder next time."

"Ten. She's certainly very polite and helpful."

"My precious! Her dedication brings joy to my heart." She's immensely satisfied with the answer. "If you have children, I hope they turn out as great as my Annette."

"I'm not going to grade a human being. I don't do that."

"Come now, it's not personal, it's about proper sales practices and market research." She crosses her arms. "I expect an answer."

"Not really."

"Why not? Was she not friendly enough? Were you not compelled to talk to her?"

"I don't know, I just walked right in here instead."

She lightens up. "Oh yes, okay, that makes sense. It's working then... yes. Do browse our books, sir!"

"I was afraid she'd call me a f****t like all the kids around here."

"Sir! Watch the language." She crosses her arms. "My child would never do such a thing."

"I'm not interested in talking to a kid."

"What's wrong with her?" She shakes her head. "Can't she do anything right?"

"No, she was definitely slacking off."

"Oh," she exclaims with some irritation. "Shameful girl, what is she up to this time?!"

"This is actually none of my business, let's talk about something else."

"No, I must've been mistaken. She's right outside, very attentive, yes."

"Farewell for now, book peddler!" [Leave.]

"What if I want to buy a book?"

"Goodness, you were already doing good browsing the shelves. Why'd you stop?" She fiddles her pendant, then waves her bony fingers directly at you: "Don't you feel compelled? Go, go -- get back there. The books await you."

Quietly, she mutters to herself: "He isn't doing what he's designed to do... isn't the spell working..."

"What spell?"

"Huh?" She flinches at your remark. "Nothing. No one's cast any spells of compulsion to draw in customers. What a silly idea!"

"Alright, I'll take a look then." (Conclude.)

She smiles and nods, seemingly relieved.

"So what types of books do you have?"