the trick is to keep breathing

Part 5: The Dry Cleaners.

"Remember, that coat is my one true love!" Seifer slapped his hands on the counter in an attempt to appear intimidating.

The person on the other side of the counter, to his credit, did not appear intimidated. "Yes, sir."

"And if there is even a single tear in Alice's fabric--"

"Alice, sir?"

"Yes, dammit!" Seifer's frustration was plain as day on his face. "Alice, the coat! Pay attention, Fred!"

"Sir, my name is Ados."

"I don't care if you're the Dread Pirate LionHeart! If Alice isn't returned to me in the exact same condition she's in now, you're going on the list!"

Ados, or Fred, merely sniffed. "Sir, you requested... Alice... to be dry cleaned. Her condition will be much nicer than she's in now. She'll also smell like lavender."

"So did your mother!" Seifer shot back.

"I beg your pardon, sir?"

"Forget it. Forget it, forget it! I'll take my business elsewhere." Seifer's long handed attempt at reclaiming the quote from Ados-Fred's possession, however, gave Alice a long split down her worn seam.

The next day, Ados and Son Dry Cleaners was discovered to be little more than a pile of charred wreckage, smelling distinctly of lavender. The culprit was never found, but was believed to be this tall, blond man who was seen skulking around the premises and whispering sweetly to his coat collar.