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Mr Qi appraises the building, and smiles, “Perfect.” He mutters under his breath. Walking around the back to view the depth of the large pink sturcture, he seems more than satisfied. He even allows himself a gleeful rub of his hands. It really couldn’t be better. Straightening his hat, and pushing his sunglasses up his nose, he heads inside the Calico Desert Trader’s store.
Once inside, the sweet cool of an air-conditioned atmosphere hits him with an icy blast. He hadn’t realised just how stiflingly hot and uncomfortable he had become in his large coat and hat. Now, of course, he’s glad of them, the air in here is positively arctic, but the woman behind the counter seems untouched by the temperature, her sparkling blue dress twinkles charmingly in the strip lighting, but it’s hardly what you’d call practical
She looks delighted when he approaches the counter, an unreal oily smirk plastered on his face. The closest he could get to a genuine smile.
““A... customer?" She gapes, "Hi! Welcome to 'Sandy's Oasis'!”
She holds out her hand to shake his, but he kisses it instead. Her smile never falters. “Oh my! Such a gentleman!” Her tone is honest, but he can’t shake the feeling that she is mocking him.
“It’s good to see someone- no, scratch that, ANYONE here! Since the bus stopped running, I can barely make enough to hold body and soul together.” She inscribes the sign of Yoba across her chest, “What can I get for you today? Oops, pardon, where are my manners! I’m Sandy and I run this shop. Have done for the last 5 years. I love it here, but I miss the valley. If you ever want to drop some flowers in, I’d be hugely grateful, I love the colours.”
This was the moment he’d been waiting for, “You’re in luck.” He murmurs, “For you.”
In one swift motion he produces a small bunch of flowers, seemingly out of nowhere.” Sandy’s eyes light up, “For me? “Ooo! I absolutely love getting flowers from the valley. I'm so happy!”
She inhales the scent of the flowers, “Thank you so much, Mr…? I’m sorry don’t think I did catch your name?”
“Qi.” Says the man with a little bow.
“YOUR NAME. I DON’T THINK I CAUGHT IT” Bellows Sandy, thinking he’d said ‘what in another language’.
He laughs, a row of rather predatory teeth glistened in his mirthless smile. “Oh my dear lady, that’s my name. You may call me Mr. Qi.”
For the first time, Sandy looks suspicious, but that expression quickly melts away, “Oh that’s okay, you don’t have to tell me your real name. Sandy’s not my real name either, but that’s how everyone knows me! Nice to meet you Mr. Qi!”
“Sandy,” Mr Qi cuts in brusquely, “I have to be honest with you, I am a man of vision and today I had a vision when I saw your business.”
“Sure it wasn’t a mirage? We get that quite a lot here.”
“Dear lady – pardon me, Sandy, it was no mirage. What are you doing here with this huge floor space? You have just a few shelves with your wares. Not much else going on. For example, what is out in the back rooms here?”
Sandy looks a little uncomfortable, “Oh, well, trade has been almost non-existent since the bus service broke down, the stock on the shelves here is all I have. The back rooms are empty. Just a couple of years ago, this was a bustling trade centre, with customers popping in every few minutes to buy my wares. Now,” She shrugs, gesturing around her, “This is all I got.”
Mr Qi lays a reassuring hand on her arm, “I’m sure it must get very lonely out here all on your own, no-one to visit you, or check on how you are doing?” he says, some may sound patronisingly, but to Sandy, out of touch with the rest of the community for so long, he sounds sympathetic.
In reply, no words, a tear slides down Sandy’s cheek. She gulps and nods.
“Sandy, my dear.” Mr Qi, “No need for tears. I have a proposition that I think you will find very lucrative – very lucrative indeed.”
Placing his hand at the small of her back, Mr Qi leads our desert trader into a deal, and into both their futures.