#bergen_county

"Her build was harder to tell, I think classic hour glass but she had a denim jacket that was oversized.. and frankly I don't gawk at women younger than me so boldly. They get enough of that in the streeets I imagine. Shorter than me but I couldn't recall how much shorter. She wasn't obese, I know that much. hmm" he ponders "Her age eludes me. Younger than me, but then I'm 41"

Frank nods. "I can put the word out, see if she's stil around and if we can help. Thanks."

"well, now I feel bad I didn't pay her more for the painting" he frowns a bit guilty

"I think if we can find her with your description, that will make up for it."

"Well, if you want the painting i can go as low as 40 dollars, that's how much i paid her."

"Let's say 50. You should make something, and you may have helped her. Do you have something to wrap it in?"

"Surely. gift wrap or plain brown paper?"

"Plain brown, I think." Frank carefully brings it over.

He wraps it deftly, "You want a reciept?"

"No, thank you." Frank pays the man cash.

The man says "Good luck helping that girl, and God bless you "

"Thank you." Frank takes the package and start out... pauses. "That clock."

"Yes?" He asks

"What about it's history? You said it was dinged up."

"Oh shattered" he nods "It was sold in.. oh, here we go.. " He reaches into a cabinet and goes through files "Oh here... from the 'Hagsgate estate'?"

Frank thinks about that.... any bells?

Yes, yes, that's... the kids had him watch that movie and even read the book. Hag's gate is King Hagard's city in The Last Unicorn

Frank looks sheepish. "Look... if I give you a hundred, would you hold it for a week for me? I need to talk to my wife."

"Let's make it two weeks. These are hard times" He nods "Let me get your name and whatever contact info?"

Frank nods and gives him the mortal-safe versions. And $100.

And the man writes up a slip of paper for both "Hope your wife likes the idea"

"Thank you. Have a good evening." and Frank departs, brow furrowed. He goes back to the C-store.

He finds Jaymes working there

He grunts hello as he enters. The painting stays in the car.

A grunt back ("How'd it go?")

"Disturbing. I can show you at the Lodge. Need you to keep an eye out for someone while you're out here."

A nod at that, and he waits for details on who to look for

Frank tells him. "Female, shorter than (X), thinner than fat, might be shapley but wears a jacket that hides it. Red hair. Appears down at the heels. Hard to tell her age, younger than 40 though."

"Mmm except the red hair that might not be easy to sort out"

"And hair can change. Can you step out to the car?"

He nods and leaves for the moment, no customers are in so he can do so

Frank takes him out, and leaving the painting in the car, uncovers it so Jaymes can see.

He doesn't need to say anything except. "The red-head sold this at the shop for $40."

Brows arch up ("I see why you had to buy it")

"Mm."

"Between this and the wood carving, this is a touch alarming"

"More than a touch. Be on the lookout for this girl, Mm?"

Nod grunt ("Definitely")

Frank nods. "Think I'll head back to the Lodge now. We're going to need to put someone on that shop."

A nod then "Maybe Symon ? He's reliable"

Frank scratches his beard, nods. "Could be. Depends if he's available."

"True. College plans for him as well"

"With Dagmar." he observes.

A nod "Good friends"

"Good team."

"They are. They help each other, sum of the whole greater than their parts ,and the parts are..." He considers "Pretty great"

Frank nods, firm agreement.

And wraps up the painting again. "I need to get back to the Lodge." he repeats "Keep an eye out for Her?"

"Yes" A nod

"Thanks." Frank departs, heading for the Lodge.