As Stu watched, Mike's body seemed to implode. The yellow wet suit
collapsed on itself into a shiny yellow water polo ball. The ball fell
to the floor and bounced three times before rolling under the drape
and into the store's backroom.
Jake was carrying an armload of men's swimsuits out for the bargain
bin when he tripped on the ball. He picked up the ball and set it
aside. It would look good in the window display. He gathered up the
swimwear and headed out into the store front. He emptied his armload
into the bargain bin and adjusted the 2 for $20 sign so it was clearly
visible from the mall. Then he headed back to the counter. He paused
as he noted the big red Pilates ball sitting in the chair, and decided
to put it in back too.
A few minutes later Tom came out, and looked around. Jake appeared
next to him.
"Did you find something you'd like to purchase,sir?" Jake asked.
"Uh, did you see a big blond jock and a slightly overweight guy? I
came in here with my friends, but they're not in the dressing room."
"Perhaps they left," Jake said, "I didn't see them. But I'm sure
they'll be back. Did you want those pants? They are really smart
looking," Jake said.
Tom sighed in irritation. Why had the guys ditched him? He wondered
if it had something to do with Magda's request that they put on those
tight garments. She had insisted that Mike wear the yellow wetsuit
and Stu and Tom wear the spandex leotards. There was no way Tom was
going to do that.