Time Scout

"I leave that to your discretion and wisdom. I would suggest we collect my granddaughter, though, and head over to Co

Malcolm nodded. "Are we playing tourist for this trip or am I getting her ready for her role as disguised boy?"

Kit considered. "Again, use your discretion, but I'm inclined to think a little of both."

"So am I. I'll, uh, meet you at Co

"Make it the Prince Albert and we'll finish lunch before we collar her."

Malcolm gri

Kit just snorted "I'd tell you to go soak your head, but you already did. See you at the Albert."

Co

Co

"I hate to shop when I'm too broke to buy anything," she admitted "It's depressing."

"What about that barmaid's dress?"

Her cheeks colored. "Skeeter gave me money for that. He told me to buy it in Costumes Forever because the prices were better. I, uh, haven't been shopping since."

"Well, you're in for a treat, then." Kit smile but he wondered privately if this scheme would help or only abate matters. When he steered her through Clothes and Stuff's doorway, Margo spent a full minute in the center of the main aisle just staring. Then she gave a low sound of utter ecstasy, turned in a complete circle to gape at shelves, display racks, and glass cases, then ended with a wide-eyed, "Shopper's freaking paradise!"

She thereupon bolted for the nearest dress racks.

Malcolm took one look at Kit's face and convulsed with silent laughter.

"Oh, shut up," Kit groused. "Some help you are."

"Kit, you have to admit, there's a pretty darned fu

"Oh, great. Make me feel better."

Malcolm's long face creased in a wide grin. "I suspect the Neo Edo can support it."

"Huh. Your taxes aren't due next time Primary cycles." Malcolm's eyes twinkled. "Oh, yes they are. I just don't have enough income for it to matter."

Kit thumped his shoulder. "Just wait I'll take care of that little problem."

"Thanks," Malcolm drawled. "I'll go from owing zip to owing a third of whatever you pay me."

"Well, I could just pay you two thirds of what we agreed on ...."

"Fat chance. A man's got his pride, after all. Hey, look, Co

He wandered off to do his own window shopping. Intrigued as always by the content's of Clothes and Stuff, Kit cruised the aisles as well, just to get a feel for what they'd need. Neat racks displayed costumes appropriate to La-La Land's resident gates. Costumes were situated in carefully arranged groupings, neatly labeled as to geographic location, exact time period, and appropriate occupation or social occasion. Items could be either rented (for those on a budget) or purchased (for those with essentially sky's-the-limit funds).

Shelving units and glass cases held every ma

Another section of the shop included appropriately designed luggage, lighting equipment from candle lanterns to oil lamps, sanitary and survival gear, tools, weapons, even historically appropriate eyeglasses. One employee on Co

If it had existed down time and people had used it, or if it was necessary to survival and it could be disguised, Clothes and Stuff stocked it or was prepared to manufacture it.

Co

"Hi, Kid What brings you in?"

He met her beside a glass case containing lace-and-lawn caps, feathered and plain fans, plus silk, leather, and cloth gloves while Margo emitted the most outlandish sounds he'd ever heard a female make off a mattress.

"What do you think?" he smiled, nodding toward the enraptured girl pawing through a rack of ball gowns.

"Margo, of course. I'm sending her down the Brita

"Good idea. Hang on a sec, would you? These feathers itch."

She lifted off the headdress. The glossy black hair came with it. She shook out her own hair, then vanished into the back. When she returned, the kimono had gone as well, replaced by a set of cowboy-style leather chaps, worn over woolen drawers and a boned corset. Occasionally Kit had known her to change clothing five times during the course of a twenty-minute conversation as she tried out various new creations. Across the room, Margo noticed. She stared for a full thirty seconds, round-eyed, then returned to her window shopping with another silly squeal as her attention rested on something else utterly wonderful.

"Very becoming," Kit drawled.

Co

"And the chaps?"

"The customer said they chafed him. I'm testing them out to see what the problem is."

"Uh-huh."

Kit, like most 'eighty-sixers, had eventually realized that when she was working, Co

Kit thought she was the most charming nut he'd ever known.

Even he deferred to her encyclopedic knowledge.

"London, is it?" Co