Frank smiled as he walked towards his Florist’s. Most of the businesses were closed due to the financial crash but Frank was glad he had listened to his father and invested in gold and land, not stocks and shares. His and a few other businesses would weather the storm. He waved to Goldsmith, the Jeweler opposite, then frowned at Harriet, the Chocolatier next door.
Taking out his key, he looked furtively left and right, then stopped.
A mammoth of a man had just turned the corner and was walking down the street. Although perspectively only the size of a pea, there was no mistaking his enormity; he took up half the sidewalk and stooped to avoid hitting his head on the awnings. Subconsciously, Frank reached up to his own awning and found he couldn’t reach it, even on tiptoes. Instinctively, he scurried into his shop and rushed behind the counter. The man was now the size of a pumpkin. He was carrying a suitcase and was dressed in a smart suit that screamed Mobster.
Frank’s thoughts were confirmed, and worry alleviated, when the man crossed the street and headed towards Goldsmith’s.
As the man entered Goldsmith’s, Frank fidgeted with his tie.
Five long minutes later, the man left Goldsmith’s and headed towards Frank’s, changed his mind and walked towards Harriet’s.
Frank looked down at his tie, which now resembled the crepe paper he used to line his boxes, then wiped his sodden brow with a handkerchief.
He briefly considered locking the door but it was too late. The mountain entered; the mouse froze petrified.
The man briefly considered Frank then looked at the display.
“Good afternoon. I’d like to see that long, thin box, please.”
Frank almost dropped the box before handing it over. The man opened the box, measured it with his massive mitts, then smirked.
“Perfect. A dozen roses on top, please.”
Perfect for concealing a Tommy Gun, Frank thought.
He put two dozen roses on top.
“How much?”
“N-n-n-no charge.”
“Don’t be silly, times are hard.”
The man threw down five crisp $1 bills and left.
……………………………………………………………………………….
He returned later that day with a female accomplice carrying the box.
Frank hid behind a bouquet, watching as the man pointed a finger at the Florist’s.
He didn’t notice the urine trickling down his leg.
The man nodded towards Goldsmith’s and crossed the street.
Frank breathed a sigh of relief. Although he respected Goldsmith, the Jeweler was on his own.
As Frank noticed he had wet himself, the man took the box from his accomplice, opened it, got into a firing position…
Frank covered his mouth.
…and proposed to her.
The ecstatic bride-to-be eventually rushed into the Florist’s, the enamored man close behind.
“Thank you for the flowers, they’re gorgeous, and three boxes of chocolates from next door fit inside perfectly. You should talk to your neighbor and offer both flowers and chocolates as a package.”
And that is exactly what Frank did, right after he changed his pants.