for shopping.

(arriving from Weston P.D.)

Finding a parking space was, as usual, a pain. There were just so many cars here, so many people shopping. Which made sense, this being a major shopping center. Eventually Rodger found a space that wasn't too bad. The entrance between JC Penny's and Macy's was only some 30 spaces away from him, and two rows over.

Getting out, he retrieved the three packages from the trunk. One went to the manager at Bernotolli's book store. One went to somebody at The Magic Fudge. And one went to somebody with no real address beyond "typically hangs out around the food court or the dumpsters outside."

Well, he'd start with The Magic Fudge. He knew quite well where that was, and if he got turned around, the sound of operatic arias would lead him back towards it.

At the Magic Fudge, there were a few patrons sitting around, enjoying the lush pleasures of hot fudge sundaes and the like.

One man looks at Eskin as he is walking towards that area.

"Well, well...seems that courier service isn't quite what it used to be..." he seems to say in passing.

Rodger paused, looking at the man in confusion. "Pardon?"

The man cocked an eyebrow for a moment.

"Seems you have a package to deliver...it just so happens that I am waiting for a package. A...certain item of clothing...perhaps you might know something?"

"I might... name?" Rodger said, checking to be sure that this was the man that the parcel with this address was for.

"Emil Hawthorne, my good sir...."

Ooc: it matches the name on the package...

Rodger smiled, and handed the parcel over. "Enjoy your costume, Emil." He didn't sound thrilled in the least.

"Now now Mr. Eskin..there is no need to be so glum. Think of what you're doing as...a sacred duty. And thank you.."

He then motions Eskin to go away....

Obediently, Rodger let himself be shooed away. Sacred duty? More like unholy, in his point of view. Sacred? Was this some kind of Satanic cult, weird demon worshippers up to some weird demon worshipping kind of ceremonial circus? What a peculiar idea.

And off towards Bernotolli's he went with the two remaining packages for this stop.  At least this outfit looked - on the surface - like a normal business suit.

At Bernotelli's, there seemed to be a mild rush. There were about 8 patrons in the store, each looking at varied topics of books. As Rodger walked in, there were two people behind the register. One appeared to be a very "green" (first day on the job) petite blonde woman, and the other person was a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair.

The young woman looked up and with almost a crack in her voice, said, "Welcome to Bernotelli's sir, can I help ya find anything?"

The middle-aged man just stood back...slightly amused...