Dr. NoSleep

Is cash alright, or would you prefer store credit?

I'm never coming back here again!

Cash it is.

I leave the toy there on the counter and go to the register.

After pulling out his refund amount, I count it out for him and hand him the spare change with the bills.

I am sorry to hear about your son, sir.

I hope things work out.

He snorts, snatches the cash from me, and storms out of the store, nearly knocking the door off its hinges as he leaves.

I wait a few moments, just in case he comes back.

When he doesn't, and no one else comes into the store, I hurry to the door and lock it.

Then I hurry back to the counter and grab my mini screwdriver set.

Opening the back, I set the molded plastic aside and look at the electronics inside.

Well, that's not true.

I don't care about the electronics.

It's the glass vial with the swirling blue and white liquid inside it that matters.

I find my gloves under the counter, pull them on, then carefully extract the vial from the two clamps holding it steady.

I set the vial to the side, fetch an empty from under the counter, and place the empty between the clamps.

Then I screw the back on the toy and smile at the swirling vial sitting on the counter.

Then I pick it up.

Like I am holding nitroglycerin, I slowly walk to the office door and give it a tap with my toe.