video;

[redwinekindofgirl]

Sooooo everyone noticed the fucking strip mall starting up outside, yeah?

[Julie is standing near one of the outside windows. The 'HOT' part of the 'HOT TOPIC' sign is visible over her left shoulder. Her right shoulder is occupied by a small, cat-like creature that's staring into the camera while Julie speaks.

She jerks her thumb over her shoulder, both eyebrows raised.]

Are we not talking about the strip mall? Is it like the first rule?

[There's a pause, then she tosses her head slightly and grins.]

I'm going to Hot Topic, in like... ten minutes, if anyone else wants to come.

Comments

[audio | @SCARAMOUCHE]

[numerouno]

Oh Jujubug, baby, you can do better than that.

[He knows it and so should she.]

[redwinekindofgirl]

Really? 'Cause like... fucking point me at Ralph Lauren or Louis Vuitton and I'll go there instead. We're not really swimming in options, here.

[numerouno]

You make do with what you got; I'm just sayin' you got a lot.

[redwinekindofgirl]

[Pft...]

I'm making do with what I've got. What I've got is Hot Topic.

[numerouno]

Tell you what, babe: when something high-end shows up, we'll both go.

[redwinekindofgirl]

[She snickers softly.]

What you into? Gucci? A bit of Dolce & Gabbana?

[numerouno]

Show me anything with a big ticket.

[Not that he needs a change of wardrobe or anything--he's fine with what he's got--but you never know what they might find.]

[redwinekindofgirl]

[She rolls her eyes slightly.]

Soooooo. Don't want anything from Hot Topic?

[numerouno]

Uh-uh. [He's already seen what's on offer; it didn't leave an impression.]

Hey, [he adds as an afterthought, lowering his voice a little,] could you let me know if another boutique opens up? [That is, if he doesn't notice it first.

He might be up to something.]

[redwinekindofgirl]

[She arches both eyebrows, but... hey, it's an innocent enough request.]

Uh... sure, dude.

[Her smile turns crooked.]

You got a particular style I should be looking out for?

[numerouno]

[His answer is automatic:]

Vintage twentieth century ladieswear.

[He isn't looking out for it for himself, but Jujubug can think what she wants.]

[redwinekindofgirl]

[She snorts.]

Wow, okay. Yeah, whatever floats your boat, dude.

[numerouno]

Don't let me down, babe--I'm counting on you.