The more things change the more they stay the same.
Although, to be honest, if we were in emotionally ‘Near Fine’ condition when this whole thing started–a few minor scuffs to our jacket edges etc.– we are now ‘Good+’ at best: dampstained on the fore-edge, an owner’s signature (not ours) on the front endpaper, LOTS of underlining. The shop is completely ‘Fine.’ But we, as people, are a bit ratty around the edges. Still lovable to a friend with kind eyes of course. Adorable, even, but this book has seen better days. We expect many of you feel the same.
Despite our recent return to regular shop hours we are back to delivery only. This time, we are offering free delivery in London on all orders. It’s actually darling to get in our van and drive around our weird town delivering books. We’ve driven to places we didn’t know existed: trailer parks where we didn’t know there were trailer parks, McMansions of deep conspicuousness, little porches with welcome signs and flowers, and a tenement house of sorts where Jason got the wrong address and was certain the guy had a gun (we are not making this up).
There was a moment there where Jason, peering into the Lynchian blackness, spotted a torn-dressed grandmother rocking in a chair, holding a can of peas. She stared back at him with rural hostility. He looked at her. She, again, back at him. They both briefly wondered if they were related. “What do you want?” the potentially-gunned man asked.
“Does Bob live here?”
“There’s no Bob here.”
Awkward pause.
“Is this apartment 8?”
“This is apartment 6.”
“Then I apologize for bothering you.”
“You better son.”
And they faded into darkness, reclaiming the void that brings forth all scorn.
Jason clutched his package and walked one door down. He hesitated, fearing Bob’s earthly form.
Jason knocked. Bob opened the door.
“Brown and Dickson!” Bob cheered.
Jason handed him the package.
“Here’s your James Thurber book.”
“I can’t wait to read it.”
A bird chirped in the apartment. Music played.
“I met the people in apartment 6,” Jason said.
Fearfully, Bob responded, “No one has lived there for years.”
…
We’re also happy to let you know that a huge Stephen King collection has come into the shop recently. We’ve catalogued all of it and it has had NO DISCERNABLE AFFECT ON US.
So, from our family, and Bob, to yours, we wish you Happy Lockdown!
With love,
Jason and Vanessa
