It had been a hard few days for Volex....What with the new tax on steel, coal, and brass, his income had yet again ground to a screeching halt. But what could you do about that sort of thing....especially here in London. The business day had once again begun, and he needed to make the money for his meal tonight....<br/><br/>He opened up his store front slowly, lifting the cage that protected the front of his small shop, small animal constructs lined up along the wooden shelf that bordered the street. Small dogs, birds, rabbits, rodents, cats....All of them glistening, polished, and clean. Yet inanimate. Volex took a long look at the street outside of his shop, and home and sighed. It was fifteen past noon, and the street was busy. He had some chance to make a sale, possibly even more.<br/><br/><i>Don't get ahead of yourself...</i><br/><br/>He had run out of his favorite blend of tea that morning....Strawberry and Earl Gray....Uncommon, and expensive. He still had the flavors on his tongue as he moved to his place behind the front counter and raised an arm into the streets.<br/><br/><b>"Come now! You there! Ma'am, a moment of your time!"</b>A young woman with a small child wandered over. Well it was more of the child leading the mother, from the way her arm was being tugged.<b>"Come child! Have you ever wanted a pet? A dog perhaps?"</b>The child vigerously shook his head up and down, his eyes glowing.<br/><br/><i><b>"Robert....you know what I said about pets...you can't have them. I'm sorry for bothering you ser."</b></i>The mother said as she tried to pull her son away who was reaching for one of the small iron clad dogs.<br/><br/><b>"Ma'am, I assure you, its no trouble at all. But before you go, just a moment more of your time."</b>She stopped with a small smile, and gestured for him to go on.<b>"Thank you. Now you say your son has wanted a pet before? I too understand the dilemma in a child wanting a pet. What with needing to feed the animal, care for it when it comes down with something, the damages it can cause.....But might I interest you in Sprove here?"</b><br/><br/>Volex reached over to one of the construct dogs, pulling one from the line up. A small version of a Scottish Terrier, exact in size, and surprisingly light.<b>"This is Sprove."</b>he said with a smile at the son before turning his attention to the mother.<b>"He's a replica of a Scott Terrier as you can see. He plays like a real dog, barks like one too, and if you want me to, I can give him a different mouth, and give you one of the best guard dogs you'll ever know!"</b>Volex took from his pocket a small brass circle and inserted it into a slot on the dog's bag. There was a low whirring noise from within the metal structure of the dog as its eyes slowly began to glow. It's small tail wagged happily back and forth, a metallic bark as well, as its little mechanical paws struggled to escape the grasp of Volex, who was still holding it by its underbelly.<br/><br/><b>"As you can see he's a lively little one, and he can be yours....for just 10 pounds...."</b>Volex let that hang in the air for a moment. He could see that the mother wasn't sure if she wanted to buy it. He added,<b>"Tell you what, I'll through in the guard dog mouth and it'll still be 10 pounds."</b><br/><br/>That seemed to convince her. She brought out her purse and asked him to make the necessary adjustments. Volex was ecstatic, he'd just bought his meal for 3 days! He took the small dog into the back of the shop, his tinker room and slowly, but carefully made the adjustments to the dog.<br/><br/>After some time he brought the small dog back out, a new jaw attached where it's old had been. Money exchanged hands, and he quickly pocketed the coins. There was still so much selling to do. He raised his voice to the passing throngs of the Lower City, calling for customers.<b>"Hey, you there!"</b><br/>===============<br/><br/>Sorry it took me so long guys...But hey, have fun!))<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>