Empire Records and Bidet [2/8]

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Lucas couldn't sleep and was bored and shared a brain with a student from the shop class so he decided to open up shop early while he puttered around on his computer playing yahoo!pool looking up whatever he could find on excommunicated Italian architects .

Today's music mix, all German, all the time: Rammstein, Die Toten Hosen, Die Frisore, Blumchen, Nena, and what sounds suspiciously like an old cartoon's theme song are all included.

Comments

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam walked into the store and headed straight for the bargain record bin.

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Lucas looked up with his customary raised eyebrow. "Can I help you find anything?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"I'm looking for an easily breakable record. One that makes good shards. Can you recommend something?"

Realizing this may sound a little crazy, Sam also said, "Oh, and something kind of fun and funky with a good bass line. You know, that can be turned up during a dance break from schoolwork."

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"I've found that most records break the same way. Are you looking for vinyl, or a CD? I imagine a CD's shards would be somewhat sharper edged." Lucas glanced down at the bargain bin. "As far as dance breaks, perhaps ABBA or something similar?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Hmm." She picked an album out of the bin at random, saw "Sonny and Cher's Greatest Hits" and automatically put it back. "You've got a point about that, but do you think a vinyl shard would be sturdier in the long run?"

"ABBA?" Sam looked horrified. "No, and no disco. Sorry, I should have specified. I'll actually be listening to this one."

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Lucas raised both eyebrows, and then shrugged. "Perhaps. It would be harder to break into shards, however. As far as the one you'll be listening to, what type of music do you normally enjoy?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Also a good point," Sam said, "do you have any CDs you're trying to offload at a really low price? It's for a class assignment."

"As for my music?" She cocked her head and tried to describe it. "I like just about anything but rap and country and western. Especially stuff from the 70s and 80s. Nothing depressing this time."

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*And disco, apprently,* Lucas thinks, but he doesn't say it. "I have an entire stack of free sample cds in the backroom you can have for free, if you want. I like my current ISP well enough, so I won't be needing them." Lucas shrugged. "As far as music, how about the Talking Heads?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam smiled at him. "Thanks, that would be great. Is there a Talking Heads album I should start with? I'm not that familiar with them."

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Lucas heads over to the new wave section and pulls out an album. "This might suit you as a starter."

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

Sam looked it over. "Sounds good. I'll give it a shot."

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"Glad I could help." Lucas starts towards the back room. "How many breakables do you want?" He paused. "And why do you want to make shards out of music, anyway?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"Um, two or three should be fine," Sam said, after some thought as she made her way to the register. "And it wasn't really making them out of music, but using something unusual that I could use as a cutting implement."

She shrugged. "It's for shop class."

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Lucas nodded. "Sounds like an interesting class." He ducked back into the back room and returned with three CDs in cheap paper sleeves. "Anything else you need today?"

[carter-i-am.livejournal.com]

"No, that's it, thanks." Sam pulled out her wallet. "And thanks for the CDs, that's really nice of you. I'm Sam, by the way."

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"Lucas." He rang up the total. "Nice to meet you."

[nadiathesaint]

Once she's finished at All and Sundries, Nadia heads for Empire, figuring if anyone had an alternative to duct tape, it would be Lucas.

No, she's not certain how she came to this conclusion, either, but there you go.

"Hey, Lucas," she calls as soon as she enters. "Can you help me with something?"

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Lucas tilts his head. "Sure, Nadia, what's up?"

[nadiathesaint]

Nadia shrugged slightly, shifting her now rather full backpack on her shoulder. "Do you know of an alternative to duct tape?"

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Lucas stared at her for a long moment before answering. "Actually, I just might." He lead the way to the back room. "Marc's technician left some of his things here."

[nadiathesaint]

Nadia followed, both excited by the prospect of duct tape alternative, and confused as to why it would come from a surprisingly successful Gwar tribute band's technician. "It's for a school assignment," she said, just so her new boss wouldn't think her completely insane.

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"Shop class?" Lucas raised an eyebrow. "I have some old cds, if you want,"

He dug through the pile of stuff left by Gwar and pulled out a roll of black tape. "Here we go,"

[nadiathesaint]

Nadia frowned. "Why would I need cds? We're supposed to gather small tools for survival. We've all got swiss army knives and duct tape. I don't like duct tape." Nadia took the roll of black tape and peered at it. It seemed to be made up of finely woven cloth. It certainly looked strong, and kind of . . . absorbant. "What's this stuff? And did they leave any pliers?"

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It took a few seconds for Lucas to catch up with Nadia's babbled questions. "One of your classmates requested them. Something about creative cutting instruments. That's gaffer's tape, or 'gaff tape'. About as strong as duct tape, doesn't leave nearly the same amount of residue, and it'll soak up any water before it can get through the glue. Most of the time, anyway. As for pliers," Lucas sifted through the pile again. "How's this?" He holds up a Leatherman.

[nadiathesaint]

Nadia's eyes widened, and she grinned. "Perfect!" Then the smile faded. "How much is it?"