Ep 4: Clues, Confusion, and Muffin Madness
It was the next morning at Sidewalk Tramp, and the sun streamed through the window, casting warm light over a fresh display of sunglasses. Michael paced the floor, deep in thought about the events of the day before. Bernie’s mysterious exit, Luca’s cryptic warning, and those eager tourists—every piece of it buzzed in his mind like a fly he couldn’t swat.
“Right,” Michael said, snapping his fingers at Toby, who was trying to balance a stack of neon-colored sneakers behind the counter. “Toby, I want you to find out what’s happening up at Bernie’s place. See if you can dig up any gossip from around the 'hood. But be back by lunch. The lunch trade is crucial, and I can’t manage it solo.”
Toby saluted, though his expression was more excited than serious. “Spy mission accepted! Just call me Secret Agent Tobias. Oh, and don’t give away any more stock to tourists before I get back. I have a feeling they’re playing us.” He shot Michael a look, then strutted out the door with all the grace of a spy in thongs.
With Toby on his “mission,” Michael tried to focus on tidying up the bag display. Just as he straightened the last one, the bell above the door chimed. Margo floated in, balancing a tray of freshly baked muffins. She wore her usual serene smile, though Michael thought he detected a twinkle of mischief in her eye.
“Morning, Margo. What brings you by?” Michael asked, eyeing the muffins suspiciously. Margo was known for her experimental recipes.
“Oh, just thought I’d share a little morning treat,” she said sweetly, offering him a muffin. “They’re gluten-free... mostly.”
Michael took a bite, and the sweetness hit him like a freight train. “Mmm... these are... really good,” he mumbled, the flavors swirling in his mouth. He finished one muffin quickly, feeling oddly... giddy.
Margo leaned on the counter and sighed dramatically. “Are you going to Franny’s launch next week? ‘Seize & Seduce’? Honestly, I think she’s lost her mind with that name. It sounds like a cheap stench for sleazy pickup types.”
Michael chuckled, leaning back against the display. “Yeah, but she’s committed. She came in here with her fancy invites yesterday, flaunting that name like it’s the next Chanel No. 5.”
Meanwhile, the muffin seemed to have a surprising effect on Michael. A giggle slipped out, far louder than he intended. He glanced at Margo, who raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, that mischievous twinkle in her eye growing even brighter. “Enjoy the muffins, love,” she said innocently before heading back to Eat My Plant.
As Margo left, Michael felt a sudden wave of euphoria washing over him. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, but the muffins were undeniably delicious, so he brushed it off.
A couple of hours later, Toby returned to the store, looking harried and slightly out of breath. He had a wild gleam in his eye and department store cologne samples sticking out of his pocket. “Michael, you will not believe what I found out—wait, are you... okay?”
Michael, who had been swaying gently to the store’s music, snapped back to reality. “What? Yeah, yeah, I’m fine. Just... enjoying the morning. You were late, by the way!”
Toby squinted, leaning in closer. “You look... high. What did you eat?”
Michael gestured to the muffins. “Margo’s special recipe, apparently. I think she added... something extra.”
Toby’s eyes widened as he snatched up one of the remaining muffins. “She’s dosing the muffins now? Oh, this is rich!” He laughed, but quickly remembered why he’d come back. “Oh, and by the way, Bernie’s neighbors said they heard some strange noises coming from his apartment last night. Like... a thud. And then he was gone with a suitcase. But no one knows where. Creepy, huh?”
Before Michael could respond, the bell tinkled again, and in swaggered Sebastian, looking unnaturally cheerful. His smile was wide, his eyes glassy, and he clapped Michael on the back so hard that a few sunglasses wobbled in the display.
“Heyyy, boys! Just thought I’d let you know the barbershop might be a bit... busier than usual this Friday night,” Sebastian drawled, a slight slur to his words. “Could use some fresh clientele, if you know what I mean.” He winked, then started chuckling to himself, clearly enjoying a joke only he understood.
Michael and Toby exchanged a knowing look, certain that something dubious was going on behind the closed doors of Sebastian’s. “Great, just what we need,” Michael mumbled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “A mystery at Bernie’s, drugged muffins, and a possible... operation in the barbershop.”
Toby snorted. “Operation? Please. I’m still betting he’s running a secret sex club back there.”
Michael sighed dramatically, running a hand through his hair as he scanned the store, which was now buzzing with a few more curious shoppers. “Whatever it is, it’s bound to come out eventually. Just... not before I finish these damn muffins.”
As he polished off another bite, Michael couldn’t help but wonder—was this just the beginning of the chaos? And what secrets were hiding behind every door of Trotter’s Alley?