Ep 2: The Disappearance
Bernie stood in the middle of Sidewalk Tramp, adjusting his glasses and furrowing his brow as he considered the sparkly jeweled watch on display. For a moment, it looked like he was about to make a decision—finally.
“Oh dear!” he suddenly exclaimed, his face going pale as if he’d just remembered something crucial.
Michael and Toby exchanged confused glances.
“I’ve just remembered... something very important,” Bernie announced dramatically, puffing out his chest. “I must dash!” And without further explanation, he spun on his heel and hurried out the door, leaving Michael and Toby in bewildered silence.
“What do you think he forgot?” Toby asked, still holding a pair of the latest sunglasses in one hand, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement.
“No idea,” Michael replied, rubbing his temples. “But I’m sure he’ll be back in no time. Bernie always comes back.”
Just as Michael was about to head back to the display, they both heard a loud crash from outside. The sound was unmistakable—something had gone terribly wrong in Trotter’s Alley. Without hesitation, Michael and Toby bolted out the door to investigate.
Outside, the scene was pure chaos. Francesca was standing next to her artisanal soap display, now a complete disaster. Dozens of her precious handmade soap bars were scattered across the cobblestone street, and, much to her horror, some had rolled right into the gutter where one of the local dogs had just done its business.
“Not the rosemary and lavender detox bars!” she wailed, hands clutching her face in exaggerated disbelief.
Michael stifled a laugh. "It’s just soap, Franny. Not like you lost a kidney dear."
Toby, trying to be helpful, picked up a soap bar and sniffed it, like it was a well worn pair of boxers. “Well, at least the street no longer smells like Sebastian’s after a busy night!”
Francesca shot him a look that could melt steel. “This is serious, Toby. These soaps cure heartbreak. You can’t just throw them into the gutter like they’re... like they’re... discount body wash!”
Before Michael could throw out a snarky remark, another figure joined the scene. Luca, the stylish and flamboyant owner of Rainbow Junction, stepped out of his shop, clearly intrigued by the commotion. His store’s bright rainbow display made a stark contrast to the crumbling soap disaster in front of Francesca’s shop.
“What on earth happened here?” Luca asked, looking around as if expecting a soap apocalypse.
“Franny’s soap had an unfortunate encounter with gravity,” Michael replied dryly, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation.
But before anyone could respond, a stray soap bar from Francesca’s display had rolled down the alley and, in classic slapstick fashion, landed under the foot of Sebastian, who was just coming out of his barber shop.
Thud!
Sebastian hit the ground with a loud, overly dramatic groan. “What the—? Who the hell’s throwing soap around? Is this some kind of attack?”
Michael burst into laughter, doubling over as Sebastian, now covered in sage & silverbeet soap suds, tried to regain his footing. “Sebastian, I think you’ve just been the victim of a... cleanliness ambush.”
Sebastian glared. “Next time, maybe aim for my mouth. Could use a little cleansing after dealing with what goes on here.”
Francesca, still horrified by the loss of her soaps, threw her hands up in the air. “This... this is what happens when you don’t respect artisanal craftsmanship!”
Michael shook his head, grinning. “Franny, love, I think the universe is telling you to ease up on the soap therapy.”
Just then, a passerby stopped to pick up one of the bars, sniffed it, and shouted, “Hey, is this the heartbreak cure soap?! My boyfriend just dumped me!”
Francesca’s face lit up. “YES! That’s the one!”
As the crowd dispersed and the chaos started to calm, Michael noticed a couple of tourists wandering into Sidewalk Tramp. Michael couldn’t help but smile—there’s nothing like a good disaster to drive some foot traffic.