Advantage Shoe Store

Funny that a pair of really nice shoes make us feel good in our heads - at the extreme opposite end of our bodies. ~Levende Waters

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Spock in his new clothes walked next to Sulu as they returned to the car. He absently entered the backseat when Hikaru opened the door for him. “Mr. Sulu?” Spock said when the car was on the street.

“Just Sulu, Spock. Or Hikaru. Either one,” Sulu laughed.

“Does Mr. Kirk buy clothes for others on a regular basis?” Spock asked.

“Nope. But he shops at Floyd’s whenever he’s here.”

“Why was Floyd not surprised that Mr. Kirk was purchasing my clothes?”

“Floyd isn’t surprised by much, Spock. And I was with you. So he knew Jim was taking care of everything.”

Spock nodded but he was not entirely satisfied with the explanation. Floyd seemed too nonchalant about Sulu entering his store accompanied by someone who could only be a ‘hired’ friend.

“No use perseverating over it,” Sulu told him. “Jim does things his own way for his own reasons. We all know that.”

“Do you work for Jim full time?”

“I do. I’m in California because he is.”

“Where does he live when he is not here?” Spock asked.

“In Virginia,” Sulu said vaguely.

Spock knew not to ask again or for additional information and contented himself with watching the scenery slip by. It didn’t take long for Sulu to park the car and open the door for Spock.

“This one,” Sulu said, leading Spock to the Advantage Shoe Store. The door opened as they approached, an older man greeting them.

“Hikaru. Good to see you again,” he said with enthusiasm.

“You too, Barry. Earl not around?” Sulu asked.

“He’s at the other store. Not a problem. I talked to Floyd,” he said, studying Spock with an all-knowing eye. “I have some possibilities set aside.”

Sulu nodded, leading Spock further into the store which looked much like any other shoe store. Except there was a relaxed atmosphere to it, as though everyone who entered was in some inexplicable way family.

“Sit,” Barry directed, disappearing momentarily before returning with two stacks of shoe boxes. “You want tea?”

“I’d love some,” Sulu agreed.

“You know where it is,” Barry said, his focus still on Spock as he waved toward the back of the store.

“Spock? Tea?”

“Yes please,” Spock agreed feeling a little overwhelmed by all that was going on. It was so very different from his usual life he didn’t know how to take it all in.

Barry took the first pair of shoes out, comfortable topsiders that would do for almost any casual occasion. “Give these a try.”

Spock slipped them on, the fit perfect, the shoes feeling as though they had been made just for him. “These are excellent.”

“Good. Walk a little. Just make sure.”

Spock nodded, doing as instructed, wondering at the comfort of these brand new shoes. It was amazing to him that shoes directly out of a box could feel so broken-in and perfect.

“Good, good,” Barry said. “These will be a bit stiffer.” He placed a pair of dark brown leather shoes in front of Spock’s chair, Spock trading the first pair for the second. The more formal shoes were stiffer but still extremely comfortable.

“These are also excellent,” Spock said with a nod. They both looked over at Sulu as he exited the back room.

“If you’re okay, I need to go,” Sulu said to Spock.

“I am fine. I will be able to return on my own,” Spock assured him.

“All right. Be sure and eat lunch,” Sulu reminded him with a smile before leaving the store.

Barry helped Spock out of the second pair of shoes and into the third, also a perfect fit. “Very good,” Barry said with a nod.

“Do you sell sneakers as well?” Spock asked, looking down at the black shoes that also seemed made just for him.

“I do. Black? Grey?”

“Whatever is most appropriate,” Spock said, leaving it to Barry.

Barry disappeared momentarily before returning with two more boxes. “Grey and black.”

Spock looked into the boxes, nodding in approval. “Thank you.”

“No need to thank me,” Barry assured him. “Isn’t much I wouldn’t do for Mr. Kirk.”

“Why is that?” Spock asked, the words leaving his mouth before he was aware he was planning to say them.

Barry smiled at the question, a mysterious but warm smile. “You’ll understand. It’s inevitable.”

Spock did not respond to that, not knowing what he would say.

“I’ll dispose of these,” Barry said, picking up Spock’s worn out sandals and moving them aside. “You wear the sneakers and carry the others. I’ll put them in totes for you.”

“Do I need to pay you?” Spock asked, standing up to test the sneakers, finding them perfect.

“Mr. Kirk will settle up. It’s not a concern,” Barry said, putting the other shoes into two convenient bags with sturdy handles. “I’ll call you a cab. It will be here in no time.”

“I am capable of taking public transportation.”

“I know that. But Mr. Kirk wants you to return in a taxi. I’m not going to be the one to tell him you didn’t,” Barry laughed, picking up the store phone and making the necessary arrangements. “You’re all set. It’ll be about 10 minutes. I’ll get you the tea Sulu was making while you’re waiting.”

“That is not necessary,” Spock said.

“My pleasure. Sit. I won’t be a minute,” Barry told him, waving at the chairs.

Spock did it, not quite knowing what else he should do. He looked up at Barry when he returned with the cup of tea. “I need to purchase briefs,” he said, wondering why it was so difficult to admit that to this very nice gentleman who had been so helpful. Not surprisingly, Barry laughed at the statement.

“Floyd will take care of it. I’ll call to make sure,” Barry said.

“He did not seem to carry briefs in his shop,” Spock said, hoping the color was not really rising on his cheeks. Briefs. Discussing briefs was making him nearly blush. So much for his Vulcan reserve.

“Doesn’t mean he won’t get them for you. As long as you are with Mr. Kirk, you don’t need to worry about much of anything,” Barry said warmly.

Spock could only nod at that, a truth he was learning more and more each moment. He sipped his tea as Barry puttered around the store, making some notes, checking the shelves for appropriate inventory, answering the phone.

Precisely 9 1/2 minutes after Barry called, the taxi arrived outside the store, Barry insisting on carrying the totes to the cab. When Spock and his new shoes were safely inside, Barry told the driver where to go, the driver nodding.

There was no conversation as the taxi returned Spock up the hill to the hotel. If the driver thought it odd that he was delivering Spock and his totes there, Spock could not tell.

The driver left the cab to open Spock’s door, asking if he needed help to get his purchases inside.

“I am fine,” Spock assured him, putting his hand into one pocket. “How much do I owe you?”

The driver waved him off. “Mr. Kirk will settle with us,” the driver said. “You have a good day.”

“Thank you,” Spock said, watching in a daze as the taxi drove off. Mr. Kirk certainly had a lot of friends in Los Angeles. Deciding not to consider it any further, Spock picked up his two totes, intending to enter through the side door. Only then did he realize he had neglected to take one of the plastic entry cards from the suite when he left. Accepting the inevitable, he entered through the gigantic front doors which parted at his approach. He was intercepted halfway to the front desk by a beautiful woman with long dark hair, dark serious eyes, and legs that seemed to go on forever.

“May I help you?” she asked, her tone a now familiar icy disapproval.

“I am a guest of Mr. Kirk’s,” Spock told her, her skepticism etched on her face. “I neglected to bring an entry card with me when I left.”

“You’re staying in our penthouse,” the woman said.

“Yes, Ms Uhura,” Spock said with a glance at her nametag which also indicated that she was associate manager. “I am a guest of Mr. Kirk.”

“He neglected to inform us that he was hosting a second person,” she told him, her voice still cold.

“It no doubt slipped his mind,” Spock informed her, his own tone colder than before.

“It would seem so,” Ms Uhura said, appraising Spock with a glance. Spock got the impression that a change in his clothing was not adequate to disguise the true nature of his ‘relationship’ with Mr. Kirk.

“If you would like to contact Mr. Kirk, he will verify my statement,” Spock said, taking the phone out of the pocket of his new pants. He held it out to her in invitation. Or challenge.

She raised one elegant eyebrow before accepting the phone to glance at the directory. As there were only three contacts listed, she quickly found the one she needed, speed dialing Mr. Kirk.

“Hello,” Jim’s voice said, warm and inviting.

“Mr. Kirk,” Ms Uhura said, her voice polar opposite.

“Ah, Ms Uhura,” Jim said with a laugh. “How may I assist you?”

“It is required that you inform us when you host a second person in the penthouse,” she told him, still icy and possibly indignant.

It did not help her mood when he laughed. “I would think for the amount you charge for the penthouse I could host an entire football team without question.”

“It is hotel policy,” she told him.

“Very well. Do you need it in writing? Or is my verbal authorization sufficient?” he asked, barely disguising his amusement.

“Your verbal agreement is adequate. As long as we know that Mr….?”

“Spock,” Kirk told her.

“That Mr. Spock is your guest, we will make a note on the registry,” she said.

“Very well. May I speak with Mr. Spock while you make him a key?” Jim asked, expecting to be obeyed.

“Certainly,” Ms Uhura said, returning Spock’s phone to him before sashaying away to have the requested key made.

“Hello,” Spock said when he had the phone.

“Hi,” Jim said, a warm smile in his voice. “You get new clothes?”

“I did,” Spock agreed. “Thank you for sending Sulu to accompany me.”

“He knows everybody,” Jim said.

“As do you,” Spock said, making Jim laugh.

“It only seems that way,” Jim told him. “Go on up and order room service. I’m going to check so don’t try skipping lunch.”

“I will eat,” Spock promised. “Then I will attempt to break into your computer.”

Jim laughed again. “Be my guest. If you discover gold, I get half.”

“Agreed,” Spock said, accepting the key from Ms Uhura who had melted a little in the interim. “I will see you tonight?”

“Unless you’re already asleep,” Jim said. “We’re expected at the baseball stadium at noon tomorrow. Sulu will come pick you up at 11:00, to be on the safe side.”

“You will not be here?” Spock asked in some disappointment. He was waiting for the elevator, watching its slow descent.

“I have work to do. I’ll meet you at the stadium.”

“Tomorrow is Sunday,” Spock reminded him.

“Yeah. I won’t have to come back here after the game.”

“That is good,” Spock said. “I am entering the elevator. Our connection will no doubt be terminated.”

“No doubt,” Jim laughed. “I need to go anyway.”

“Goodbye,” Spock said, disconnecting as he entered the elevator. He swiped his brand new card before pressing the ‘penthouse’ button, the elevator gliding smoothly up the deliver him.