Zobostic - Left 2 Write: May 2018

Saturday, May 26, 2018

The Bottle

At 12:30 the judge called a lunch break. We were all to be back in our seats by 1:30. I wasn't really hungry so I just wandered down the street. At the intersection I crossed over and went into the Pottery Barn just to kill some time.

Everything in the store seemed to be rich looking, expensive and large, like you'd see in a catalog. I had no intention of buying anything, it was just fun to look around and imagine owning a house big enough to hold such great furnishings.

At one point I sat in a soft leather chair. It felt great. For just a moment I closed my eyes and enjoyed the experience. A voice startled me. A young sales girl was asking how I liked it. I quickly stood up and said it was great but I was only looking. "No problem. Just let me know if you need any assistance."

As she walked away I wandered over to some shelves holding a variety of bottles and fancy jars. One bottle in particular looked very interesting. The glass was a dark, smokey color with twine tightly wound around it's neck. The stopper at the top looked to be made of nickel, but not polished. The whole thing was no bigger than a 12 ounce water bottle, and although it appeared empty it weighed more than three 2-litter bottles of Coke. It almost felt like it was made of lead. I just couldn't tell where all the weight was coming from.

I looked at the little tag hanging from it but instead of a price it said to ask for assistance. I did have questions and was quite curious as to how much it was. I started walking around looking for the sales lady that had caught me trying out the chair. I finally spotted her at the far counter. She was on the phone and when she looked up she signaled she'd be right over.

I walked back to the shelves to have another look at the strange little bottle. I'd never seen such a thing. As I stood looking at it I could suddenly smell the saleslady's perfume. I turned and saw she was standing right next to me. I hadn't even heard her walk up.

"How may I help you Sir?"

I carefully lifted the bottle with both hands and asked her to tell me about it.

"Yes, that is our most unique piece. Our European buyer got this at an estate auction. Apparently it is one-of-a-kind. This is not in any of our catalogs or in any other store. This one is it."

Any idea why it's so heavy? She did not respond but said she would go to the computer and check on the price for me.

Yes please, I am very interested.

I carefully set it back on the shelf as she headed for the computer. As she looked up the price I asked her if she knew what was in it. I knew it was way too heavy to be filled with just water. Still typing on her computer she didn't even look up but just said, "Time."

I didn't understand what she meant but her response reminded me that I was just on a lunch break. I looked at my watch and it read 2:46.

Holy Mackerel! How can it be this late.

"Is there a problem, Sir?"

Sorry, I hadn't realized it had gotten so late. I was supposed to be in court like two hours ago.

Unfazed by my comment, she kept reading from her computer screen. "This bottle comes with a custom made black walnut case. I'll get it for you as soon as I can get this computer to cooperate."

I'm very sorry but I really have to get back to the courthouse. Can you hold that for me?

She stopped typing and looked straight at me.

"I don't think you understand me Sir. It's time. Once you own this bottle you can never be late again. You'll have full control over what you do with it, how you spend it, how much to let out, how much to save. The choices will be yours. From what I understand, it will never run out."

"That sir, is why it's so heavy."