by Sarah Earlene Shere, ©2024
(Jun. 1, 2024) — The old inventor had retired to his chambers above the store hours before, leaving his shop of curios to sit in silence, save for the ticking of the clock on the wall behind the counter. The only light came through the windows from the gas streetlamps outside. Suddenly, rain started to fall and soon began to dance a lovely rhythm upon the windowpanes. It was near this moment that the old clock began to strike midnight.
At this magic hour, the face of the clock took on the appearance of just that: a face. Slowly it stretched a bit, then two eyes blinked open; the hands slid down till they took on the appearance of a distinguished mustache. Once awake, it gave a broad smile as it watched its roommates come to life. Even the flowers in the vase on the counter leapt from their confines and danced to the tune the music box had begun to play. The rain landing on the windows pressed themselves against the glass in order to get a better view and laughed as they slid down the panes.
In the meantime, an unfinished automaton, sitting in the back corner of the wooden cabinet, kept his gaze fastened across the room, atop a shelf, on a lovely porcelain lady with a ruby heart. Shyly, she gave him a smile and a curtsy. Their friends around them saw the spark between the two and endeavored to help each one down from their perch. But the crowded room was not easy to navigate. The porcelain doll slipped and sailed through the air. In an effort to catch her, the young automaton jumped and reached for his beloved. He caught her in his arms, but both crashed to the ground.
Having been awakened by the noise, the old inventor entered, candle in hand. There, at his feet, he found the broken lady and automaton, with gears and springs lying beside. The man smiled as he lovingly scooped up the pieces and took them back to his workbench.
The next evening, after the magic hour, a new automaton sat on the counter, having been completed with coverings of porcelain and a ruby heart, and the residents of the store celebrated the joining together of their two friends.