With a smile of thanks, the man accepted the paper and disappeared into the depths of the basement store.
"What's with the newspaper business?" demanded Ken.
"That's part of the bargain," said Jack. "When I bought the television set, I agreed to bring him a late newspaper every time I come in the store."
"Hmm. Queer setup. And what kind of funny clothes is he wearing?"
"Store uniform, I guess."
"Some uniform," remarked Ken, who worked in a men's clothing store. "That fabric's spun glass, I think. And some of these people in 'store uniforms' seem to be customers."
Indeed, some of the perhaps two dozen people visible, all dressed like the clerk, appeared to be making purchases.
While waiting for the clerk to return, the two of them looked around at the nearby counters.
"Funny thing about this place," said Ken, "is I don't know what seventy per cent of these gadgets they're selling are. Those I can recognize look strange. Like that set of dishes—I'm no housewife, but I've never seen shapes like those before."