Page 5 of Truth or Spare

“We’ll see how long it takes to reorder everythingyou’ve stolen,Theo.Please check in soon.”

“Ciao!” Theo said brightly, then hung up so he could dress for work.

He had spent the prior evening unpacking his four suitcases and various bags. Both Dewey and the Greyhound driver had been taken aback by Theo’s luggage, but he had assured them that it was all vital. He was packed and prepared for any situation and Theo’s wardrobe would be the key to his success.

While he might not have many technical skills, Theo was confident he could dress for any part and learn everything he needed along the way. His optimism and luck had carried him in the past and Theo intended to impress Dewey by looking sharp and perfectly refreshed when he reported for his first morning at the bowling alley.

He quickly cleansed and slathered a black rose mask onto his face before considering his wardrobe. It was stuffed into the Winnie’s narrow closet and folded into its cabinets where food and other necessities probably went. Even the microwave was filled with Theo’s ties and pocket squares and most of thegels, serums, and creams he had stockpiled had gone into the refrigerator.

For his first day ensemble, Theo had selected a crisp, white Hermés shirt, navy Prada trousers, and leather Oxfords. His paisley Holderson tie and socks had hot pink roses that would match the bowling alley’s logo perfectly. Theo couldn’t wait to show them to Dewey. He was humming excitedly as he started the hot water, filling the narrow bathroom with steam while he whipped his shaving soap into a lather for after his shower.

Theo stepped into the stall with his body wash and had just scrubbed it into his pits when the water turned ice-cold. “Scheiße!” he yelped and leaped back, knocking the shower door open and sending him crashing through the bathroom door.

He fell back against the microwave and hit his head as he stumbled and swatted, flinging water and bubbles around him. Theo slipped and skated on the fake tile floor, but managed to remain upright by hanging onto the RV’s passenger seat.

It took him a moment to make his way back to the closet and find his robe and Theo was flustered and breathless when he finally turned off the shower. He went to the sink to rinse the mask off his face to stop it from sliding into his eyes and swore at the frigid water coming from the tap.

There was a knock on the Winnie’s door, causing Theo to jump and slip. He skated on the wet floor again, tripping into the counter as he went to answer it.

He pushed the door open and grabbed the jamb before he fell out. “Yes?” he asked and greeted Dewey with a brave smile.

“Everything alright? I heard some shouting and banging,” he said, his mustache and beard twisting into a concerned grimace.

“Everything’s fine! Hot water seems to have stopped working, though,” Theo said as he gestured behind him.

Dewey nodded slowly. “It’s a pretty small tank so you’ve got about five minute’s worth of hot water.”

“Five minutes?”

“Did you think you’d be able to take a normal shower in there?” Dewey asked, sounding slightly incredulous so Theo made apffft!sound and waved it off.

“Of course, not! I just didn’t realize it would be that short. Kein Problem. I’m sure I can manage just fine,” he said.

“Are you sure because you’re…dripping,” Dewey said as he flailed in Theo’s direction.

“Kein Problem!”

“Okay… If you’re sure.” Dewey nodded and checked his watch. “We open in an hour and I’m usually oiling the lanes right about now.”

“Scheiße! Don’t let me keep you. I’ll be right along!” Theo promised before promptly swinging the door shut so Dewey wouldn’t see him panicking.

Theo wasn’t as prompt as he would have liked, unfortunately. It took half an hour for the hot water to be replenished and it ran out again before Theo could rinse his body and wash his hair. He had to complete the rest of his routine with cold water and arrived for work with several cuts on his chin and jaw and wearing wrinkled trousers.

“I am dreadfully sorry and promise I’ll have all my pants pressed again,” Theo reassured Dewey. “Once I have located a dry cleaner,” he added sheepishly.

Dewey was seated on one of the alley’s ten pink fiberglass benches, reading a paper. He frowned up at Theo, his long legs extended and his work boots crossed. “I canceled the board meeting so you can lose the tie.”

“Oh?” Theo pressed a hand against it protectively, his smile fading as Dewey scanned his ensemble with open disapproval. “I wasn’t sure what would be appropriate but I wanted to make a good impression with our guests,” he explained.

“Our guests?” That earned a bemused snort from Dewey as he heaved himself up and gestured for Theo to follow as he stalked past the first lane and around the wall. “Behold: the workshop,” he informed Theo with a dramatic wave. “Nobody cares about what you look like back here.”

The workshop reminded Theo of the engine room of a cruise ship, with its wall of tools and spare parts and ten hulking red pinsetter units. Each unit housed a table that lowered the pins onto the lanes. Theo was mesmerized as he watched the chains and pulleys sweeping up pins and loading them into racks while glistening bowling balls were wiped down and rolled back along the lanes to waiting bowlers.

“Ach so!” Theo had declared several times as Dewey named and explained the many different parts and their functions.

Dewey threw an arm out, blocking Theo when he leaned over the machine on lane 10 for a closer look. “That’ll get ripped off and break something expensive or you’ll choke yourself to death.” He gave Theo’s tie a hard tug and flipped it over his shoulder. “Lose it or learn to tuck it in your shirt before you touch anything back here.”

“Right!” Theo quickly removed his tie, rolled it up, then slipped it into his pocket.

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