Overheard at Chipperfields ... Part LVI ...

"Sweet !!" The high school student exclaimed with a smile as Dani handed him his small English Toffee Latte, "That's the one I needed?"

"Excuse me?" said Dani, glancing to Kiera standing beside her.

"I said, 'sweet' because I needed that lid plug," said the student with a smile, offering a nod at Kiera, "I had the other colours in this shape, and I needed this one to finish the set."

"Finish the set?" asked Dani, clearly confused, "you know that we don't offer prizes for collecting the lid plugs don't you?" offered Dani.

"No, it's nothing like that," said the student, "we're collecting the different shapes and colours of the lid plugs. I have all the round ones, and I just needed the purple drop shaped one to complete my set. But all last week I got a pink round one, and no one wanted to trade."

"No one wanted to trade," repeated Dani, "you are trading the lid plugs?" she said incredulously, "when did you start collecting the lid plugs according to shape and colour?"

"Since they started using them," answered the student, "and now I have the whole set ..." He paused for a moment before lowering his voice, "unless they're about to introduce new shapes and colours or something like that ..." he glanced around the room before asking Dani his final question, "they're NOT planning on introducing new colours or shapes are they?"

Dani shook her head, thinking of the boxes and boxes of lid plugs in the storage room in the basement. The lingering reminder of Ross' keyboard mis-stroke some weeks ago, "No we'll be sticking with current colour and shape selection for the foreseeable future. Sorry."

"Oh, that's okey," answered the student, removing the plug and putting it safely in his pocket, "I've got the whole set ..." he turned to join his friends on the couches in the front window but paused for a moment, "oh by the way - thanks for this ... all of this."

"You're welcome," answered Dani smiling.

The Rev stepped up to the counter, he was dressed in his long black coat and his cleric garb. With his dark shades he looked like a visitor from the Movie Men in Black.

"What can I get you Rev?" asked Dani.

"Large Chipperfield for here," answered The Rev, "So, what was that all about?" he pointed his right thumb at the teens sitting on the couches in front of the windows."

"Oh, he was just really happy with his service," said Dani with a smile.

"They're collecting the lid plugs, and he just got the last one he needed to complete his set," answered Kiera punching in the price for The Rev's coffee, then signing his buyer's card.

"The lid plugs?" The Rev marvelled, "the kids are collecting the lid plugs? Does Ross know yet?"

"First we heard was today," said Dani handing him his coffee, "I doubt he knows yet."

"Oh Gawd help us when he finds out," said The Rev moving to the counter with the cream and sugar, "He'll want to introduce the limited edition plugs and seasonal ones, and ..." The Rev paused before continuing, "... and then he'll want to float more of his cock-eyed ideas ..."

"Oh !!" Dani exclaimed, "I hadn't thought of THAT. I just thought the whole idea of kids collecting the plastic plugs was cute."

"It might be cute, but it has ominous implications," said The Rev, looking around, "He's NOT here is he?"

Kiera shook her head,"He won't be back until he finishes his road trip to somewhere in Saskatchewan."

"Okay tell Bonnie about this," said The Rev, "but don't let Ross know anything about it."

"Why?" asked Kiera.

"Because if he thinks even for a moment that one of his hare-brained ideas MIGHT actually work," The Rev's voice stretched 'might' out as he spoke, "He'll want to try some of the other ideas too."

"What's wrong with that?" asked Kiera, "the cup sleeves aren't a bad idea, and the seasonal and limited plugs might be an idea."

"That's not the idea I'm worried about," said The Rev.

"OH !!" Dani exclaimed, "You mean the whole Holy Water idea don't you?"

The Rev just nodded before speaking, "Thanks for catching up here," He looked around again before continuing, "I don't mind some of his ideas, and even I would concede that the advertising on the cup sleeves might actually work, and I would even reluctantly admit the limited edition plugs could work too. But for the Love of all that is Holy, Ross can't know any of this, or he'll want to push the whole Television ministry and Holy Water thing."

"Um Rev, there's something you should know," Dani looked around the store before reaching under the counter and pulling out a small cardboard box that she opened. Inside were several dozen small plastic sleeves filled with fluid. On the outside was printed the image of a stylized dove and the words 'Prairie Springs Ministry', "you haven't seen these have you?"

The Rev's jaw dropped as he reached out and picked out one of the packets, "you've GOT to be kidding?"

Dani and Kiera shook thier heads.

"He's already started on it ..." The Rev's voice trailed off as he turned the packet over in his hands, shaking his head ...

Silence descended on the store.

Finally Kiera broke the silence with a broad smile, "well, if the lid plugs are any indication, maybe this idea might actually work ?" her voice sounded hopeful ... a feeling that was not present in the room at that moment ...