On the sunnier side of the world and across from a grand trash alley, Jack Allison was preparing for his daily constitutional. “Goodbye Sweet Cait-ly my dear!” He called to the inside of his home, his pipe in one hand and the front door’s knob in the other.

“Out for your daily constitutional are you?” called a females voice from within.

“Right as rain my little dove!” Said Jack.

“Jack Allison you just wait!” Sweet Cait-ly ordered, “don’t you move an inch!” And so Jack held his position, still as a stone until Sweet Cait-ly appeared in the doorway, the adorable head of their little dog Kenny sticking out of her aprons front pocket. “We can’t have you off without your pre-constitutional kiss, now can we?” Sweet Cait-ly asked, the un-tied ribbons of her bonnet swayed as she moved to pose in faux indignation, with her hip cocked to one side and arms held akimbo. She stuck her tongue out at him.

“Oh you!” Jack rumbled before breaking into a chuckle, “right you are then, c’mere!” He lifted Sweet Cait-ly up by the waist and spun her --just a bit. She giggled and planted a kiss right on his nose. When Jack set her down, Kenny barked and leapt out of the apron pocket aiming right for Jacks face, he caught her in flight and then lost his balance, “woah!” he shouted before falling back on his rump.

“Oh Kenny!” Jack and Sweet Cait-ly said in unison,and then laughter overtook them as Kenny went to work licking Jack’s face all over. Some moments later, when Jack had finished waving goodbye to his two lovely girls, he stood before the sun-spilled path afore him, and with a deep intake of sweet afternoon air, struck out upon the days adventures. “Good day to you Beastmaster!” He said to a man along the way, who was holding the reigns of many dogs, “I trust I shall see you and these fine beasts, at this years Harvest festival eh?” And without waiting for a reply Jack smiled and continued along his merry way, taking several puffs from his pipe. “Good day to you Creamer!” He called to another man at some point further along his travels, the man was in the middle of hawking the sweet creams he held in his wagon to all the young children waiting eagerly in line. Jack passed brightly along, puffing his pipe, clicking his heels and humming a jolly tune. “Ah! Greenthumbs, well met!” Jack hailed to the laborers on the lawn as he strolled by, ”accruing quite the bounty for the apothecary this evening I see!” Jack couldn’t hear their reply due to his whistling of a jolly tune. Feeling the need to recoup some vitality before the long trek home, Jack decided to stop at the nearby potion sellers. The bell chimed softly as Jack strolled through the door. “Ah Rebecca! Good day to you!” He said to one of the two ladies behind the counter, “I desire quite the salubrious brew, for I have traveled far!”

“My Lord ‘tis you!” exclaimed Rebecca ”Why I have just the cure for what ails you!”

“Oh Rebecca!” Jack said, “Bright as the sun you are, and more radiant by half!”

“Oh my Lord but you flatter me!” She said and handed him his drink. He thanked her and departed whistling. “Who was that?” Rebecca’s co-worker —the new hire— asked as she prepared the next order. “ Who Mr. Allison?” Rebecca said as she handed a customer his macchiato. “Oh he’s harmless. Bit of a tragic story really, some ‘kinda accident, had something to do with some studio lights or whatever. Never been the same since. His wife Cait’s a pretty accomplished creator though, definitely rich. She comes in about every week or so and pays ahead of time for his drinks, always promises a fat tip if we, ‘play along’. You’ll get to know her —nice lady.” “Hmm..” replied The new hire as she gazed out of the window. She watched the strange man on his merry jaunt as he puffed happily from his vape.