DollStories (WebArchive)

Angela had never been an exceptionally pretty girl. She wasn't ugly, just homely. Her beauty lay in her gentleness and kindness, but few men ever stayed with her long enough to figure that out. So, as a result, she was a very reserved and quiet person. She owned a small antique shop willed to her by her uncle, who had passed away some time ago. Every so often, a man would come in, but he told her was looking for a gift for his wife, and her hopes were dashed.

One day, while she was in for her monthly trim, Angela was reading on of the fashion magazines that the salon had. Normally, she didn't read them, because she was jealous of the beautiful women inside. But today, she felt some force pulling her in. As she finished the last article, a small advertisement caught her eye.

Looking for a man? We can help! 555-3851

For a moment, she thought how silly this was, but she copied the number and slipped it in her pocket. She got her hair cut into the same style she had worn for the past several years and left. She raced home and dialed the number. No one answered. Just as I figured, she thought disheartened, and hung up. A few minutes later, a shrouded person walked into the store carrying a large bag. Angela was not quite sure of what to make of her.

"Can I help you?"

"No, but I can help you. You called me, did you not?

"Well... I dialed the number, but..."

"Excellent. Close your shop so there will be no interruptions. Then we can begin..."