Confessions of a Curious Bookseller(47)
By the way, the store is no dirtier than when you first started coming here. Nothing has changed in the way we clean, so I wonder why you’ve donned white gloves and decided to criticize me now?
All the best,
Fawn, Owner, The Curious Cat Book Emporium (a The Adventures of Tom Sawyer specialist store)
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Wed, Jan 30, 2019 at 2:12 PM
To: Staff
Subject: January Numbers
Dear Staff,
I have never seen sales this low in all the years I have been running this store. I am adamant that we keep morale high during these dark times, but things are not as good as they used to be, and I may have to let one of you go permanently if things do not turn around—a horrible act that I always feared I may have to do.
Still, let us keep positive. Stiff upper lip and all that! I’m not saying this is a sure thing but if it comes to this, I do not want anyone to be blindsided.
Fawn, Owner
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Wed, Jan 30, 2019 at 3:40 PM
To: Twain Estates
Subject: Please respond
To the estate of Mark Twain:
If you are not interested in this amazing opportunity, at least do me the decency of writing back. Incidentally, I have already advertised in all the Philadelphia papers as well as in the Wilmington, Princeton, and Trenton papers that we will be graced with your presence. It would be most embarrassing for your good name if you were to simply not show up to your own event.
Additionally, there will be coffee, fresh baked goods, and a lovely declawed cat for the children to play with and pet—so feel free to bring any little ones. To assuage your concerns, this cat has been given its rabies shots, wears a flea collar, and has been free of tapeworms for nearly four months.
Best wishes,
Fawn, Owner, The Curious Cat Book Emporium (a The Adventures of Tom Sawyer specialist store)
From: Tabitha Birchill
Sent: Wed, Jan 30, 2019 at 6:53 PM
To: Fawn Birchill
Subject: Checkin
My dear Fawn,
How are you? Forgive me; I need to brag. I won a bowling tournament last night! First time ever winning.
How is the store?
I should also let you know that your father has decided to give most of his savings to the church upon his death. I was helping him write up his will a couple of nights ago during a rare, lucid evening. I am not a fan of this, but it is his money and his decision.
Please, for all that is good, reach out to Florence. You are the older sister.
Love you,
Mother
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Wed, Jan 30, 2019 at 9:45 PM
To: Tabitha Birchill
Re: Checkin
Dear Mother,
Thanks for the email, and congratulations on the win the other night. I’m sure if Father were lucid, he would be very proud.
Things at the store are interesting. Life is interesting. I went twenty years in this neighborhood without dealing with a single copycat. I truly believe I was the first store those twenty years ago to make cats an intregral part of a bookstore. And a draw to customers. And I mean all over America not just my block of Philadelphia. I think I was a pioneer! And here I am facing a copycat that the papers are calling a pioneer??? That was me! Just because he’s young nad has a beard like a pritae? Does he really think he is special? Jjjjjjjjjjjjjjhisuye89sf//o Svd\]’
B’
That was Butterscotch saying hello!! He almost tipped over my wine glass too—he does that sometimes. I think he must miss you, ha ha!
Father isn’t really giving all his money to the church, is he? They are doing so well. They have a pool for Christ’s sake. Why is it that teh rich get all the money all the time? Why is that? How can a man that was so money-oriented and aware of his own lack of funds give money to an organization that doesn’t really need it?? When there are bookstore owners that might need to sell their own furniture to pay their employees? When bankruptcy looms only to be scared away by the rare good day?
I am having an event in Febuayray that will turn everything around! I am getting rather sleepy. So I better get to bed before I fall asleep here at the computer again!
Fawn
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 8:13 AM
To: Tabitha Birchill
Re: Checkin
Dear Mother,
I apologize not only for my horrendous spelling, but also for writing to you intoxicated last night. I really shouldn’t have done that. Things are much better than Drunk Fawn likes to claim they are. The man down the block is harmless and won’t last. I have a feeling about it. Being in the business for so long, you get a sense of who will last and who is just a passing fad.
I will tell you more about the event in February when I get a chance, but for now just know that it will be very exciting.
Talk to you soon!
Fawn
P.S. I will reach out to Florence.
From: Fawn Birchill
Sent: Thu, Jan 31, 2019 at 11:21 AM
To: Florence Eakins
Subject: Sorry
Hi Florence,
I am sorry about Christmas and my complaints about the microwave. I was stressed and took it out on you.
Best,
Fawn
Fawn Birchill/CuriousCatBooks/5m
Fawn here! Dress as Your Favorite #Book #Character Day at #CCBE Feb 1! Fawn (owner) will be #Caddy Compson!
Fawn Birchill/CuriousCatBooks/2m