Stillwell strikes again!

Episode two.

The new display had taken time and effort. Acquiring the original cinema theatre posters was sometimes difficult but Stillwell had enough contacts by now to make the process easier than it used to be. He had also found some publicity pictures of the main stars which added a nice bit of informality to the new promotion.

Naturally quiet, with a deep and uneasy nature that made it hard for people to connect with, Stillwell was not bothered. He kept the grimy dilapidated exterior of his small premises deliberately so, preferring to make it an excursion for the more devoted cinema and film enthusiasts. The occasional stray passer-by might fall upon the shop by chance and venture inside, creating the opportunities and distractions for Stillwell to break out of his taciturn default setting and practice his craft.

Methodically each morning, the interior of the store was cleaned, the floors mopped, the carpet vacuumed and the vast array of titled film boxes were lifted, dusted and replaced. The cleaning regime would last for several hours, then time for a perfectly brewed coffee as Stillwell perused the latest auction sites in search of the obscure, the classic and the quirky film titles that were his stock in trade. All this industry before he unlocked the door to his emporium and flicked over the faded sign hanging upon it to ‘Open’

The current montage to one side of the main counter was just something to promote a film that Stillwell was keen for his regular customers to enjoy and nothing more than a suggestion on his part. He would change the display every month or so, always keen to have something thought provoking to recommend. Stillwell’s regular clients were fiercely protective of their own collections and most, if not all, would already have a copy of his promotional choice. However, every so often he would select a movie even they had missed out on and sales would be made.

His regular punters were almost as fastidious as he, keeping to the same allotted times to visit the store. They were also keen on their own solitude and would prefer to browse alone, to quietly seek out something new from Stillwell’s inventory.

On the whole, the visitors were awkward and unassuming. They worked hard not to attract attention and wanted the most minimal amount of conversation. That suited Stillwell, as he would perch on his padded stool behind the counter and busy himself writing notes on a new idea for a display, researching whether he could acquire promotional material for his next choice and most rewarding for him, to continue writing his own story.

This month he had chosen the late 60’s prison drama ‘Cool Hand Luke’. Starring Paul Newman and providing some stand out cameo performances from others, notably George Kennedy as Dragline, the leader of the inmates and Strother Martin as the Captain of the guards. Stillwell knew it was likely his regulars had already seen Cool Hand Luke but it was his shop and he would promote whatever he wanted. Plus, it gave him that opportunity to indulge anyone foolish enough to question his choice or provoke him.

Stillwell’s frequent clients would usually visit in the morning, almost exhibiting a conveyor belt of movement through the shop door. Stillwell liked to shut for lunch. It was an hour of tranquillity during the middle of the day for him to have another precisely brewed coffee and enjoy the contents of the lunchbox he filled each day after breakfast. Nothing complicated, just a sandwich, crisps, a piece of fruit and some chocolate. The sustenance was sufficient for him to return to his counter position after once more unlocking the shop door at precisely 2 o’clock. His experience had taught him that there might be one or two customers just before he closed at 6pm, but for most of the afternoon, he wouldn’t be bothered and he could write his fiction.

Stillwell was lost in his thoughts when the door suddenly crashed open and without doubt two non-regulars pushed their way into the store.

He looked up to see the two teenagers part ways and browse the shelves and displays. They were not really looking, just glancing at the cases as they moved around the interior. “Not proper customers, just trouble”, Stillwell thought as he put down his pen and closed his notebook.

They skirted around the interior, he watched one pick up a title and then replace it. Then with gliding symmetry they both stood in front of the display.

“What’s this shit?” one of the surly youths enquired.

“Predictable!” thought Stillwell, his preconceived idea about the two strangers to his shop proving to be correct.

“Hey! Didn’t you hear him?” the other irksome one chimed in.

Stillwell looked up from his seated position behind the counter and stared at them. They try and hold his gaze, but eventually the spell is broken when one blinks.

“I was just asking”, one moves uneasily closer to the display as he speaks.

“This is an old film that might appeal to your own life situation. The study of an oppressive, authoritarian regime, clashing with a non-conformist, who is never going to give in. A true rebel, if you like.” Stillwell speaks slowly allowing the two irritating juveniles to take in his words.

“Yeah! How old? I mean it just looks like a boring prison film”, the one on the left attempts to deliver his naïve critique.

“There is a segment of our society who will never submit. It doesn’t matter what you do to them. They will stay focused and rise up, convinced they are right and ultimately that they can make a difference. This is what Luke represents in the film”, Stillwell delivers his thoughts to the glaring teens in front of him.

“It just looks dull, from the posters. Is there anything in here from this century?” the other youth dismisses the display.

“I was going to add how much of the film has elements of Christian iconography sewn within it. Luke’s position within the prison is like a Messiah figure, preaching to his disciples. Dragline, the alpha male of the prisoners, eventually betraying his friend and then finally Luke, sacrificing himself for his beliefs. I could go on, but I can already see that would be a waste of air”, Stillwell watches the youths trying to formulate a response.

“Fuck off, old man. Place is a dump”, one of them kicks the stand and dislodges a poster.

In the blink of an eye, Stillwell pulls a pistol from under his counter and shoots each youth in the forehead. A bright crimson cloud erupts from behind each, before they fall to the floor.

“What we’ve got here is..…failure to communicate!” Stillwell looks at the two bodies on the floor, shakes his head slowly, then opens his notebook and continues to write..

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