The checkout operators stood in between the heads and shoulders of the more or less than average customers. Daniel drifted in from the back of the store, with SEX AND SAVAGE now under control. He walked beside himself in a borrowed jumper and old trousers. He became less and less obvious to the more or less than average customers. Some of whom had already notified store detectives.
HERE HE IS AGAIN, a packer leaned forward, elbow high in plastic bags and bloody pig's trotters. I THINK HIS NAME IS DANIEL.
YEAH, checkout operator no.2 half turned to the packer with an unmarked tin of brains. BUT HE NEVER SAYS ANYTHING. YOU WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT HE'S THINKING. She rang the bell for assistance.
I WONDER WHERE HE'S FROM, she said a moment later, her mind occupied by travelling groceries, her arms bruised purple from falling petfood tins and cigarette cartons, her nails broken.
OR WHERE HE'S GOING, the ugliest packer in the world giggled prettily to herself. Later, she hoped she would join the public service or perhaps go to university and become famous.
Daniel is lost within The Complex Shopping Complex. His pupils bruised from the bright crimson labels of falling prices, his nails broken in empathy. He holds a packet of purple hairnets. He feels that it is a good place to lose himself without losing control. He must speak to her again - the most beautiful checkout operator in the world no.2 - who perhaps he could give everything to - in order to make her understand.
He approaches checkout operator no.2 holding the hairnets, his sad eyes still wet - with an earring that says he's available and a face that says not yet. I'LL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING FOR NOTHING, IF YOU CAN TELL ME WHAT I'M ABOUT TO SAY NEXT, he says with FREEDOM AND HAVOC tugging at his chest.
THAT'LL BE ONE SIXTY FIVE FIRST, she says, pointing to the purple hairnets. She is shy and charming. Not even Daniel Kendall, in all his great mystery and wisdom, could have conceived of what would happen next, as FREEDOM AND HAVOC came furiously bursting from a psychic hole in his chest.
HHAAARRRR HARROOOZZZZ, it says as it leaves Daniel's control, and goes streaming through The Complex Shopping Complex, disrupting trolleys and overturning shelves in the aisles. It will destroy the entire store with a professional smile.
Daniel tries to drag MISCHEVIOUS IRRITABLE back into himself, but it too has escaped the confines of REPRESSION AND GOODNESS and is away like the rest. Like any good young man, he blames it on his family, but mostly his mother. He collapses at the checkout. A hurricane of FREEDOM AND HAVOC followed by MICHEVIOUS IRRITABLE hits The Complex Shopping Complex where it hurts. Everyone screams and dives for cover.
PROTECT ME!, checkout operator no.2 jumps over the barrier and drops to the floor hugging her chest. Meanwhile Daniel Miracle does his best to protect them all - as all his mind creatures crowd in on him hitting him hard - two already loose and screaming HHAAZZZOOOOS HHAARRR HAAARRRSSSS. They all sense their chance at FREEDOM AND HAVOC. They begin to bend the bars.
I'LL GIVE YOU EVERYTHING, says feeble Daniel who is feeling miserable.
I'LL PROTECT YOU!, checkout operator no.2 shouts into a high wind, having had her share of weak-minded men in the past.
STAY WHERE YOU ARE!, Daniel demands the creatures - then truly obedient to the end, not realising the words aren't for them - the non-persons freeze on the spot at attention.
I'M GOING WITH THEM!, says the ugliest packer in the world. She is as happy as hell as she is pulled into the wind by her two hair braids by FREEDOM AND HAVOC and goes crashing out of the skylight of the store.
Daniel leaves checkout operator no.2 mumbling to herself on the floor. He rushes out of the store - and they all rush out behind him - FREEDOM AND HAVOC in the lead - they soon find their way back inside him - up his nostrils, into his ears. Deep into the throat of his empty screaming. His legs are carrying him forwards in a nameless state of fear. It is the closest he has been to himself in years.
Daniel leaves the ruins of The Complex Shopping Complex, feeling intuitively that he has given them something. Daniel Kendall - miracle worker gives it all - until it's out of control. He finds two dollars on a narrow road. He picks it up - and without placing it in his back trouser pocket - his eyes truly hopeful - he goes to look for someone to give it too. FIND SOMEONE TO HELP, DANIEL. AS QUICK AS YOU CAN. THEY CAN'T CATCH YOU. YOU'RE THE MIRACLE MAN.
