DOROTHY stands in the Tomes and Scrolls bookshop, looking up at one of the shelves. She knows what book she wants; she can see the book, but it is near the top, and even on her tiptoes, her 4′11 frame can’t reach it. Her eyes wander for a moment, trying to see any assistants who might be able to help, but the floor appears empty. She can’t leave the store without the book, not now she’s seen it. She has always been like this, determined to a fault, unable to let things go without trying first. A PILE OF BOOKS sit on the floor waiting to be shelved, so Dottie moves them slightly. IS THIS THE PATH OF LEAST LOGIC? Yes, probably, but she’s going to do it anyway. She piles the novels high, one book on top of another until the 15 books create a sort of step stool. She removes her warm-up booties, places a handkerchief from her bag on the top book as not to ruin it, and she steps up. Aha, it feels steady enough, but she still can’t reach the book. She raises herself onto her tiptoes, stretching up, her fingertips practically touch the leather spine, and that’s when the BELL ABOVE THE DOOR RINGS OUT, and for a moment Dottie jumps, and that’s when the pile collapses, and she goes with it, ass on the floor with a light thud. “ Fuck - oh merlin, sorry, god, this is so embarrassing. ”
cerise gives a smile instead and bends down a bit to offer a hand to help the other up, head shakes to show that she doesn’t think that at all. “ accidents happen, let me help. i didn’t mean to startle you, are you alright ? “