This was the last stop for the tailors this evening.
A gentle knock first. And tall lad opened the mansion doors.
“Oh, it’s you. My torso needs stitching. Do it now- and fast, because I have guests coming tomorrow morning. You have only one night.”
“Yes sir….can we come inside now to complete it?”
“Uh…whatever....just use this corner. And don’t touch anything. You can only use this 3 foot area. Understand? Get to work, and make sure the torso is unique, one that perfectly fits me and my character.”
The husband and wife quickly began sewing and cutting with the lad’s impatience ticking above them.
A servant came inside with some juice . The tall lad strode forward.
“Oh, give it here.”
A sip is taken. Then a sudden ringing slap.
“This is ridiculous! There is not enough sugar! Nonsense! You are unfit to work here! Get OUT!”
The stitching continued.
The phone rang.
“Sweetie, make sure to come tomorrow for the party. Don’t worry about my wife getting angry; I don’t really care for her. Oh, also bring those two other pretty girls with you…”
The stitching continued.
A small ant was crawling a leaf near the window. The lad smiled at it, then took his fingers and squished the leaf, leaving upon it a dot of red carcass as a decoration to the house.
The stitching continued.
“Are you done yet?”
“Sir, I am so sorry, but can we go and work in the shed? I think I can work faster in fresh air.”
“That’s what I told you in the first place…go fast...no delays.””
Gliding out the door, the wife whispered, “ Why are we going out? It’s dark and the grass is filled with snakes…”
“Shh…wait till sunrise; I’ll tell you why...”
The husband and wife got to work amidst the darkness of the shed. Meanwhile the lad inside became very tired and fell asleep.
Sunrise arrived.
“Sire, I have been most careful to stitch this to best suit you.”
The lad’s eyes plopped open.
“What is this? I wanted a torso, and you made a sock? “
The entire house ran inside to see the commotion.
“I’ll kill you now………just-”
His wife shrieked. His servant fell from the stairs. Something was wrong.
It must be the liquor from last night…the lad squirmed his way to the mirror and saw no hands, no legs, no more pale body staring back. Rather, a cobra reflected, a fat, jeweled cobra dressed in pajamas. His back was scaly, his eyes slit, his body heartless. He screamed….but only a hiss came out.
“Sir, as you asked yesterday, I have stitched the perfect torso only, and you are looking your true character for the party.”
The tailor turned to his wife:
“To answer yesterday’s question,yes, there were snakes in the shed, but the mansion held the bigger serpent.”
