Tonight, Marc and I visit a wonderful Spirit straight out of a Dickens’ novel! I had been getting flashes of him for several days. I didn’t realize why I was being taken to him until the end of our second meeting.

Diane: Okay Marc! What’s on for tonight?

Marc: I dunno. What do you want to do? (Marc always says that, but I know he has something up his sleeve.)

Diane: Who is the guy in the old shop that I’ve been getting glimpses of for the past few days? Does he want to be interviewed on the Bolan-Beaty Boogie Show? Do you know him? I’m not sure that he is ready to come forward all the way.

Marc: Oh yeah..he is..sure he is. We’re waiting for your reaction.

Diane: Does he have a name?

Marc: Yes he does…can you get it?

Diane: Do I know him in Spirit?

Marc: Not telling.

So Marc takes my hand and off we go! I feel like Mary Poppins flying high over Victorian London. In the distance, I can see tall factory smoke stacks sticking out from the thick grey smog below.

We arrive on the doorstep of a shop that has a lone candle in the window. Marc raps on the door. It’s a dark night and there is little illumination from the gas lamps on the street, whose shades are covered in soot and grime.

Marc pulls a bell cord and we hear a faint ringing in the distance.

Diane: Marc..is anyone here? It looks deserted.

Marc: Well he wouldn’t have invited us to come visit, if he wasn’t going to be here.

Diane: Well..I hope not. Who wouldn’t?

Finally we can make out faint footsteps coming down the hall. As they get closer, they turn into shuffles. We hear several locks being unlatched and slowly the heavy wooden door opens. We see a short man, around sixty-five with long sideburns and round spectacles. His white hair is unkempt and wild. He is wearing a white shirt with thin dark blue stripes and black guards to protect his sleeves.

Man: Welcome! Welcome! I’m sorry that it took me so long to get to the door. Please make yourselves at home!

I look at Marc – not sure what to do. He turns his head to the side as if to say “go in”. Marc follows behind me while the man keeps talking….

Man: Well I must say this is a pleasure having visitors after all this time. I hope that you had a pleasant journey and that it wasn’t too bumpy? I myself don’t like to travel after it gets dark.

We walk down a long hallway, which is lit only by a lamp at its very end. The walls are covered in faded floral wallpaper. If there are rooms along the way, I’m not made aware of them. I’m holding onto Marc’s hand tightly. We pass a narrow thoroughfare that leads outside and then up two more steps into a building in the back.

Man: So here we are! Welcome to my emporium!

We enter what appears to be a curiosity shop with hundreds of cupboards lining the walls. It reminds me of an old pharmacy or general store. Here it is well-lit with gas lamps. You can see moths buzzing around the light that they emit.

Diane: (in a whisper) Marc…where are we and who is he?

Marc: Wait and see Diane. No telling yet.

Man: So I don’t think you told me about your trip?

Marc: It was fine…thank you. Got here in no time at all.

Man: Well that IS outstanding! Please sit down and take a load off your feet.

We see two short stools in the center of the room. I look around to survey my surroundings – hoping for any clue of where I might be.

Man: So now, how can I help you? Come now…don’t be shy…speak right up!

Diane: Oh! I thought that we came here because you had something to tell us?

Man: Wouldn’t it be a delight if we both had something to tell each other?

Diane: Yes, I suppose it would be. Marc, maybe we should introduce ourselves, although I think he already knows who we are?

Marc smirked and nodded.

Diane: Well then you both have the advantage of me I guess.

Man: Please allow me to introduce myself to you. I am Percy Fitzwilliam, the purveyor of this shop.

Diane: And what does your shop sell?

Percy: Anything your heart desires!

I look at Marc not a little amazed!

Diane: Marc, please say something!

Marc: Mr. Fitzwilliam, I think Diane is a little apprehensive.

Percy: Understandable my dear lady! Marc, maybe we should present this at a slower pace?

Diane: No, I’m fine. I’m just trying to take it all in (and write it down at the same time!)

Percy: Many come to me to seek out truths they are searching for which might not be found in the “normal” mode of discovery.

Marc: So spirits – anyone really – come to Percy to find the solutions to problems, to seek answers to questions, to discover hidden aspects of themselves, to gaze into the crystal ball of self and find love.

Diane: What? Well that IS an amazing array of services that you provide, Mr. Fitzwilliam. Marc, are we back in Victorian times or is this “now” in the Spirit world.

Marc: One and the same Diane.

Diane: Oh yeah…I know…the time thing. I guess what I meant is the shop physical?

Marc: Not in the sense that you mean..no. Was the building physical at one time in London? That would be yes.

Percy: If you will excuse me, I have something to attend to in the next room.

Diane: Okay Marc, so have we come to visit a spirit “Mr Fix It”?

Marc: In a way.

Diane: I don’t understand? Why would spirits need someone like this?

Marc: Let’s just say that everyone comes to him as a beacon to light their way.

Diane: So he is a guide then?

Marc: Yes, a very eccentric one.

Diane: I really like him! I also think there is a lot more to him than meets the eye.

Percy comes back into the room.

Percy: So my young friends, what can I help you with?

I pull Marc aside to let him know that I’m going to need some time to think about this and ask if we can come back again?

Marc: Mr. P, would that be okay?

Percy: Oh yes! By all means take all the time that you need. I have no use for it myself. Now that you know where to find me, call upon me at your convenience.

Marc and I left. I spent the rest of the evening pondering what to ask Percy on our next visit. I was also trying to figure out why I was taken to meet him.

Check back soon for our second visit to our new friend, where we are told a story and I’m given special gifts from Spirit!

© Bolan-Beaty Boogie

March 24, 2018