Snippet #2442037

Phil, too, was distracted by the insanity suddenly erupting around them. Although somewhat nervous, he kept a cool head, taking Nora and Leela by their arms and gingerly guiding them toward the door. He fiddled with the keys for a moment, managed to get the proper one in the practically-antique lock, and turned it with an audible click.

A tiny bell above jingled its protest as Philius opened the door with more force than strictly warranted. He pulled the two ladies through, watching the scene outside with dismay, then closed the door, engaged the deadbolt, and looked above the shop window. He sighed his relief as he spotted the metal shutter and quickly pulled it down into place, the room suddenly quite dark.

Phil groped in the dark for a moment before locating and flipping the light switch. A single hanging bulb in the middle of the shop floor flickered on, almost reluctantly. Taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, he found a few chairs behind the checkout desk and pulled them nearer the lonely incandescent bulb.

Unable to suppress a nervous laugh, Phil waved to the seats in silent offer to his impromptu guests. "Ladies."