Beep Boop Beep

They made their way down to the city. The pale blue sky was covered with clouds that glowed red and orange in the low sun. Robert cast brief glances at her.

“Eyes on the road.”

“Cute outfit.”

“I didn't know what kind of occasion I should dress for. I hope it isn’t too casual.”

“It’s perfect. Look at me.It’s perfect. Look at me. You easily outclass the rags I wear.”

Robert wore black suit pants and a thick wool jacket with a Norwegian pattern in white, gray and blue.

“Will you tell me where we going?”

“Just a little more patience. Later on, we'll cover the two stops from last week, but let's take it slow for now. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“Guess I'll just wait and see.” Kim sighed.

“Did you get through the day okay?”

“It went well, but it was kind of a drag.”

“Is it always?”

“No.”

“Couldn’t stop thinking about tonight?”

“That may have played a part.”

They drove past Trinity Falls. Their destination must have been closer to the city.

“Are we going to have dinner?”

“Maybe in an hour. Hungry?”

“Franca got us lobster rolls. So that works for me.”

“Franca?”

“My manager. She's a bit rough around the edges, but always has my back. Like with the photo thing.”

“I see.”

“Will you at least tell me which restaurant we're going to later?”

Instead of continuing east, they headed north right at the border to Downtown.

“You like roast chicken?”

“Sure. Do they only have one dish on the menu?”

“No, but that’s what they are known for. It’s à la carte, so you’ll probably also find other delicious items.”

“Is it French?”

“Yeah, most fine dining is around the city.”

They took a right turn and crossed a river.

“Which part of town is that? North of downtown, I’ve only been to Spalding, and heard of Sambuca.”

“Hildesia.”

“Ah, I think Franca told me about that too. Nice alleys and cafés, right?”

“Absolutely.”

“And the river?”

“Kingsdown. It joins the Mirth south-east and flows into the Atlantic.”

Another right turn and they drove along the river. Lush greenery stretched along the water. Kim could also make out a small footbridge and a boathouse. Perhaps that would be their goal.

“Riverbend Park, not as crowded in the summer as many other places along coast and streams.”

“A goal for another day?”

“Yeah.”

They drove into a small parking lot on the side of the road opposite the river. It was surrounded by trees on three sides and belonged to a strip mall decorated in shades of beige, brown, and white.

“Is this gonna be a mall date?”

“Absolutely not!” Robert laughed.

“Hey, that wouldn't have been so bad. Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth.”

“Downtown, maybe, but I don't think you'd be happy here either. The selection is pretty modest If you take a gander.”

After Robert parked, they got out and Kim looked around. An action that proved Robert’s judgement right. Sporting goods, liquor, cheap clothing, and rather uninviting cafés. The building complex had seen better days.

Robert had taken a dark blue coat from the back seat and put it on.

“Let’s go.”

He headed north, Kim at his side.

“Still no clue where we’re going?”

“It’s close.”

They crossed the parking lot and a major road, which Kim identified as Duke Street. On the other side, the couple turned into an alley. Surrounding them were four-story buildings with facades of red brick in a running bond pattern. They looked rather weathered, which only added to their charm. Light stone accents framed the edges of the buildings and formed horizontal cornices between floors.

Stairs up to raised ground floors and down to garden-level entrances alternated, as store fronts and residential buildings did. The entry portals to the higher elevated places were relatively elaborately decorated and framed the wooden doors in the same color as the stone accents.

Kim spotted a bar, several small specialty shops, two hairdressers, and a pastry shop. Nothing to make such a fuss about.

Finally, they stopped in front of one of the stores below street level. The stairwell was vertically orientated and enclosed by black, wrought-iron railings.

“That’s it?”

“Yeah.”

Kim looked at the inconspicuous lettering above the store. It read "Beep Boop Beep".

“I’m kind of confused.”

“Let's go inside, then you'll get it.”

They took the stairs down, Robert held the door open for her, and suddenly the teenagers were immersed in another world.

The exposed walls were neatly lined with three-tiered shelves. The left wall mainly offered studio and stage equipment. Nothing Kim cared that much about.

But the other side was quite different. The top level, which also had the most limited surface area, was mainly used to store samplers, drum machines and other smaller audio equipment. Below, in the middle, were various synthesizers, some controllers and more medium-sized machines. The last level then offered the big guns.

Kimberly was already rejoicing until her gaze fell upon the area further back. A huge array of modules had been set up there.

“Holy shit, there are even Eurorack modules! I thought you only can get those through mail-order.”

“I don't know what that means, but it's good, right?”

Kim jumped up and down restlessly and tugged at her right sleeve.

“Of course, it is! I only have access to small machines at the academy, and there isn't a huge selection of modules at the studio either. Can I try them out?”

“Yes, I asked beforehand; the store was practically founded for that purpose.”

She was about to rush to the back when Robert held her back.

“What?”

“Give me your jacket, or you'll get heatstroke in here with all your fidgeting.”

Kim gave him a wide smile as he helped her peeling of the unnecessary piece of clothing. At this moment an older man emerged from the back. He slowly waddled over to them and adjusted his glasses.

The man was rather short and had medium-length, frizzy, gray hair and an equally shaggy beard of the same color.

“Hello there, did we speak on the phone the other day, or are that many young couples interested in electronic music these days?”

“Hi, yes, I had called. My friend here would like to try a few things out.”

Kim waved to the presumed owner of the shop.

“Just friends, huh?”

“For now.” Robert added.

The older man laughed and Kim blushed a little at Robert's bluntness.

“You can call me Joe. I figure you can manage on your own? Or is the young lady still new to the industry?”

“I'll be fine.”

“Then I'll leave you two little birds alone. Give me a shout if you need anything.”

Joe slowly scurried back into the back room. Kimberly couldn't hold back any longer and pounced on the machines.

With a smile on his face, Robert watched her play around with the various switches and controls. The various components opened up endless possibilities and broadened her horizons to an unimaginable extent, the dimensions of which probably seemed greater to her at that moment than they actually were.

Kim felt very close to the world of forms from her philosophy lessons. This was probably the closest her mind could get to the idea of a synthesizer. At least that's how she felt at that moment.

Time flew by, and after just under an hour, Joe emerged from his retreat.

“I'm afraid I have to show you out again for today. But please come back again. I'm always open on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 2 to 7 p.m.”

Kim had expressed her creativity sufficiently, and the possibility of another visit was enough for her. Another visit with Robert? She suddenly felt bad because he had just watched her while she pursued her passion and looked at him sheepishly.

“Thanks. We'll definitely be back.” Robert said as he helped Kim put her jacket back on.

“Maybe next time not just as friends?”

“Maybe.”

Joe laughed and set about tidying up a few things.

“See you soon!”

“Bye!” Said the two students in unison and approached the door.

When Robert opened the door, cold air hit them. Kim's stomach suddenly growled, and she flinched, embarrassed.

“Just in time. Let's hurry and enjoy some fine dining.”