swatch watch
when i was at school, they were all the rage. everyone had one. and because it was a private school, some wore 2 on one wrist and one on the other, so they could set them for the different time zones in the east, west and south wings of their mansions. of course, i had to have one. and i knew where to get one. i'd known before anyone else. i'd seen them first. underwoods the chemist.

underwoods the chemist was the best chemist ever. back then, children used to walk to school on their own without carrying knives and guns, and my journeys home always went past underwoods. not only did it stock all the lotions, potions and pills you usually get at a chemist, it had three floors filled with all my heart's desires. i'd do the top floor first, then the second, saving the bottom floor, where it was all really at, till last. there, they had all the toys and games in the world and the best teddy bear ever (i'd write about him now, but it's not relevant, he's sat just over there).

but what made my heart beat fastest was the swatch watch display. the shelves were made of the finest crystal, and the spotlights were hand held by angels. there was a sense of hush around the display as mothers stopped their children from crying and girlfriends stop shouting at their boyfriends out of sheer respect, awed into silence by the best shop display ever seen by mere mortals (or floor standing display unit as they're called these days).

the watches were laid out in rows, like mermaids on a beach, gleaming and glittering with every colour from every rainbow from every planet and every sun. whenever i stood next to that display, time stood still. i may even have stopped breathing as i gazed at it all with a passion and longing that physically ached. which one would i choose. which one would i choose. if my only wish ever came true, which one would i choose.

and then i saw it. The One. it was easy not to notice at first, but at that first sight, everything fell into place. everything i had ever thought i wanted was engulfed by everything i suddenly saw before me. the most beautiful watch in the world. it was safe to assume that civilisations in outer space would have evolved past our primitive conception of time light years before, so probably the finest watch in the galaxy (in its class).

it was made to exactly the same design and specification as its compatriots (lady fit), with the same, distinctive band end pieces but, unlike any of the other designs, this one was completely clear with clear straps and a clear body. best of all, the face had been cut away to reveal the watch's inner workings. its heart and soul. i now believe that when the designer decided to finish his masterpiece off with a splash of each primary colour to each of the finely crafted hands, that he must have had an orgasm.

after several months of whining and looking on the verge of tears, my folks eventually relented and we all went together to our local underwoods chemist to buy me the best birthday present i would ever have. after months of painful anticipation and longing, the time had come. i walked solemnly into the store, my parents behind me, trying to string together the words that i had longed to say for so long.

'excuse me, could i see the [how could i ever have forgotten its name?] please?'

the lady behind the counter went off to the cupboard of secrets and dreams and came back with it, caressing it lightly in the palm of her hand, holding it out to me. as i reached out to drape my hand with perfection, my heart sang and my soul roared. i looked at it. its face reflected mine. i was complete.

that was over twenty years ago. wish i could remember where i left it.
(threadkiller, Sat 16 Aug 2008, 2:54, 2 replies)

*click*
Fabulous imagery and splendid description.. Top marks!

And extra points for leaving out the Star2000WarsAssaultComicFigurines.
(blueberrypossum wants to Jaffa your Cake, Sat 16 Aug 2008, 3:04, closed)

it's nice to know that
i'm not the only one sat by my computer at this time on a saturday. it's the middle of the night, you know. (and thanks - i blushed)
(threadkiller, Sat 16 Aug 2008, 3:16, closed)