“I don’t know who you are, but I’m not–” Before Victor can finish, Clarence pounces on Victor and tries to undo his belt. “The fuck, Dude! What’s your problem?!” Victor shouts.
Leo places one hand on Victor’s shoulder and holds up the other hand toward Clarence to make them back off. “Victor, would you please take off your pants?”
Victor looks at Leo with disgust. “Seriously? I’ve already removed my shirt, and now you want me to take off my pants? Am I going to get dinner out of this?”
“If you play your cards right,” Leo winks.
“I need to see what I’m working with here,” Clarence barks in frustration.
Victor takes a deep breath and growls in the back of his throat. “Fine.” He unbuttons his pants and forcefully drops them to the floor.
“Nice, nice. Turn for me,” Clarence requests as they twirl their finger. Victor slowly turns around with his pants around his ankles while Clarence starts tommhmmunder their breath. “Good, good. Nice frame. Broad shoulders. Great legs and ass.”
“Thank you?” Victor questions, unsure how to respond.
“This way,” Clarence gestures to a stall with floor-to-ceiling mirrors.
Before Victor follows Clarence, he removes his pants from around his ankles. He feels a little awkward walking around in his briefs, but no one seems to care. When Victor steps up, he’s caught off guard when Clarence begins taking measurements. Victor wants to comment, but instead, he submits and spreads his arms and legs.
Clarence’s hand gets much too close to Victor’s family jewels once or twice. When Victor thought it was over, Clarence starts taking other measurements. They measure the distance between Victor’s nipples, and then he wraps the tape around Victor’s ass and crotch. Victor looks at Leo in the mirror, and Leo shrugs his shoulders.
“Are all these other measurements necessary?” Victor asks Clarence.
Clarence looks at Victor in the mirror. “You want your suit to fit well, don’t you?” When Victor nods, they go back to work. After three questionable minutes, Clarence finally stands up andsteps behind Victor. “What colors do you like?” Clarence asks Victor.
“Well, I guess . . . “ Victor starts before he’s interrupted.
“Don’t guess; just tell me,” Clarence commands.
Victor shrugs. “I don’t know. Blues, purples, maybe red.”
Clarence steps down and tosses a robe over to Victor. “Put this on. Don’t get dressed right away. I’ll be back shortly.”
Victor puts on the robe and gives Leo a look of frustration. “Was all that really necessary?”
“You’ll see why I prefer to come here rather than the other tailors,” Leo answers as he places his hands in his pockets and leans against the wall.
“I just feel so . . . violated. How are they still working here?” Victor grimaces.
“You’ll soon find out.” Leo nods to Clarence as they walk around the corner with a couple of suits. They are carrying a dark blue suit, a charcoal gray one, and several shirts and ties in various shades of blue, orange, and yellow.
Clarence hands Leo the shirts and ties when they return. “First, which suit do you like more?” Clarence holds up the two suits for Victor.
Victor looks between them, “Is there any difference?”
Clarence steps up and looks Victor in the eyes. “Your suit is your armor. But it also represents who you are as a warlock. The vibe you give off tells me that you’re strong, but you’re not there yet.” Clarence holds up both suits. “You need a suit that helps you control that, as well as to be able to take on powerful attacks.” Clarence holds both suits up higher. “These two suits can do that.”
After a moment, Victor points at the charcoal gray.
“Very good,” Clarence says, tossing the blue suit onto a chair against the wall. Clarence gestures for Leo to come over with the shirts and ties. “You said you like blue, purple, and red, butthat’s not what I’m getting. The only color I’m feeling is blue. But sometimes orange or yellow might fit.”
Victor looks over the shirts Clarence holds out for him. “I like this shade of blue.”
Clarence ponders Victor’s choice as they look into Victor’s eyes. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Victor responds.
“This is the color that calls out to you more?” Clarence clarifies.
