A pickle

"Ah! Well, my pretty, I may be very old but I am quite the illusionist. I am able to turn this place into such a realistic finished store that the Mall allows us to manifest there as such." At this, several other goblins began to talk about how awesome he was.

"Oh yes, Old Gek is so talented."
"Old Gek is the best!"
"Let's hear a cheer for Old Gek!"

"Silence, you sycophantic fools!" barked the aged goblin, "I am telling a story. Anyway," he continued to Astra, "we manifest the store and actually do business, although I am sure the customers are less than pleased when their purchases disappear after 24 hours. Occasionally, we do the far more profitable business of slave trade and kidnapping for ransom." Old Gek smiled, obviously proud of himself.

"How do you intend to contact my friends?" asked Astra, but then felt a pinching sensation as a goblin had used a strange device to remove her Mall wristband.

"With this," said Old Gek, taking it from her. He muttered some incantations in words Astra could not quite grasp, and around her the store resumed its previous appearance, manager and all. [86465] The clothing racks, for sale signs, and decor all became new again. Old Gek then manipulated her wristband again, then unexpectedly returned it to her. "I locked that, you won't be able to use it. I also sent a message to your friends, telling them you needed their advice on some clothing here in the store."

Astra secretly was pleased, hoping that once Fred and Velus showed up they could vanquish these creatures together. Seeing her slight smile, Old Gek interjected one last thought. "If your friends cannot pay your ransom, we will take you all into slavery. That is how it is going to go down. I will shred you all if you cross me, that is Old Gek's promise my dear."

A few moments later, Fred and Velus show up at the entrance to the store...

1. Fred and Velus see Astra but not the goblins, as they come into the store to greet her.
2. We fast forward five minutes, as Fred and Old Gek are in heated battle while Velus and Astra fight the rest of the goblins.
3. Fred gets distracted, and looks at new clothing, pissing Old Gek off to no end. "Get his attention!" he demands of Astra
4. As soon as Fred and Velus enter the store, it reverts to its unfinished state, and they are all trapped! "Fools," says Old Gek, pulling out his pistol and training it on Fred.

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