The Collector

by M.A.Naess

It was the long hair that first drew my attention.  Black with undertones of purple and tied back in a ponytail. But he was distinctive in other ways too.  Tall, and from what I could see of his face, good looking.  He was wearing dark pants and one of those long coats that reach mid-calf.  I watched as he walked around the memorabilia tables, all long legs and confident stride, and imagined what it would be like to feel that body held close to mine, those legs wrapped around my waist, my … 

“Sam, hey! Some attention here please!”   

I jumped at the voice, startled back to reality and feeling confused.  I didn’t usually have such erotic thoughts about complete strangers. 

“You still with us mate?” It was Keith, my partner in Collectors Galore, the business we had started together, developed from our youthful obsessions with Pokemon cards and Star Wars memorabilia.  He was staring at me in concern. 

“Sorry. Yeah, sure.  What’s the problem?”  

“Nothin’ really. Just wondering if you’re ready to pack it in now.  The Con’s about finished for the day and, to be honest, I’d like to get home.  Hot date tonight.”   

I sighed. Keith and his women!  He seemed to be able to pull them without even trying. 

“No, sure. You go ahead.  I’ll close up.”  

With a quick “Thanks mate, I owe you one”, he was gone. 

It was quiet in the exhibit hall now, close to closing time for the first day of the Star Wars Convention, and most of the trade tables were already packed away.  Instead of announcements and interviews, an old Frente song, Accidently Kelly Street, was playing over the loudspeaker.  Humming along to the tune, I bent to start stacking up our merchandise.  

“Excuse me.”  The voice came from a point directly above and in front of me and somehow, even before I looked up, I knew it was him, the guy I’d been watching before.  I straightened up to find two slightly slanted yellow eyes regarding me, a hint of amusement in their depths, and for an absurd moment I wondered if he had read my earlier erotic thoughts.  Mentally giving myself a shake and pushing such nonsense from my mind, I managed a polite smile. 

“Yes, can I help you?” 

“My name is Zak. I am The Finder.”  The twinkle was still there, in those oddly coloured eyes, but the tone was serious. 

“Um, okay. I’m Sam.”   

“I have come to seek out an artefact.  Are you The Collector? The one who has found The Great Sceptre of Anesh?” 

“Er… well, yes - I’m a collector.  But I’m sure I don’t have a sceptre from anywhere.”   

“You must.  All the signs point to The Collector being here, and the Sceptre.” 

The conversation was getting just a little bizarre and I tried to stifle my disappointment. The guy was even hotter close up than from a distance, but hot or not, he was turning out to be just another sci-fi weirdo who couldn’t tell real life from fantasy. 

“Look, all I’ve got that comes anywhere near being a sceptre is this.”   

I reached under the table for the second-hand lightsaber I’d found in a garage sale last week. It was coated in dirt and grime, and the battery had run out long ago.  I’d been meaning to clean it up a bit but hadn’t gotten around to it yet. I wasn’t even sure why I was bringing it out now, but Zak was delighted, if his exclamation of “Yes!” and the look on his face was anything to go by. 

“Hold my hand.” 

“What?” The request was startling, and I drew back a little.  But Zak just reached out and grabbed hold of my free hand with his.  The contact sent a tingling sensation up my arm, across my shoulders and down my other arm.  The lightsaber began to glow and change shape, getting longer, and warmer - much warmer.  Letting out a startled yelp, I dropped it.  The tingling stopped.  Stunned, I gazed down at the lightsaber that had morphed into a long, thick golden rod with what looked like a beautifully carved and jewelled golden eagle at the top.    

“How’d you do that?” 

Zak looked at me, apparently puzzled by my question. 

“It’s simple.  Our connection with each other and with the sceptre dismantled the disguise and brought out its true form.” 

Yeah, simple, I thought, and maybe I’ll wake up in a minute, discover this was simply a dream. 

The dream seemed solid enough, though, when Zak took my hand again and placed a coin-like object in my palm. 

“Payment for the Sceptre,” he smilingly told me, holding onto my hand for a fraction longer.  Then he let go and swooped down to retrieve the lightsaber turned sceptre. 

“So, you’re off then?” I said, still feeling a bit dazed and a lot confused.   

“Yes, I must return this to Anesh as soon as possible.  Thank you.  Without you this would not have been possible.” 

“You’re welcome,” seemed to be an appropriate response.  I swear I had no intention of adding - but somehow the words came out anyway - “Will I see you again?” 

He looked at me, and there was a gleam in those yellow eyes. “Of course,” he said. “It is rare to find a Collector and a Finder so compatible.  Have no doubt, I will return for you.” 

Then he was gone.  I mean, literally gone.  No flash of light, no roll of drums, just vanished as if he had never been there at all.  But I knew he had because I was still clutching the coin in my hand.