Nighmares: The Goggle Shoppe

Iris wanted a new pair of goggles. She had gone to a sports store, but the clerk wouldn't let her try them on.

“But you see,” Iris had argued “My eye sockets are unusually deep, most goggles leak. I really need to see if they fit.”

“I wish I could help you, but it's store policy. We aren't allowed to take anything out of the package,” the clerk had replied.

“Do you know of any place that would let me try on some goggles?” Iris had asked, leaning on the counter.

The clerk's eyes darted from side to side. Then he leaned over the counter and spoke in a confidential tone:

“Well, I really shouldn't be saying this, but there is this one place you could try.....”

Iris had followed the clerk's directions and ended up in front of what appeared to be a crumbling strip mall. Weeds and vines covered most of the storefronts. Deep potholes pocked the surface of the parking lot. Iris wondered if the clerk had been playing a trick on her.

She had half a mind to turn around and go home, but gas was expensive these days and she figured she might as well go peer in the windows.

Iris got out of her car and approached the storefront that seemed to be in the best state of repair. She paused at the door and wiped a thick layer of dust off the sign. Engraved in tarnished brass were the words:

GOGGLE SHOPPE

She held up her hand, but before she could knock, the door opened.

“Welcome, goggle-seeker,” a low, thick voice greeted her.

Iris stepped inside and gasped. The shop was bright and well-kept. The walls were covered in rows and rows of shiny, new goggles. Sparkling glass cases held antique goggles, and goggles made out of precious metals.

“This...this place is...” Iris stammered, “Wow.”

“Indeed,” said the proprietor, a tall man with a swimmer's physique, “Can I help you find something? A pair of goggles, perhaps?”

“Y-yes. But I need a p-pair that won't leak. My eyes....they're shaped kinda funny.”

“Ah, yes,” the man said, motioning her over to a shelf of goggles, “They're very deep-set.”

The shop-keeper handed Iris a pair of goggles.

“Try these,” he said.

Iris put on the goggles. They fit fairly well. But still...

“You're worried they'll leak,” the shop-keeper surmised from her expression.

“It's just that....I've never had a pair of goggles that didn't leak.”

“Well, why don't you try them out?” the man led Iris to a large tank of water on the other side of the store.

“Oh.. just....like, put my face in the water?”

The man nodded.

“Ok,” Iris pulled her hair into a ponytail and then cautiously put her face in the tank. After a few seconds, water began to trickle into the goggles from a small leak near her brow-bone. She pulled out of the water.

The shop-keeper frowned. He retrieved two other pairs for Iris to try. Both leaked as well. Finally, he took out a small key, and opened one of the glass cases that contained the premium goggles.

“Oh no...I don't think I could afford anything from...”Iris began, but the shop-keeper waved his hand.

“This pair isn't locked up because it's expensive...” he said removing an ordinary-looking pair of goggles.

“Then...why?”

“These are the...the strongest goggles. The suction is too strong for most swimmers.”

“They sound perfect for me!”

The shop-keeper smiled crookedly.

“Maybe,” he said.

When Iris reached for the goggles, the shop-keeper didn't let go immediately. She gave him a puzzled look.

“Are you sure you want to try them on?”

“I'm desperate for a pair of goggles that won't leak!”

“Well, they definitely won't leak...”

Iris pulled the goggles from his hands and put them on. She dunked her head once more into the water. No water dripped in. She shook her head around underwater, but still, there were no leaks. She pulled her head out of the water and grinned at the shop-keeper.

“They're great!”

He nodded...”Just be careful how you take them--”

But his warning came too late... Iris had taken off the goggles....and her eyes with them.

On the bright side, she never needed to go goggle shopping again.....