Michael lowered his nose into the boot and inhaled the sweet scent of pristine leather and virgin innersole. The aroma returned him to the Sunday afternoon shoe store expeditions made with Rachel, and the erotic pleasure he had discovered by being surrounded by so many women.
Have you got these in brown? he asked the approaching shop assistant.
Phil wore a khaki shirt with the name of his store printed on its pocket, and sported a goatee to balance the short crop of hair growing in a semi circle around the back of his head. He saw people sniffing shoes every day and thought nothing of it.
No, just black.
And they’re waterproof?
That’s what it says on the label.
Where’s that?
Phil pressed his finger to the product description stapled to the wall. Just there.
Oh, right. Of course. Okay, can I try a pair on?
No problem. Have a seat. What size do you take?
Ten. Sometimes ten and a half.
Maybe I should measure your feet first?
As Phil searched the stockroom Michael leaned back in his chair and admired the charm of the store’s built-in shelving, wooden serving counter and glass display cabinets. The layout had obviously remained the same for the past thirty or forty years, and though catering for the needs of tradesmen, had a quiet dignity that most modern shops had forsaken for prefabricated fittings and muzak. It was old without feeling stuffy, and Michael detected a surprising comfort in being served by a person who had actual knowledge about the product they were selling.
Thought I should buy a pair now winter has arrived.
Phil carefully folded back the tissue paper surrounding the new boots. Sounds wise. Although it’s not here quite yet.
Well not officially no, but it doesn’t get much colder does it?
Phil looked up from the three-legged stool at Michael’s feet. Just moved to Tasmania have you?
About a month ago.
Working for MONA are you?
No. Who’s Mona?
Museum…out past Glenorchy. You’ll get there eventually. Everyone does.
You say these are a ten?
That’s what the number says on the bottom of the boot.
They feel a little loose.
Maybe you’ve got thin socks on today. Take a walk around the shop. Phil watched Michael pace back and forth. So what are you doing down here if you’re not working at MONA?
I’m helping Lucian Clarke to organise his papers.
Who?
He’s an author. A pretty famous one actually. Lives in Wood Green. Up on the mountain.
I know where Wood Green is.
Of course you do. Sorry.
Sounds interesting. Good job is it?
So far so good.
And there’s no one here in Hobart who could do that work?
Pardon?
I mean you’re an expert on this writer? That’s why you’re down here?
Well he was the subject of my PhD, if that’s what you mean. But I don’t know if that qualifies me as an expert or not.
Should get a bit of snow up in Wood Green soon.
So I hear.
Got a good jacket? You’ll need one to keep out cold like that. We’ve got a few on sale over there.
I’m fine for a jacket. Thanks. Are those flannel shirts on sale as well?
Everything in the store is on sale.
You’re not closing as well are you? There seem to be shops closing down all along this street.
Not yet thankfully. Have to wait and see how the next six months play out.
So these boots are on sale as well?
Reduced to ninety-nine dollars.
You know, I think they’re a little too big for me. Maybe I should try a nine and a half.
Why don’t you let me measure your foot first.
I suppose you should. Are they an overseas brand? Maybe they’re using the American size system. Or the European one.
No, it’s an Australian boot, but like everything else these days they’re made in China. Used to have a factory right here in Tasmania. Everyone in the state owned a pair.
Are Chinese shoe sizes different?
Couldn’t say, never been there. Looks like you’re a nine.
You’re sure?
Phil pointed to the Brannock Device. Hard to get something like that wrong.
But I’ve been a ten since I was eighteen. Sometimes even a ten and a half. Look, see, even my shoes say ten and a half. And I bought these in Sydney.
They’ve seen better days.
The rain got to them. And then I had to walk through some bush.
Let me get you a nine and see how we go.
Phil returned to the stockroom while Michael double-checked the measurement of his foot.
Here, try these on.
Michael stood up in the new boots and walked across the store. Well that’s much better. How strange. Feet don’t usually shrink do they? Maybe my shoe size has been wrong all my life.
Happens more often than you’d think.
What’s that?
People thinking their feet are bigger than they actually are. Men especially.
Really. I never knew. I guess I might as well start wearing them right away. Is there a bin I can put my old shoes in?
Just drop them behind the counter here.