The Emporium

By Robert Linn

Did you ever think that there is more to life than meets the eye or that one can ever imagine?
This is a metaphysical question, but one that is worth pondering. It would be a shame if the world was only what we perceived and saw with the naked eye.
How many would fathom the idea that the illusionary could become reality?
Very few would perhaps. However, it is important to realize that life is not what we think it appears to be. There is more to what is real than meets the eye and our senses. And that is precisely what this novel is about. It is about stretching our idea of what is real and Robert Linn does a great job conveying this idea.
Over and over throughout the novel, Robert Linn invokes examples of how illusions can be real. Illusions can come to us in many different forms from dreams to daydreams. They can give us inspiration and something to look forward to.
The book is about a store called the Emporium of Illusions. At the beginning of the novel a wealthy businessman comes to a small town and buys a big old building that has been vacant for a while. But as time goes on, he not only renovates the building to house his new business, but the intrigue of the business itself raises a lot of eyebrows and the small town is never the same again. Peoples minds and hearts are changed and stretched.
I loved the novel in that it appealed to my philosophical background. There is nothing better than a well written metaphysical novel to keep you wondering what will happen next. And Robert Linns book promises to deliver that and more. It is a wonderful joyride of adventure and intrigue. When I started reading it, I couldnt stop until I finished it. And Im sure all readers will have similar experience.
Irene Roth

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Jun 5, 2009
• ISBN: 9781452058061

Robert Linn

Robert Linn was born on the 19th of May 1931 in Nolantown, Hawera, Taranaki, New Zealand. He was educated at Normanby Primary School in Taranaki and Fielding Agricultural College. Currently he lives in retirement in Hawera. The author of this book finds an accurate description for his book difficult. It could be called humorous fiction: However, the story content of The Emporium is much more than this: Its content contains an element of truth. The work concerns a man who suddenly arrives a medium sized town and buys a building that has been empty for fifteen years. He then sets himself up in business with a store that sells illusions. There is an illusion to be found in his Emporium for everyone. If you are looking for something in your reading that will leave you thinking, this is the book for you.

Book preview

1

Old Men

In the month of September fresh winds came and they followed old and familiar paths over the mountain and from there, on and over the plains. In the springtime sun, sat three old men on a public seat. Among other things, they were experiencing the passing of people, traffic and the passing of time.

The nearby mountain the three were sitting under, was colloquially, considered being of the male gender. The huge volcano sat silently, with its magnificent head protruding up into the sky. The mountain was currently dormant. According to vulcanologists, it had not blown its top for more than four hundred years.

The saying was, that it will erupt again and when it does, God help anyone in its vicinity. The mountain, being considered to be of the male gender, one’s expectations were, that it could become very angry indeed.

In regard to the mountain, the three old men had discussed the possibility of when it might erupt again and they had come to their own conclusions, concerning that. On the other hand, younger men, do not have the time to stop and ponder such things, in the everyday rush of making their way in life. Old men, who sit in the sun and watch the world go by, have time to stop and think, discuss and feel things that are thought about to happen, or not to be there.

The three were on this occasion discussing such and they felt that something was about to happen. However, they were not sure what it would be, or when it was likely to happen.

The likelihood of the mountain erupting was on their agenda: One said yes and the other two said nos. A humungous motor accident, a catastrophe involving a train or an airliner, with many lives lost were among their thoughts: None of these collectively could be agreed on. However, the three were certain that something of some importance was about to happen.

Unknown to the three, something they had envisioned, was already happening right there before their eyes. A chauffeur driven, old model Rolls Royce Car, turned the corner and pulled up to stop in front of them, outside McDonald’s Real Estate Office.

Normally, one would not expect a Rolls Royce to be travelling the streets of this town: However, the three at this stage were not aware of any connections with the subject, they earlier had been discussing and sensing.

When some changes occur they are not always announced with a fanfare. This mysterious change of events came with quiet and simple beginnings.

The three, then watched the chauffeur step out of his vehicle and open the door for his employer. They then were to observe a portly and balding gentleman smoking a cigar, lift himself up and out of the limo and stand on the footpath. Then they were to observe the chauffeur reach into the back seat of the vehicle for a briefcase. This he handed to his employer and at the same time he collected his employer’s cigar and locked it away in a silver case.

The portly man then moved away from the car and walked into McDonald’s Real Estate Office. His chauffeur closed the door of the Rolls and stood on the street beside the car.

Watching this carefully one of the three old men announced, Businessman!

They all agreed, Businessman!

What would he be going in there for? One asked.

There was no answer.

They all wondered at what the stranger’s business might be in their town?

They were not to know.

As the portly man walked into Mc Donald’s reception, he announced to the young lady sitting at a desk, My name is Wyatt and I have an appointment with your Manager.

And with a smile on her face she answered, Yes, he has been expecting you.

With a wave of her arm, she indicated to him where the manager’s office was located. At the same time she informed, I will give him a buzz and let him know you are here.

After finding that her employer was not engaged in other matters, at that moment and he was free to see Mr Wyatt, she beckoned to the new arrival and led him into her employer’s office.

As she did so, the Manager looked up from scribbling something on a piece of paper and his visitor handed him his card.

My name is Hyram.P. Wyatt, He announced, as he adjusted a monocle over his right eye.

Johnson - Bill Johnson! Came a reply from the manager? And they both shook hands.

Please sit down, The manager offered to his visitor with a wave of his arm.

What can I do for you? The Real Estate Man enquired.

"I want to buy Harrods ," Announced Hyram.

"Harrods !?" Said Bill, with momentary puzzlement showing on his face.

"Yes, Harrods : The big empty building in the main street of this town." Repeated Hyram.

Oh I know, The edifice you are interested in, has not been occupied for the last fifteen years: Said Bill.

In recent times, there has been talk of pulling the building down and using the space as a car park.

So far, nothing has come of this.

The building you are interested in, would have to be, the former Farmers Mercantile Building.

The green Harrods sign, on the front of building, was put there, by pranksters, as a joke: The last tenants in the building, was a part of a supermarket chain and they shifted from there, when others of their kind moved out to relocate, on the edges of the town."

Then He added, So you would like to purchase the Harrods building?

Yes I do and I am willing to pay $2.4 Million for it! And I want to employ you as my negotiating agent.

The real estate man’s eyes lit up: One could see dollar signs in his eyes. No one had paid that kind of money for a property in this town in living memory.

Bill Johnson decided that he would have to be careful here, and do his best not to lose a profitable opportunity.

Trying not to smile too much and be business like, Bill Johnson said, This firm would be very honoured to act for you on this matter.

And another matter in relation to this is - The price I am offering is $2.4 Million and that price is nonnegotiable and there will be no wheeling and dealing on the matter. I will give you a cheque for ten thousand dollars now, to be placed in your Trust Account as surety to my good intentions. I will come back one month to this day and I expect all the legal papers connected with a change of ownership, to be ready for signing. I will be bringing my Lawyer with me. If the owner wants more than $2.4 Million the sale is off! Take it or leave it.

Oh yes, I am sure I can help you on these matters! Informed Bill.

Hyram then opened his briefcase and withdrew and passed a cheque. Right! Here is my cheque and if you will kindly write out a receipt for the same, I will be on my way.

The receipt was written and Hyram.P.Wyatt walked out of the Real Estate office and climbed back into the waiting Limo’.

The three old men sitting across the road were unaware of what was beginning to happen: The thinking and the speculation among the three, would remain this way for some time yet.

2

Harrods

From their seat one month to the day, the three old men were present for the second time, to witness the same Rolls Royce pulling up to a stop outside Mc Donald’s Real Estate Office.

They were again to observe the portly baldheaded businessman alight from his car. This time there was a lady with him.

As the old men put it, What a lady!

In speculative words, they understood the lady to be the spouse of the businessman. Although she was of simular stature to her husband, she was even more corpulent than he. Dressed in floral silk and bedecked with jewellery and wearing an expensive fox fir, she was resplendent in attire and complimentary to her obvious partner.

The three sat in awe and a silence was not broken, until one of them commented, I wonder what they are here again for?

Then another commented, Sooner or later we will find out!.

Three pairs of eyes then followed the pair as they walked into McDonald’s Real Estate premises.

On a table inside, in a large room, lay the relevant documents and papers, ready for signing. Gathered and waiting were Lawyers, Solicitors, Owners, the Manager and his assistants. This was a momentous occasion for all, as the town in living memory, had not known or experienced such an occasion as this.

As Hyram.P. Wyatt and his lady walked in, they were met at the door by Bill Johnson the Manager and then they were escorted into the large room where the interested parties were ready and waiting.

Hyram was then introduced to those who had not met him, during his first visit. At the same time, Hyram introduced his lady as Eleanora, his wife. She of motherly kind, in turn, politely shook hands with everyone present.

"I am here to purchase Harrods ," Suddenly declared Hyram.

All the documents are all ready for signing Sir, Bill informed. We will leave matters concerning a witness, to our solicitors for the moment.

Hyram was then escorted to the table, for the documentation to be signed and witnessed. Hyram signed and the owners added their signatures, and witnesses also scribbled their monikers to them.

All done and dusted, and now with the sale of the property completed, hands were shaken and Hyram was congratulated on his purchase.

In that moment tea, coffee, sandwiches and cakes were brought in by the receptionist and a female assistant.

What would you prefer Mrs Wyatt? The receptionist asked.

Tea pleases, Replied the buxom lady: And black coffee for my husband.

Hyram.P.Wyatt, surrounded by Lawyers and solicitors was asked, What is your plan for the building?

I will be establishing an Emporium, Explained Hyram.

A place where one sells everything!? One of the Solicitors enquired for them all.

"Yes, of a