Free Cold Hard Magic by Rhys Astason Page A

get enough interest there."
     
    "Maybe you should mention it on your next show," Jimmy suggested, pointing to the sigh in Rob's hand.
     
    "Hey," Rob said, "that's a great idea, Jimmy. I'll do that next time."
     
    "Do we just leave, now?" Jimmy asked looking around the empty studio. "Or do you lock up?"
     
    Rob looked around the empty studio. "I think we just leave," he said. "Larry is the one with the keys." He shrugged and opened the side door for Jimmy. "I'll see you next time, Jimmy. You drive safe now."
     
    Jimmy shivered his massive bulk. "I might need to pick myself up one of those new coats of yours. Cold weather doesn't suit me. "
     
    Rob watched Jimmy's retreating back and wondered if his supplier even had a size triple x that could fit the massive Samoan. "Just let me know," he called out and waved.
     
    Rob opened the door to his beat up truck and climbed in. He pulled, then lifted until the anemic click signaled that it had closed properly. He blew in his tightly closed fist three times, then circled the steering wheel three times counter clockwise. His hand paused at the twelve o'clock position for a full five seconds. He took a deep breath and held it as his hand moved across the steering wheel again, only this time clockwise. And much faster.
     
    Rob let out his breath with a loud whoosh and turned on the ignition key. The engine started with only a slight sputter.
     
    "Works every time," he muttered, silently thanking the Dakota shaman that had taught him the routine. The old man had guaranteed it would always start any car if done properly. He hadn't been wrong yet.
     
    Rob let the truck warm up for a bit , the heater rattling as it tried to combat the frost that had already accumulated during his time in the studio. Rubbing his hands together in an attempt to bring some warmth back into his fingers, helooked at the bulky nylon bundle in his passenger's side. One of the new coats with a built in compass. It was definitely going to be a big seller for Cold Hard Coats. He kicked himself again for not working in the Cold Hard Facts website during the show.
     
    Jimmy's idea was brilliant. The show was a perfect place to advertise the occult web site and its merchandise. Too bad he missed the opportunity after Big Jimmy’s momentous psychic vision. That had been a real showstopper.
     
    Rob sighed and pulled the truck in gear, heading out of the station's parking lot. The weather was still relatively warm, so it was only horribly cold outside. That made it a perfect night to try out the new coat's compass. He pulled over onto a more remote patch of road about two miles from his house and parked the truck.
     
    After pushing up on the door to make sure it latched, he walked a few feet away from the truck and pulled the compass that was attached to the inner pocket of the new coat. With a gentle tap on the side button, the compass lit up.
     
    Rob smiled. "Hey, it does work."
     
    The direction of the compass is clearly visible with its tiny light. He'd been concerned the light wouldn't be enough to gauge direction in nighttime darkness but, true to the advertisement by the manufacturer, everything worked perfectly. Rob moved towards some trees and circled around to get the needle to change direction, just to make sure it was working.
     
    "That's great," he said to himself. "You are definitely going to be a bestseller."
     
    He turned back around once more, this time intent on heading back to the warmth of the truck, but stopped in his tracks at the sight in front of him.
     
    A glowing doe.
     
    Instead of a soft brown coat, there was an ethereal golden hue which surrounded her like a thousand fireflies and stood out like a shining beacon in the night.
     
    Rob's mouth hung open at her sheer beauty. He stood still, fearful that any movement might startle the wondrous creature.
     
    She froze midstep, eyes wide and unblinking. After a few seconds of complete stillness, she shook her head, letting out a