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Outside Looking In	By : PerireAnimus Category: DC Verse Comics > Watchmen Views: 1526 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Watchmen, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Rorschach’s Journal July 20th, 1966
Unexpected visitor today at my day job. Surprised to see her again so soon it’s only been a little over 3 months. Bothered that I was the one who made her dress which is a birthday gift from her annoying friend. Her name is Cat, strange name and her friend Ann something. Small world, never thought I would see her again. It feels like her eyes seem to pierce right through my soul and makes me uneasy the whole time she was there. She makes me very uneasy, even her stares. Invited to Cat’s birthday party, still considering it.
Another day at work in the garment industry for Walter Kovacs. The usual unpleasantness of handling women’s clothing but bearable for him. A different world in this place, the psychomotor agitation it brought him as doctors would call it. But there were no doctors, and he was alone trapped in a confined box filled with women’s clothing of much disfavor and customers of much disgust or moderate dislike. It was hot in the box of manual labor. Middle of summer brought much heat and the pleasant cool wind if blessed to follow suet. The sounds of many Singer sewing machines working along cloth and stitching. People slumped over to make garments and stitching together pieces of fabric to make out a woman’s blouse or dress, or whatever style of the late sixties. Some were working on men’s clothes, plain and not much life in the design as usual. The bell ringing every now and then as customers bustle in to purchase an item or pick up an order. Sounds of chatter from the workers to each other or with the women who walked in with their fake smiles and pungent perfumes suffocating the air. Bob yelling out orders and inspecting the workers with his usual frown but kept the ugly smile for the women. Fans blowing loudly but not fast to blow enough cool air for comfort in the big room where the people slaved over their work. Kovacs worked alone in the corner of the store in the back, peddling the electric machine as he was putting the finishing touches on a dress he was ordered to work on weeks ago. Quiet, alone, that’s how he liked it. The young Kovacs wouldn’t have it any other way but to be content in his own small world that consisted of a average size wooden table, a Singer sewing machine, a variety of threads that laid messily next to him, a red cushiony ball of sewing pins and needles stuck onto it every which way with some thread still stuck in its tiny holes, and a shiny thimble. Different patterns of fabrics, measuring tape, a pencil and pen, scissors, sugar cubes, and a half empty bottle of Coca Cola to his right. That’s how he liked it. Brought out from his serene fervor, a loud hard voice broke behind him where he sat.
“Aren’t you done yet Kovacs!? You’re suppose to have it done by now, the young woman is picking it up today at one! Hurry it up!” the old man Bob boomed in his usual tone for his workers.
Walter just nodded silently knowing he still had some time left as he checked his watch on his right wrist. Brows furrowed in concentration he was stitching his W.K. signature on the back of the dress collar where the zipper ends as the last finishing touch. A special dress designed by some woman who hired the store to make. The old fat man in his sweaty stink clothes just turned around to go yell at another worker who he noticed was messing up an order. The dress Kovacs worked on was a off white dress that had some colorful flower designs that were pleasing to the eyes. A long dress it appeared to be with some greens, blues, pinks and purples of the variety of flowers of lilies, irises, and baby’s breath that were decorating the hem of the dress and grew to the middle of it. Some were displaying at the collar and the waist without being overdone. Separate colored ribbons of light blue, white, and purple used as the straps to tie together the dress and the same colored ribbons to tie at the back of the dress. The white ribbons only had the small amount of the flowers decorating it from end-to-end. It was a beautiful dress that is tasteful but it would show the shoulders of the woman who wore it as the negative aspect. Yet whoever designed it seem to be a modest woman and had a somewhat creative mind even though the drawing he was left with was not the greatest, he filled in the blanks and hoped it was what she wanted. He finished his stitching and cut the light blue thread. He looked the dress over to see if there were any loose threads or errors he had made that he overlooked and made sure everything was right in its place. The dress was light in weight to his feel and looked alive with its colorful floral design. He felt a little proud of himself to have made it, though he would not admit it, and smiled a little, but that went away when he heard his managers voice loudly telling him to quickly have it ready to be picked up. Walter got up with a frown and went into the front room through a big oversized door frame, moving the blue cloth flaps that covered; serving as a ‘door’. He went to where the register is and where the customers waited, put a plastic covering over the dress and attached a small yellow tag. Out of a red book he searched for the tag number that was pinned to the dress to find the name and then scribbled on the words of the woman who had ordered it and put it on the pick-up rack on the far right near the big glass window. Anna Smith. An average name, he has never met the woman and wondered what she may look like when she came. A tall modest woman in short black heels wearing a long skirt and a blouse with her handbag hanging from her thin arms? It must be with the dress she had ordered to have made which is probably for her young daughter. He could only guess as he stared at the work he had done.
Another sound of the bell rang from above the door as two women walked in. Kovacs looked up to see who the customers were that came in abruptly. A tall woman and another younger looking one followed close behind, all laughs and giggles until the tall woman moved away did he see who the other one was. His eyes widened as he saw the short young lady before him, her smile big and carefree as she came up to the counter with the other lady standing next to her. He shifted back to his senses as his manager yelled from the back to tell him to care for the customers while he was busy with something else he did not mention. Slowly and painfully shy, he walked closer up to the counter behind the register, books and magazines and paperwork all piled up next to each other. As if controlled by some force he spoke quietly in surprise, trying to hide his emotions.
“May I… help you?” he asked seriously but as gentle as he could with his gruff voice.
The women looked at him with big eyes, especially the taller one who looked at him in a predator like gaze. She grinned with her red lipstick mouth and said almost seductively in an accent,
“Well… yes, sir. I have an order to pick up that I had your shop make for me, is it done?” she questioned in a British accent.
Her dirty blond hair put up in curls with a hairpin holding it together. She wore a tight fitting dress over a very voluptuous body. Her outfit looked awful to him with earthy tones splashed across it and thin fabric. She wore a shoulder purse in much of the same color as her dress. Too much make-up covered her face to his disliking which probably made her look even older. Walter had a hard time paying much attention as he could feel dark eyes peering at him and it made him uncomfortable. He tried to ignore the younger woman who stood to be a couple inches shorter than he. Dressed in jeans and a plain red t-shirt with a peace sign on it and carrying the same messenger bag he once remember seeing her carry before; her hair tied back in a ponytail this time. He didn’t think he would see her so soon or ever! Did she know who he was? Thoughts of worry and anxiety plagued his mind about this unknown woman that he saved not long ago.

“Hello? Are you listening to me? Hey!” the British woman spoke loudly to get Walter’s attention.

Kovacs blinked from his thoughts and narrowed his eyes at the woman, his full attention on her this time.
“Yes, what is your name so I can get your order?” he said in a serious quiet tone.
“It’s Anna Smith thank you very much.” she finished in a irritated voice.
Walter turned to the pick-up rack and looked through the rows of yellow tags attached to the hangers that held the variety of clothing. His eyes went big when he noticed and finally remembered that the dress she is picking up is the dress he had just finished making. So this is the woman he had made the dress for!? She’s the one who designed the dress!? Complete change in his idea of what he thought the woman would look like that would be picking up the dress! He looked at the British woman again in a confused look, trying to ignore the other girls stare and then back at the dress. The older woman just smiled at him in a questioning look wondering what the deal was. He took the dress from off the rack and brought it to her. Her eyes gleamed in excitement and wonder, her mouth stretched into a huge smile; showing her misshapen yellow teeth as she voiced out her opinion loudly to Walter that it looked perfect. She looked at her friend next to her with much warmth. Her friend just smiled with her, excited for her but somewhat confused about the dress it seemed.
“Now Cat, don’t get upset cause I know you didn’t want anything from me but, I couldn’t help it, I had this dress made for you from my own design. Happy birthday!” she yelled in total melodrama.
Cat is her name he thought as he took note in up most shock. The dress was for her!? Cat was taken aback, her face lit up in a silent smile and words could not escape her lips as she looked at the dress in giddy wonderment. She looked at her friend and hugged her as her eyes went back to look at the dress once again as if she couldn’t believe her eyes. It was beautiful and nothing she imagined. She picked it up, the plastic made sounds as she moved the dresses’ hanger to look it up and down more closely to see the work that was in it. Walter could only stand and stare at her, face emotionless but questioning. Perturbed when he realized that he made a dress for the young woman he saved months ago.
“T-thank you Annie, you really shouldn’t have.” she said sweetly in a very appreciated voice.
“Well, what do you think? Do you like it? No?” Annie asked in a worried questioning look towards her short friend.
“Yes! Of course! It looks groovy~!” she said with a cute smile as she looked at Walter and then at her friend again.
“Do you have somewhere she can try it on?” Annie asked as she looked at Walter again.
Kovacs just nodded and pointed at the wooden box behind them that had a curtain and a shelf to where you could sit and a hook on the side to hang clothes and a long mirror. Annie started urging Cat over to the small cramped dressing room and talking her into trying it on before they leave, to make sure it fitted right. Despite Cat’s protest being ignored, Cat finally obliged and shyly went to the changing room while Annie and Walter waited outside, Annie standing near the box and Walter behind the counter still, where he hasn’t moved an inch.
“Hey buddha head, what’s taking you so long, are you in there meditating or something, hurry up I want to see what it looks like on you~!” she called out in her impatient accent.
“I am hold on, just trying to tie the ribbon in the back.” Cat yelled back in frustration.
“Don’t worry about it just get your butt out here so I can see, let me worry about the ribbon.” Annie said in a goofy smile, anticipating her friends fashion show.
Cat pulled the dark green curtains aside and stepped out sheepishly, a light blush across her face, embarrassed to be seen in the dress for all to see. Her friend looked on with such warmth in her eyes and giddy joy as she clasped her hands together, looking on as if a proud mother taking her daughter out shopping for the first time. Anne quickly tied up the ribbon lacing in the back before having her friend make a couple of twirls for her. Walter looked on longingly at Cat, the dress covering her petite body. Tight at the top but very loose at the bottom, the hem of the dress came down at the knees, showing her short sun kissed legs. Her shoulders were loosely covered by the three ribbons that he sewed together to connect the dress. It was an interesting way to use a dress strap. He never imagined the dress on a woman so seeing it first hand worn by one showed its uniqueness and its strange elegance to it. Worth saving her to see this in front of him. The sweet innocent smile she wore and her body still intact. Or so he believed after what had happened when they first met. He couldn’t take his eyes off her as he shamefully stared at the young woman known as Cat, before him. After Cat did a twirl to show off the dress to her friend she stopped and looked at Walter curiously as she asked,
“How do I look?” she said shyly, a blush still gracing her face. As if the question was pointed at Walter.
Kovacs just looked on speechless, unsure what to say as her friend Annie said loudly in reply,
“You look fab, a fox Cat! All the boys are goin’ to whistle at you for sure~!” Annie announced enthusiastically, her smile still big upon her face as if it never left from the earlier impatience beforehand.
Cat turned her attention at her friend again and just smiled big. Thankful for the dress and hugging her again. Walter uncomfortably watched but then quickly looked away and down at the dirty counter before him. Annie turned and looked at the man behind the counter and asked him his age. Walter, surprised and out of his comfort zone, wasn’t sure if he should answer and looked at her strangely for what reason.
“Just answer the damn question dude. How old are you?” Annie asked again but with an irritated voice.
“…Twenty-six…” he answered in a monotonous reply, not sure if it was a good idea and wondered why it was so important to know his age.
Then she went on to asking what he thought of her friend in the dress. Walter, taken a back, turned his attention back on the young miss uncomfortably. Not sure if he should answer, the annoying woman asking too many uncomfortable questions. Seeing the girl once again, the one that bothered him so much, he felt as though he was squirming beneath the surface. Looking her up and down and instead of staring at her eyes he just looked at her small pink lips. To not appear rude and to prevent him from staring into those mysterious black orbs that are her eyes.
“…Beautiful.” he said quietly in response, surprised to hear what came from his thin lips; a small blush graced his freckled face.
Annie just smiled in satisfaction, yep, men will definitely take an interest in her she hoped. The girl needs a boyfriend and has too much time on her hands to be single.
“Brilliant! Well how much is it?” Annie asked in concern as she stared down Kovacs to hurry it up with the answer.
Walter typed in the expenses when he looked at a little red notebook near the old cash register that noted the price when the order was made. He ringed up the order with tax included and it came out to be thirty-five dollars and seventy-five cense. Cat’s eyes and mouth went wide as saucers. Annie just nodded and pulled out a small purse that held her money. Cat protested saying it was “too much” and that’s “ridiculous” and “you shouldn’t pay for something like that for me as a birthday gift” she went on and Annie just shushed her and gave Walter the money, ignoring her complaints. Cat just frowned, she lost the battle as she looked down at the dress she wore. She turns back towards the cramped changing room to change out of the expensive dress. Anne turned quickly to see where her friend was going and in her severe English accent, protested against her going in there and changing out of the dress, she was bloody well going to wear it if it killed her! And to the party of course to show off to all of her friends! She is such a good friend she beamed. Cat went to get her clothes and put it in her messenger bag and remove it from the dressing room so she wouldn‘t forget. Her hands up saying she wasn’t going to change when her friend was giving her the death stare as she inched towards the tiny room, agreeing to wear it. Walter gave Anne her change as he watched the little tirade in front of him. It was amusing he thought as he eyed Cat every now and then. He noticed Anne didn’t move from her spot. He looked up at the tall woman and saw her signature smile on her pale face towards him. He began to dread what was going to happen next and hoped she would just get a move on already.
“Getting a better look at you, you’re actually cute~.” she cooed at Walter.
Kovacs just nodded in distaste. ‘God, when will this annoying woman just go!’ He thought, looking away.
Cat was near the door and just frowned at her friend, rolling her eyes. “Not again Annie, do you really have to hit on every guy you meet!? Come on lets go, I‘m pretty sure he doesn‘t want to be bothered and he‘s in a middle of working Anna.” she said annoyingly ending it with ‘Anna‘ to mean business.
Anne just waved her friend, ignoring her disapproval as she grinned at Walter Kovacs. Biting her lip she asked him sweetly, trying to be alluring,
“So… what are you doing tonight? Are you busy?” Cat tried grabbing her arm to move her along but Anne continued, waving her arm free from Cat’s grasp as she leaned over the counter to get closer; too close for Walter‘s liking.
“Cause… we have this bitchin’ ball that’s for my friend Cat here and you would really be a cool head if you came~. Would you come? For my friends sake please! To thank you for your service, I promise you you won’t regret it.” she said with a deviant grin, hand on her hip while the other one slipped a business card in front of him. She was still leaned over the counter in his space waiting for his reply.
Cat kept calling for her from the door, embarrassed with her friend and Anne just stayed in her place, and yelled back “hold on!” Some more customers came in and Cat tried to get out of their way, Walter looked at the young woman by the door and back at Anne again. Surprised and speechless, he couldn’t believe he was being asked out to party with them, he didn’t even know them! Well mostly Anne but Cat… well sort of not really but he saved her, and she didn’t know that; or so he thought.
“So will you be a cool cat and come or no?” she said, impatiently waiting for him to answer.
Cat complaining some more about customers coming in and that she’s holding up the line. Walter realized the woman wasn’t going to move from her spot until she got an answer out of him. And he noticed the room was getting somewhat cramped up with the new customers coming in like waves. He looked at Cat again, the annoyed, impatient customers, and at Anne again and said with uncertainty and nervousness,
“…I’ll… think about it. Have a nice day.” he finished in a serious tone as he looked straight into the woman’s grey blue eyes and left it at that, taking the card she slipped towards him and putting it in his light brown pants pocket.
She just smirked in reply and stood up and went towards the door to where her waiting friend stood. Both the girls looked back and said “Thank you“, Anne still had the naughty grin gracing her blood red lips and Cat just smiled sweetly with an apologetic look and said a silent “Sorry” at him as they left out the glass door. Kovacs watched the smiling girls go on their way, down the dirty streets of New York, passing the flashing light ‘walk’ and disappeared behind tall worn down buildings. Bob came in and yelled what all the commotion was about when he heard some irritated customers complaining. Walter just stood there staring at the busy street where the girls walked to and from. Wondering. Bob slapped a hand on Walter’s left shoulder breaking him from his revere and loudly said in his irritated hard voice,
“Pay attention and get back to work and stop with the daydreaming! You can do that when you get off your shift which is in five hours! Until then, you’re here working for me and doing your damn work!” he said as he turned to apologize to the waiting customers, kissing ass as usual.
Kovacs just turned his attention back on the situation at hand and asked the next waiting, annoyed customer in line their name. The summer sun still high in the sky and the day was still young, a small fan blowing air into the big room that was not enough to cool anyone. His thoughts still on the girls that were there moments ago now a faint memory and the question on weather to go to the party he was invited to or not. Choices. He had to think about it but didn’t think he would go. Curiosity still picked at his brain though while the business card seem to leave a heavy weight in his pocket.

*groovy (Nice, “cool”, or neat)
*buddha head (Someone of Asian descent (Pre-Political Correctness))
*fab (Great, fantastic, fabulous)
*fox (An outstanding looking girl or women)
*dude (A geek or a panty waist (which was the actual meaning in the 60‘s))
*bitchin’ (Good, exciting, awesome)
*ball (Party)
*cool head (Nice guy)
*cat (a guy)
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