Project X was taking shape.

Some of the seams were sloppy, some ragged but they were serviceable. He wiped the sweat out of his eyes and continued linking the armature to the left fixing point. Lubricant from the part oozed through the new seam making the work slow. Only a few weeks left. A self imposed deadline made the task seem more unstoppable. Inevitable.

“Gettin’ there.” he opined. “Might be time to find you some crowning glory.”

He bundled his project into the Ford and drove to town. The 4th of July parade was just under way. He surveyed the potentials. Too small, not round enough, too curly, too odd… But then, there it was – just the right shapes, decorated with long straight locks, a long clean neck, and alone.

Getting excited, he pulled a card from the grimy stack in the glove box. He scrawled a few words, and struggling to contain his glee, climbed out of the car and dropped the card in the mail box he had parked beside. Breathing hard, he pulled the long-bladed hand saw from the boot and…