Donuts and Longfellow

Chapter 54
J.P. moved the filming of the movie to the 'Chicago of the North.'
A film friendly city, the rich heritage of every race and nationality desiring to live a peaceful and prosperous life, had put down roots here.
The film Crew had gathered at a small eatery in the heart of the Exchange District and J.P. was giving instructions for the day.
"Jayne, you're looking a bit sad today. Why don't you ask Simmy to go shopping for a few old books today? Would you like that?"
Jayne smiled, a hopeful and grateful relief of a smile. The shadow in her eyes, momentarily, lifted.
"Give her a call. She knows this city and can probably show you around."
Jayne sprang to her feet and smiled sincerely, "You guys have a great day."
. . .
Within the hour, Simmy and Jayne were driving down some history rich streets, on the hunt for old, beautiful books to use for the movie.
"Where would you like to go, Jayne?"
"Do you have any ideas? I'd just like to relax today. I'm a little stressed. I didn't do my homework."
Simmy quickly glanced at Jayne out of the corner of her eye, "I know a couple of places. We'll stop for one of the best donuts you've ever had."
Jayne brightened up immediately, "Ooh, I'd love to bring the Crew some special donuts."
The next two hours were a dance of dime store, dusty fingers, lifting and scouring behind, and humming old songs as they sifted through old LP's, just for the fun of it.
After two stores didn't uncover any good finds, Simmy suggested, "Let's go get those donuts. We could use a pick-me-up."
As they walked into the donuts store, Jayne said, "It smells good in here."
There was 'no ambiance' to draw the eye, just three old brass lighting fixtures, one without a bulb in it... and Simmy thought, 'This man needs 'new eyes' to see his store like we do.'
There was a finicky customer ahead of them. He was tall, wore shoes that looked like they could have been purchased in 1945, and he carried a cane.
These two were in no hurry to finish with their exchange. The tug-of-war to see if the customer could get an extra brown paper bag from the store owner was lengthy and hard fought.
Simmy sensed it wasn't their first battle of wills.
A group of four people entered the shop and one of them said, "Mmm, it smells nice in here."
Just five minutes later, another group came in and the drawing card was, again, elicited, "It smells good in here."
Simmy laughed, "Everyone is saying that today."
Finally,... it was her turn to order.
"What is your nationality?" She asked the store owner, who was cramming six donuts into one small brown paper lunch bag.
"I'm German."
Simmy replied, "Ich spreche Deutsch aber nicht sehr gut!"
He looked at Simmy across the glass showcase. His eyes squinted in suspicion, warning, 'You're not getting two brown paper bags so don't try and schmooze me.'
"Where were you born?" Simmy smiled and kept the connection going.
"I was born in Germany. I was in the U.S. during the war, the Vietnam War, but I was one of the lucky ones. I didn't have to go. I studied engineering but after the War, I went to pastry school and became a chef."
Simmy smiled, "These are the best donuts. I come here just to buy these."
After Jayne finished with her order, they exited the shop so the other groups of people could get looked after.
Simmy looked at the store owner and said, "Guten Abend!" It was likely to be 'abend' by the time he looked after them all.
The next store yielded a prize indeed. Simmy had only found a small package of six gold buttons to purchase but she stood behind another customer, impatiently waiting to pay her fifteen cents.
As she looked at the shelf above the two small, older Russian women, she spotted twinkling gold letters, 'Longfellow.' Calmly she asked one of ladies if she could see the book. The little old lady spoke forth her knowledge, "If a book doesn't have a date of printing, they say it's very old."
Simmy opened the book looking for a date, "LONDON, FREDERICK WARNE & CO. BEDFORD STREET, STRAND."