That Purple Hat! (400 words)

 

Over at https://moreoddsthanends.home.blog/2020/11/11/week-46-of-odd-prompts/ Becky Jones prompted

The day started out normally enough. But, when you climbed the stairs up from the subway station, you did not expect to see ____ (whatever/whoever you like) waiting for you. And certainly not wearing the purple hat!

Hum, who or what was waiting for you. Up from the subway... which city?

That Purple Hat! (400 words)

By Mike Barker 

Harold snorted, rolled over, and looked at the clock. Oh, man, where did that dream come from? He blinked, and thought about it. Okay, the dwarf or troll or whatever was... Well, Lord of the Rings and lots of other fantasies had people like that. Heck, he had seen that documentary on the Munchkins from Wizard of Oz the other day. So the little guy who wanted to shake his hand, that was just that kind of thing rolling around in the back of his head. What was his name? Gwibble? And that hat? Well, wasn't there one of them that dipped his hat in blood so it was red? Purple... heck, he liked purple, so why not. He chuckled, and closed his eyes again. Just another short nap, then he'd have to get up and get going for the day.

Breakfast, a big glass of juice, cornflakes with honey and milk. Shave, brush your teeth, shower. Oh, shoot, he was running out of shirts. Have to do laundry soon. But... grab the coat and get going.

The crowds in the subway were always there. And... this was his stop. Push his way out the door, follow the crowd, out the turnstiles, and up the stairs.

As he walked into the sunshine, he blinked. And blinked again, as a short figure stepped in front of him and lifted its arm in greeting. What? Gwibble? And... he shook his head. He was wearing that purple hat, the purple cowboy hat! Seeing it in the sunshine, he realized it was jeweled, with rhinestones, so it glittered!

He looked around quickly. No one else seemed to notice the dwarf standing in front of him, even with that outlandish hat.

"And a fine good morning to you, master magician!" Gwibble said, grabbing his hand and shaking it.

"What? How..." Harold gabbled.

Gwibble chuckled. "Ah, I must be your first. You see, some of your people are able to bring us across, out of the dreamlands, and into the world you live in. And, clearly, you are one of them! So, you've brought me to this fine country, where I shall live from now on."

Harold closed his eyes, squeezed them hard shut, and then opened them again. No, the dwarf was still standing there, smiling at him. 

(whoops, no time to finish this... but it does seem like a fun beginning! Thanks!)