Floating from job to job may eventually bring the new arrival to the door of Hitchcock Textiles, on a day and time when Mr. Hitchcock isn't present and the bookkeeper is working the till.

There aren't many customers in just now either. As the newcomer enters, a young dwarf is just paying for a few spools of embroidery thread and a length of cream-colored linen, and a pair of humans are finishing their browsing and heading out.

"I'll be with you in just a moment," says the young woman behind the counter to the newcomer, "please feel free to look around."