Chapter One: A Good Start - Part One

Author's Note:
Judging by the title of this novel, 'Stalking Hams', you might think at first that it is a story about live baloney (yes, the ones we eat in picnics and in between a sandwich), stalked by hungry humans. WRONG. To view a summary, scroll down the sidebar and search for the 'about' section. Each chapter is divided into several(or more)parts to suit my schedule (basically, whenever I feel like writing). I would try my best to update the novel regularly, and announce updates on this site under the 'New! on Stalking Hams' section on the sidebar. Please comment on the tagboard or under a chapter, or mark an option of your opinion that comes with each post. In addition, this novel would be typed out all in BLACK for easier reading! Enjoy!

    
"So yer looking fer a pet that doesn't get in the way of yer work and doesn't require much maintenance and hassle..." The shop owner said, more to himself than to his first customer of the first day of his store opening.
The customer drummed his fingers on his crossed arms impatiently, "Yes. Any of that to offer in here?"
"Why, of course! My store has everything yer ever need. Now follow me, good lad!"
He followed the store owner with that weird, rough accent through to the back of the store ("Reminds me of that Hagrid from the 'Harry Potter' movies," he thought), trying to conceal his glee of getting his very first pet in all his 30 something odd years.
"Here they are," the shop owner gesticulated towards a small plastic box.
The customer surveyed the box. In it covered an inch of crumpled cloth-like paper.
"That's the bedding," the owner burst out, as if reading his mind."It helps absorb their pee, it does."
Atop the mount of bedding, a ceramic food bowl stood in a corner, filled with sunflower seeds and a variety of nuts. A tiny piece of cucumber had even found its place there, in the bowl. An exercise wheel was placed in the middle, and on the wheel, a hamster slept, its tiny size heaving as it breathed. Several more of the same kind huddled in another corner- some white, some with just a tint of gray.
"Hamsters?" The customer stared questioningly at the one on the wheel.
"Yep," the owner swelled with pride. "These are Winter Whites. Average lifespan of 2 years. Don't sell 'em elsewhere no more!"
"What's more, they're easy to take care of, just require two meals a day yer see. Won't affect yer work at all!" He rambled on.
The customer nodded slowly, "I'll take two of them, I suppose. Females."
"They're all females in here, except those last two near the food bowl. Take yer pick."
He pointed at the one on the wheel first. Then after a few moments, he pointed at a lone, petite hamster with a grey line running through its spine.
"Ah, good choice, lad," the shop owner lifted the lid of the box. "Those are both just 3 months old."
He grabbed a bucket by a stool and placed both hamsters in. The purely white hamster on the wheel looked irritated to be woken up so abruptly. The owner then placed the bucket by the counter and went around the store with the customer, recommending a cage, chew toys, premium nutritious food, bedding and sand baths.
Then, the customer caught sight of a tiny package next to grooming brushes for rabbits. Protected by plastic, was some form of string made of pink cloth - but thicker. It formed a loop.
"What is this for?" The customer held up the package for the shop owner to see.
"Aye, that's a leash fer small animals that is."
"How about hamsters?"
"That'd work too. Just don't tie that 'round their necks. It'd choke 'em yer see."
The customer placed two of the packages on the counter, with the rest of his purchases, which included sufficient food, sand and bedding to last at least a year, as well as a couple of wood chewables in the form of different fruit. He finally chose a cage of a bright orange colour, with a second and third storey (He personally called the third an attic).
"That'd be all for now," the customer whipped out his wallet.
After payment, the shop owner helped the customer load the cage, the huge bag of hamster neccessities and the bucket of the two baby hamsters into his car.
"Thanks fer choosing 'Pawfully Yours'!" The owner waved as he watched the customer drive away.
                                         ***
                         End of Chapter One - Part One