tuffy stood absolutely transfixed as she stared into the window of the department store. Hanging on a headless manequin was the most beautiful chocolate-pudding colored dress she had ever seen. "I want it!" she declared.

Tom, who had draped himself over Stuffy's shoulder, twitched his tail as he pondered and said "Stuffy, you're a five foot tall pink stuffed kangaroo. You're made out of fabric. Why do you want to add more fabric to your frame?"

"Now, Tom." said Fred, the battered old teddy bear who stood by Stuffy's leg. "Stuffy's worked very hard for the money she has, and she has every right to spend it as she pleases. If a dress would make her happy, there's no reason not to get one."

The kangaroo rubbed her paws together. "I'm so nervous! What if they won't sell it to me?"

"We'll never know if we don't ask."

Stuffy steeled her courage and entered the store.

A clerk in a red vest merrily placed clothing on a rack. When she saw the three plush animals approaching, she froze and stared.

"Hello." said the kangaroo. "Can I bother you?"

"Uh... uh... sure. What can I do for you?"

"I'd like one of those beautiful silky brown dresses in the window."

The clerk eyed Stuffy up and down before responding "For yourself?" she asked.

Stuffy looked dismayed. "Well, of course for me." she said.

"I'm sorry." the clerk responded. "I don't mean to be rude. It's just that we don't get many plushies in here buying clothes. Usually they go to toys or crafts of pet supplies or detergents."

"Understood." interjected Fred, who adjusted his glasses and snugged his plaid vest to lend strength to the idea of plushie apparel. "But Miss Stuffy IS purchasing clothing. I suggest you accommodate her if you wish to make a sale."

The clerk seemed dismayed for a moment, then walked off saying "I'll be right back."

"I do hope you haven't initiated needless hostility." said the boneless cat still draped over Stuffy's shoulder.

The teddy shook his head. "Sometimes when you deal with humans, you have to be firm. Even after all this time, they still think of us as toys.

"Oh no." said Stuffy.

"I wouldn't think it would be that much of a surprise."

"No. No. The sales-lady is talking to a manager. They're looking over here and whispering."

Fred moved inbetween a pair of clothing racks to get a better look. The woman and her manager took a dress exactly like the one for which she'd asked and removed it from the sales floor.

"I knew it." said Stuffy, pouting. "They'd rather get rid of it than give it to me."

"Wait just a moment." Tom advised. "They may return."

And so Stuffy stood, letting customers stare at her as they passed. The three of them said nothing. For many long minutes, nothing happened.

"I guess I was right." said the kangaroo.

"I'm sorry." Tom tried to console her.

Stuffy started toward the entrance.

"Ma'am? Ma'am!"

She turned around to see the manager running after her with the dress in his hands. "I'm very sorry to have kept you waiting. I took the liberty of running the dress back to alterations to have the waist let out for your non-human figure."

Stuffy's plastic eyes were wide. "You mean you are going to sell it to me?"

"Well of course! Why wouldn't we?"

"Because... because I'm a plushie."

The manager smiled. He looked down one of the other Aisles and called "Amy, could you come here for a second?" He turned back to Stuffy and said "I'd like you to meet Amy, our assistant manager.

Stuffy was surprised to see a stuffed giraffe come around the corner.

"Pardon me for asking." said the giraffe. "Are you going to buy that dress?"

"Well, yes."

Amy smiled. "I have been wanting to buy a dress for so long, but I never had the courage. I didn't think there were any other plushies who wore clothing."

Stuffy began to laugh.

Later on, the three stuffed friends stopped by Yang's for lunch. Of course, none of them needed to eat, but it would be nice to sit down in a place with a pleasant atmosphere and relax for a while. Yang's also offered a variety of colorless hot beverages which plushies could enjoy without staining themselves.

As they walked in the door, they happened to see a pair of friends sitting in a corner booth. Sadie and Leo noticed them as well, and called them over.

"That is a beautiful dress!" exclaimed Sadie as she looked Stuffy over.

"You really think so?"

"I do. Don't you think, Leo?"

The lion licked his plastic teeth as he looked the kangaroo over. "I think you look like a chocolate cherry."

Sadie fwapped Leo with her artificial hand.

"I'm in such a good mood," said Stuffy. "That I'm not going to smack you."

"I thank you for that. (Sniff sniff) is that cherry pie I smell?"

Sadie lifted her gaze across the dining area. "Don't look now, Stuffy, but there's someone staring at you."

The pink kangaroo turned around to see a well-dressed scarecrow lower his gaze to his tea. He acted embarassed for only a second, then got up and approached the others. "I apologize for staring." he said. "It's just that I have never seen such a beautiful plush in such a beautiful dress."

"Why thank you, Mr."

"Atkins. S.C. Atkins. My friends call me 'Crow'."

"Stuffy."

"Oh? I'm sorry if I..."

"No! Not you. That's my name."

The scarecrow laughed through his perpetually closed mouth. "I'm looking forward to the day when we plush can have normal names."

"Me too." said the kangaroo. "Would you like to join us?"

"I'd love to. It's a welcome change to meet so many fellow plush in one place."

Stuffy smiled wide. "Ever heard of Joe's Coffee House?"