Mel glanced up at the hesitant stranger, affording him the easy, laid-back grin she was well-known for back home, chased by a very unladylike snort. "Nope," she answered him, pausing to pluck a gear out of place. She set it aside, placing it inside the curved dome of the glass clock face to keep it from running away on her.
"If I did, this clock wouldn't be half this filthy. I'm surprised it even runs." Her expression was a little impish, having been caught dismantling the city clock. "But if Belle's going to be the town cook, I guess I'm going to be the town mechanic. And as long as that doesn't make you the town sheriff here to arrest the person vandalizing City Hall, I think we'll get along. I'm Mel. I'd shake your hand, but..." Not only did it require leaning over the entirety of the clock, but a wagggle of her fingers revealed the fine black smudges of dirt on her fingertips.