Norman didn't travel in crowds. Norman was a very simple-minded man. Or so it seemed. He preferred his distance from people. Besides, he had so much to deal with. Taking care of his Mother and running the motel. He didn't have much time for socializing and the like. Not that he was any good at it. There were sometimes, however, when he wished there could be someone to talk to. Someone other than Mother. Mother yelled and degraded and hissed. Sometimes Norman wanted a friend who wasn't so demanding. A friend who wasn't a stuffed bird.
"M-mother wouldn't like r-r-red. She might not like yellow, but I think it's a safer choice. Red is too much like ... b-b-blood."
Norman followed Simon into the hardware store and gave it a good look around. It was then that he realized he hadn't properly introduced himself.
"My name is Norman, by the way. Norman Bates. I would give you a card but I don't have any just yet. But I'm thinking of having some made. If you ever want to get away from The City for a while, you're welcome to come up to my motel. Your sister too, if she wants. Could be like a little v-vacation."
He took a deep breath. He was getting nervous. Why was he getting nervous? He needed to stop his stuttering. So he turned and began looking at the paints.