Pawn Shop (1)

"You yawn are yawnnnnn a scam artist," Graham complained as he reviewed his daily profits after closing the doors to Planet Onia three hours after opening.

After selling all 10 cases of water and most of his containers of flour, the total profits for his first day of sales were as follows.

810 Mirystals.

That sounded good, right?

Wrong.

After IMES took its 90% cut, all that was remaining was 81 Mirystals for the person who had done the work of spending their last 1000 credits, buying, lugging, and labeling the merchandise. 

And yet, all he got was a measly 10% cut.

As Graham rightfully complained to IMES, it responded in its characteristic calm tone.

[Apologies.]

[Maybe you should get some rest and eat some food, as you seem to be quite disgruntled.]

"You're disgruntled, your mom is disgruntled! I can't sleep on that lumpy bed. I'll just yawnnn stay here."

Graham made himself comfortable on the stool, pillowing his head on his arms as he fell asleep on the counter.

[Activating Protocol - Tired Merchant] 

IMES murmured in a low tone as the golden globe of light cleaned up the filth that had been tracked into the store and rose through the ceiling to bring down a blanket that it draped over Graham's shoulders.

As Graham snuggled into it, the golden ball of light fluffed his red hair for a moment before it became still as it waited for him to wake up.

[Sleep Well.]

*****

When Graham woke up, he had the worst crick known to mankind in his neck from sleeping on the counter.

Rubbing his tired eyes and groaning, he checked the laptop to see what time it was on Earth. 

[6:02]

Perfect.

After taking a quick shower, he changed his Merchants Uniform into the daytime uniform of the troubled youth on Southside Market Street.

A black tracksuit set, black boots, black leather gloves, and a black balaclava (ski mask) with black sunglasses over it.

After making sure his short red hair was properly tucked into the ski mask without being visible, Graham put 5 Mirystals into a ziplock baggie. 

Then he looked up at the glowing gold ball that was IMES.

"Are you coming with me?"

[Unfortunately, I cannot.]

[Since you have not unlocked that capability yet, I will remain alone, here in the shop.]

For some reason, Graham thought IMES' voice felt a bit sad, so he gently poked his finger at the ball of light before asking.

"Can I bring back something for you? Like a souvenir?"

[Oh!]

[Yes!]

[There's a recent economic book that was published called Tax Avoidance Tactics in up-and-coming Magical Worlds.]

[I would appreciate it if you could find me a copy!]

[If you can't find that one, then How To Maximally Exploit Individuals Without Taking it Too Far Vol. 12 would be my second choice!]

[I've heard it has excellent reviews]

Heard from who?????

Somehow not wanting to know the answer, Graham replied faintly.

 "...I'll do my best." to not find it.

After waving at IMES, Graham opened the newly added door by the now-empty stairwell, peeking his head out carefully before stepping out and locking the door.

He activated his Disguise skill and imagined himself blending into the background as he took it all in.

The smell of cheap smokes, greasy food, the sight of people walking down without acknowledging anybody in front of them, and of course the smell of piss.

 It all greeted Graham as he walked down the sidewalk while avoiding people rushing past him.

Once he was far enough from his store, he hid behind a trash can and deactivated his disguise skill before walking forward.

As he recognized the area and realized that the door was located near the central region of Southside Market Street, Graham vowed to try to find the first boo for IMES but definitely not the second.

He was still quite disgruntled, having recently been exploited a little too far (90% tax).

Soon, Graham walked across a nondescript street that seemed out of place simply because it wasn't busy.

Gold Alley.

Aptly named by the amount of wealth exchanged by pawn shop owners who didn't ask too many questions and preferred giving payment in marked or unmarked gold.

The street was organized with the casual pawn shops located near the entrance where Graham was, and the more distinguished and private establishments located further in.

As he just wanted to get some cheap information, Graham headed to the first one he saw, Robert's Pawn Shop, a plain-looking shop with no windows and retractable metal bars above the doorway.

He slammed the door open cockily while yelling in a gruff voice at the chubby old man he saw standing behind the only counter there.

"Hey, old man! I got some goods for you to check out!"

"Grahhh! It's too early for all this yelling," the old man angrily slammed his fist on the counter while looking Graham over up and down.

Seeing no notable bulge on his body that indicated a weapon, he relaxed the hand that had clutched a weapon hidden beneath the counter.

"What do you have, you punk?"

In response, Graham just slammed the ziplock baggie full of Mirystals on the counter.

"How much for the bunch, old man?"

"What's this supposed to be? I don't deal in drugs."

"It's mana stones you blind old fart! Take out your damn machine and test the purity and concentration!"

"Where's a little brat like you getting mana stones? Are you sure it's not some glass chips? I've never seen them like this before!" the old man yelled while greedily eyeing the contents of the ziplock bag.

It had been a while since he had seen one since their mining was pretty regulated, but this was definitely a chipped piece of mana stone.

Where the hell had the brat gotten it?

And did the brat know for sure what he had, or was he just guessing after robbing somebody?

Seeing that expression, Graham forced away the smile that came to his lips.

It seemed that his assumption was right, but just to be sure, he would use the man a little bit more.

"Don't ask. Don't tell! Can't you read your own rules? If you don't want to check it, I can go somewhere else." Graham pointed to the big sign behind the man's head and made to grab the Ziploc baggie, but the old man's hand slammed down hard, holding the baggie in place.

"I never said all that. Relax, let me take it to the back and check it."

"You think I'm stupid, right? Bring the machine out here and check it here so I can see." Graham snatched the baggie back and waved it at the old man's face, watching his eyes follow it greedily.

"How are you going to pay for the machine use. You know it's expensive to charge the machine if you don't have mana. Gotta call a specialist. What if these stones are fake and I wasted a charge?"

Although he said those words, it wasn't very convincing, seeing the eyes that wouldn't leave the baggie.

Knowing he had the leverage, Graham decided to pretend to go.

"I know what I brought. You know what, forget it. You're acting like you're the only place open. I'll just go down the street." 

Graham shoved the baggie into his pocket and had one foot out the door before he felt a meaty hand on his shoulder.

"Wait! This is the problem with youth these days. They're so hasty."

"Don't touch me, old man! You're out here wasting my time on nonsense! Asking me stupid questions and trying to rob me blind!"

"All right, all right, stop yelling! Come in let me test your damn rocks! I'll bring the machine out. Sheesh."

As he was led inside, Graham finally let out a smile beneath his ski mask.

Bingo.