Even Trade

*tock*

" Oh, hello! Do come in!"

" Hello, good sir. It's a lovely business you have going here! "

" Haha, oh no, sir, not at all! I assure you, this is quite humble as far as a business might go! How may I assist you today? "
" Oh, really? Well, as you can - " * coughing* " - see, I am but an old gnome, so perhaps my idea of a well-furnished shop might differ from the likes of you, young man. "

" Hah, very true, very true indeed! "
" As for the business, young man.. I, ah, am interested in the purchase of some jewellery. I've heard you will be able to procure such? "

" Oh, of course, of course good sir! And how might this jewellery be like? "

" Hm.. let me think a moment, my memory's not as good as it used to be! " *coughing*

" Oh, would you like some tea, sir? "

" Oh, it's fine, thank you young man. But...uh... small.. stones..."

" Small, you say? How small? "
" I'm.. not sure.. er.. is it weight you count by? "

" Why, yes it is. "

" Hm.. um... I.. I'm not sure how big.. "

" Hm... oh, tell you what, my good man, I do have these samples. Perhaps they will aid you in estimating the size of your purchase? "
" Oh, how thoughtful of you, young man!  Hm.. let's see... er...th- no, not this. Ah ... I thiiiiiiink... this size, yes. This size will do nicely. "

" Jolly good, sir! What sort of material will you require for it? "

" Ah... let.. let me think a moment... o..oh! Oh yes, serendibite."

" S-s-s-se-whatnow? "

" Serendibite, mister.. ah, Burnwine, was it? "

" ..I...I'm afr-fraid we're o-o-out of those.."

" Are you, now? "

" W-w-why, yes, y-yes, we ran out of those a while back, sir.  "

" Oh? "

" Yes, I'm afraid so. Terribly sorry, sir. "

" Oh.. that's.. that's a terrible shame....y..you see, it's for my dying friend....."

" I'm - what? "

" My poor friend.. he's on his last legs. He's old, of course, like I am, but I'm afraid ever since he returned from Gnomeregan, he- he's not going to last long.  He's always talked about his lost love's wedding ring, made from a gem called serendibite... I.. I wish to give it to him, as a last gift from an old friend. "

" O..oh dear.. I'm terribly sorry, sir...I.. I didn't know.."

" It's.. well, I'm so sorry, I know so little about the gem, itself, but it's the last thing I can give my dear friend.  Won't you help an old man and his sentimental old friend? "

" I.. I would, but we... w-w-we're out of stock, sir. "
" ... You're... you're not telling the truth."

" W-what? No, you must understand, sir, w-we truly are out of supply! "

" You won't spare an old man his friend's last wishes. Is this the sort of business you run? "

" No, sir, please. You - "

" I.. " * sighs* " I suppose I can't force you, young man. And my friend would not want me to threaten you, either. I.. well, I can't r- "

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

" What is that? "

" N-nothing, sir! N- "

SSSSSSSSSSSSSS

" O-oh bloody biscuits, hold on a moment.."

SSSSSSSSSSSSS

" What is that? "

" Nothing to be wary of, sir. I shall have it handl- EGAD! STOP THAT! "

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

" That... crate....it's..there's some unnatural force about it.."

" Do tell! This contraption appears to be cursed! I cannot quite seem to get rid of it! "

" Oh...y-young man? I might be able to take it off your hands.."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

" O- GAH! Oh? "

" Yes.. I.. I shall have to return soon. I have a family ornament that can cease the creature.. I..but I have one request. "

" O..but..but I.. there isn't any - "

" I promise I will not tell of this thing in your shop, young man. I - I believe I can handle this crate, and in return, I only wish that you fulfill my dying friend's last wish. I.. I will pay, of course, any price you wish. I'll start at 4,000 gold for that size of serendibite. "

" I.. well.."

SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!

" Bloody -! Ah, al.. alright, I shall have it delivered in a day. "

" G- oh, truly? Wonderful! Thank you, young man! You have no idea how happy you've made my old heart!  "

" Ah.. well... yes, sir. I am so sorry for earlier misgivings, it's simply that - "

" Now, now, there's nothing to be sorry about, you're doing such a wonderful thing for me! Shall I pick this up tomorrow afternoon? "

SSSSSSSS-*whap*

"W.. well, yes, tomorrow afternoon should be fine. "

" Thank you thank you thank you sir! Thank you so much! Have a great Hallow's End! "

" Yes, you too sir! "
* door closes*

" Finally. "