orangetoughguy | log post II

[Oh he's got it coming. The way this kid is strutting through the streets dressed to the nines seals the deal. Lawrence was thinking of taking him on out to the balcony like they had talked about only like a rock and roll fantasy. That's where they'd have the best view of the lights.]

Seein' but not liking. What happened, huh? Was it the company?

[Maybe he didn't want to go in the first place. That could be why. Larry acts as though no one could truly hate Las Vegas. What's there to hate so much as to not get a little light hearted and carefree?]

Here we go.

[This little pawnshop has a bouncer. Yeah. It's about to get intense. In the window is a full Indian headdress. The price tag says $500 dollars. Just one of the many treasures afoot.]

A little. I mean us guys just kinda road tripping around ain't exactly blending in you know? Never got the feeling I fit in. Never had the right kinda guy to show me around.

[And that's the honest truth. He doesn't hate the place, especially not now. Just look at Larry walking along like it's the most natural thing in the world. Freddy believes for him, Wisconsin transplant or not, it really is second nature. He wonders what kind of experiences the old man's had in Sin City, some better than others. In he goes into the pawnshop, keeping his gaze averted from the bouncer to play off the idea he knows what he's doing. At least one of them does, whew.]

Was this place always here?

[He has to ask because the city layout doesn't seem different, but then there's this pawn shop straight out of Nevada. Will it be gone when the curse is over or return to 'normal'--holy shit.]

...Comics.

Until you find somebody better, I'll do my best.

[Joking, joking. It would be wrong to say that there isn't the tiniest shred of truth in it. Who would be more better matched? Larry is starting to believe that there is no one else. A fucking year down, it's too soon to say normally, adversity and sheer insanity has driven them closer together. It can't all be sheer survival.

Brown eyes steal side glances at the kid and the way the neon catches on his face and suit now and then. Luck ain't a lady tonight.]

Sure it was. Except I remember it being farther away. Oh well.

[There's half a dinosaur--something like that one movie they saw. Something Park near the door.]

Uh? Oh yeah. They got those here too.

[Hey it's a raptor. The half-a-dinosaur does catch his attention but not for long. A pile of stuff in one corner has all kinds of stacks of obscure and 'old' comic books. For some of these the price says to consult the register, others are the equivalent of loose change. One comic, a framed first edition of Astro Boy's original strip, is tagged in the quadruple digits. Damn.]

Look at all these man.

[They have old fashioned DC and Marvel toys from years gone by too, like a soft figure of Sinestro. Oh hey, Larry's still here. Right, he hasn't forgotten the old man or anything, honest.]

What do you pick up around here?

[Freddy asks because he's interested in that too, though his hand stays right on top a pile of issues that aren't even in sleeves.]

[He pulls his eyes away from the ten gallon hat that belonged to The Duke.]

What did you find?

[The old man's leaning over to take a gander. Sure enough, it looks like a bunch of super hero regalia.]

Damn. [Now he's looking at those price tags.] Not your ordinary comics. [....Right? Otherwise they look like they belong in Freddy's room.]

Rings. Watches. Cuff links. [Like the ones in the box behind glass right there.]

At least somebody wants to keep that stuff.

[He gives a nod to the cuff link fiend. Nevermind how Freddy has first hand experience in knowing no everything turned into a pawn shop was unwanted but he doesn't think about those circumstances right now. Especially not with so much under his big nose.]

These are ordinary comics, they were back in the 70s.

[The kid explains. Does he need to go into comic book grading and all too? How some people call their comic book collections their 'investment portfolio'? To Freddy Newendyke most of those people aren't real fans and he has a sneaking suspicion whoever runs this shop won't part with some of these for loose change either/]

If they are, why're they that much?

[It's an idle question.

A pair of links look like they're supposed to be bird talons. Huh. Nope, those aren't for the old man. It's a glimmering rock, not too big. Can't be garnet, it must be amber.]

What do you think of those?

[Green eyes look left then right before he leans in closer to whisper to Larry just why they're that much.]

Collector's market. They're pretty much antiques, some of these.

[He doesn't want anyone behind the counters to know he knows what he's talking about so he's on to them. The prospect of getting one of these for under the marked up value seems dismal unless a certain Mr. White can work his magic.

Oh yeah, Larry's looking at stuff too ain't he?]

Those are--[Wait. Another pair catches his eye. Freddy points to a pair of ivory links capped with gold filigree and small diamonds.] What about those?

[Note; he didn't pick those out of some sense of actual taste. Freddy just thought to himself, what would Bruce Wayne wear?]

[Even though he's whispering about comics the hush tone of voice strikes a chord in the old man. It's private VIP information from the kid.]

Mmmhmm.

[He pretends that this is because of the riches before them. What now? Larry leans in to take a look at Freddy's pick.]

Say. Those are sharp. Think they'd look good?

[Sure are pretty fine to the eye, likely heavy in price. That's fine...what makes him want them more is that the kid chose them.]

I think you're gonna have to put'em on and find out.

[Freddy suggests with a point of his finger. There's just something way more comfortable for him in a pawn shop compared to an upscale boutique. Where the kid has to be coaxed into being tailored under the old man's guidance here Freddy talks and acts as he pleases. Maybe he's underestimating the staff.]

I think you're right. What about your goods?

[He nods at the 'ordinary comics' over there.]

Excuse me. [Voice raised politely to address anyone who's near by.] I wanna take a look at those. Think that's number...18-6-12? This guy wants some help too.

[That's you, Freddy.]

I can't try on comics.

[That's a dumb remark coming from the kid but he doesn't know what else to say because he's not ready to negotiate prices just yet. He waves a hand at the other guy.]

I'm only buying if he's buying.

[Maybe vice versa if the two can manage. The older one won't buy those cufflinks if the younger one can't buy his comics. Fair enough for a pawn shop, right? That's another thing Freddy wouldn't dare suggest at a swanky boutique.]

Take a look at it and make sure it's what you thought, you know>

[Elbow. He does it because he cares. Even if they don't bother buying, they get the satisfaction of handling pretty cool shit. The big drink of water comes on over and opens up the case to place the cuff-links on the counter. The man is not going to budge until it's replaced into the case.

Larry turns it over, looking with mild interest. They really are fine pieces. It's the kind of shit only real wealthy people buy and use. It'll rest for the night on top of the old man's nightstand with a comb, an ashtray and a digital clock, not some fine case. Sheer luxury item.]

Don't they ever polish these things?

[...gotta start somewhere.]

Got it, got it.

[The kid waves a flappy hand. He'll rifle through the stock while watching and listening in on the old man's conversation. He may not say it often but Freddy loves watching Larry work his magic, his fucking charm. His infatuation with it started long before Toby Wong. Who knows if it's gonna work on this other guy though.

Holy shit. What's this?]

The Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe. [Yes, he's reading it aloud. Flip flip flip flip. The kid's going through the pages enthusiastically. Too fast to be reading it all of course so don't have a cow, salesman.]

["Of course they do. You're buying it as is. Market price right now is--" far more than what it looks like for something so small. Huh. Larry holds one of the links up to the light then tests the hinges.]

That's the price if it wasn't...you know what I'm sayin'. I understand you guys gotta make a business here. That's fine, believe me. A price like that I gotta think about.

[Eyeballs roll Freddy's way.]

That one any good?

I'm liking it I'm liking it.

[Whoa tone it down Newendyke, that's no way to make a bargain. Sorry Dimick, the kid might blow it. Ahem, he puts the comic down.] Let me see.

[There he is again, trying to play it cool, wanting to see those links on his man.]

[Here, the old hand will help.] Sure but are you lovin' it? [Please don't answer Freddy...though Larry won't love you any less if you say yes. The way those green eyes are glittering with glee it is true. Hopefully the pawn dude shaped like a barrel can't read it as plainly.]

I guess I can try em on.

[As though reluctant. Can they both be an Oscar winning duo?]

Edited 2011-07-14 18:12 (UTC)

[It's a miracle the kid manages to keep his mouth shut but anyone who can read those caramel green eyes can tell his answer is "YES." He has to mentally slap himself from laughing over the absurdity of Frank Castle slaughtering the X-Men.]

They any better than your other ones?

[The unseen challenger is just a ruse to get the barrel to lower the price a bit. Haggling is a delicate art. At least Freddy's managed to take his mind off the comic....but it comes with him when he joins Larry at the counter to look.]

Sure. I kinda like the color but. Mmm. [He turns his wrist this way and that to look at it.] That black one's nice. It's what? Hmm.

[There we go. Now the barrel is hemming and hawing. Down goes the price.]

Tell you what, I got a little less than that but I'll pay that if you throw in whatever he's got. Twofer.

[Hoooopefully that's in the range he was thinking of.]

[Oh now the barrel's getting ideas because that comic's no two cent castoff either. Granted it's not a quadruple digit either, not even a triple digit, but it's the very first run. It ain't no insert in a trade paperback. It's a small sacrifice to make for the links.]

And this.

[In goes a MINT ON CARD little metal model of an 80s era Batmobile. Larry might not know it yet but this is actually for him, to add to his 'collection' of toy cars. So, how about it barrel?]

[Here comes the sob story. He's runnin' a business guys. This shit ain't cheap. He'd have to at least go up to double the cuffs if they want all of that all together. It's steep, but Larry's not sure what the kid has up his sleeve. Are they gonna drop the car off after and go lower? Cuz that is a cool car after all.]

You'll be getting rid of three things at once. How about we pay the cuffs in full and half on the comic or whatever that is. It's just paper, pal.

[This is why Larry has fun. It's like gambling but not. And everyone's gonna win.]

[Now Freddy leans in to talk to the barrel directly.]

Tell you what, round it even.

[The total amount to a single solid even number. That takes only a little bit off the cuffs and half and half for car and comic, if the guy can do the math anyway. Good deal for everyone yeah? He'll be making most of his money on the links. Seriously how can a guy be so damn stubborn about a comic and a car? Of course, he could be a geek in disguise too.]

[Barrel gives a kid a look this way, then that way. Know what? He's gonna go for it. Since Freddy's the one who made the deal, he gives him his hand. Larry's grinning like a kid in a candy store even as he throws up his hands.]

This place. Shit. Well. Seein' as we're in this shit together I'll foot the bill. I guess.

[He will. All of it. Is Freddy having fun? Is he?]

[Freddy gives the barrel a firm shake to close the deal. He's grinning too but mostly on the inside so as not to ruin Larry's intricate charade. Oh wait, the old man's smiling, but maybe his smile is just subtly different from the goofy type the kid would be wearing. Keep it cool Newendyke. You're almost finished.]

Cool.

[Does it not occur to them the Barrel might get more ideas based on the fact that Larry's paying?? Freddy doesn't seem to mind at the moment. He's too busy flipping through his comic book again.] You gonna wear'em outta here, highroller?

[He means the links, obviously. The car on the card's gonna need a bag.]

[If the old man is paying, maybe Freddy's a kept kind of a guy. Since they came in there's been no physical contact outside of a nudge. ...Sometimes a nudge is all that it takes.]

I think I will. Want the old ones?

[They're nothing to sniff at with their shiny black surface, it looks like marble. The old cuffs don't hold anything on the gold lined tusks. Larry starts to make the change as he gives the barrel man is dough. The car is definitely bagged.]

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