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[mnt_raph]

*He returns from the Lake, bundled up in his trench and fedora and heads for the front door.. There's a bright red scarf around the collar of the coat

Raph opens the door, only to be greeted by a cold snowy wind. He wraps the new scarf around his neck an extra time, and then bows slightly with an 'After You' motion to Andrew.*

Comments

[stilljustandrew]

*Andrew pulls his new coat tighter about himself, and heads out into the New York streets.*

[mnt_raph]

Would ya' lookit this.

*he motions to the dirty snow banks that line the sidewalks.*

Snow. It makes the city look prettier and dirtier than it actually is. Gotta love Mother Nature.

Okay so Andrew....where we headed first?

[stilljustandrew]

*Andrew puts his hands in the coat pockets. There's a metallic jingling.*

First thing is, I need to find someone who buys antique coins.

[mnt_raph]

We need to see Chet then.
*Raph smirks*
Ain't seen Chet in ages. This should be fun.

*As he walks out of the alley looking for a cab.*

Not even sure if the guys know about Chet. He's a pawn broker I been doin' business with for a damn long time. Ain't easy to live in this city with no money, you know?
Anyway, best part about Chet is he don't ask questions, and he don't got a problem payin' under the table for odd jobs.

*A Taxi arrives, Raph gives the address, and they both excape from the harsh December cold, for a few moments*

[stilljustandrew]

*In the taxi, Andrew pulls a couple of sheets of paper out of the pockets of his jeans and studies them.*

*He's a geek. Geeks always make lists.*





*Actually, what he is is a potential SMOF, but he wouldn't know the word.*

[mnt_raph]

*Raph wipes the fog off the window with the back of his hand...it only makes it harder to see outside. Then he hears the rustling of paper. He turns to watch Andrew pour over the lists.*

This a scavenger hunt?

[stilljustandrew]

Heh. Kind of. I've got a whole bunch of people I need to get presents for, and I'm still working out what to get some of them...

[mnt_raph]

*Raph scans the pages.*
Whole bunch of people huh? This looks more like the whole bar. Heh, mighta been shorter to make a list of people you're not buyin' presents for.

*to the driver*
Oh hey! Right here buddy.
*he hands money to the driver and they exit the car.

There are some places that can't be made to look pretty, even under a layer of newly fallen snow. This is one of those places. There isn't even a sign on the store front, just bars on the windows. Raph pushes open the door. It smells like dusty mothballs and sweat inside the shop. It's a shame that dust and cobwebs aren't a hot commodity, because Chet would have the market cornered.*

YO! Chet. Where you at?

"Raphael? That you? Bit early in the day for you ain't it?"

I'm switchin' things up. Got a man out here with somethin' you might be interested in.

"All right all right. Keep your pants on."

*Chet shuffles out of the back room.*

[stilljustandrew]

*Andrew's got his game face on: the unreadable GM's face that would make a professional poker player jealous. He pulls a small velvet pouch out of his coat pocket (it's a dice bag, but no one has to know that), and upends it on the shop counter.*

*Old, old coins. Mostly in tarnished silver and bronze, though a few of them gleam suspiciously bright even in the dim daylight through the dusty windows.*

What'll you offer me for these?

[mnt_raph]

*Chet stays in the shadows until he heres the familar sound of coins. Only then does he come closer. He's a short roly poly man, with only the vague notion of a hairline left. Clearly he lives in the back, because he's wearing slippers, flannel pajamas, and a cartigan.

Chet's poker face is quite good, but his eyes widen slightly, at the sight of the coins. He pulls his glasses down so they're hanging from only one ear.*

"Put'em on the counter. Lemme get a good look at what we got here."

*he waddles behind one of the glass top counters and picks up a jewelers magnifier.*

*Meanwhile, Raph stands not too far behind Andrew, arms folded*

[stilljustandrew]

*Andrew isn't quite sure what to do with his own hands, and finally settles for folding them on the countertop.*

*With an effort, he resists the temptation to steeple his fingers.*

[mnt_raph]

*Oh how Chet wants to ask where this kid's found these coins. He won't ask...he'd never ask, but you can tell he's dying to know.
He picks them up, one by one, and holds them under nearby lamp. When his inspection is done, he places them all back on a velvet cloth.*

"Fifty bucks."

*Ahh, the game has begun*

[stilljustandrew]

*Andrew snorts a little laugh, and reaches over as if to sweep all the coins back into the bag.*

Sir, you're not serious.

*to Raph* We're going.

[mnt_raph]

*Raph simply shrugs.*

You're the boss, boss.

*THIS gets Chet's attention.*

"Raph, you workin' for the kid here?"

That a problem?

"Nahh, just surprisin' is all. Thought you were more freelance."

Things change.
*He leans in closer to Chet, with a stage whisper*
look man, I'd love to catch up and shit, but the boss says we go. we go. i'll be 'round when i got some free time. we can have tea.
*there's a smirk*

*Chet gives Andrew an appraising look*

"Mighta been a bit hasty. Some of these are tarnished somethin' fierce. Get a good spot of polish on'em, they might be worth more. Lemme get a second look at'em"

*he pulls the velvet clothe closer to his side of the display top.*

[stilljustandrew]

Sir ... I'm in a hurry.

*His voice is cool, polite, and very much not his own.*

I appreciate that the haggling is customary, but could we keep it to a minimum?

[mnt_raph]

*It appears that he's looking at the coins, when it actuality he's still sizing up his customers. He places the eyepiece back on the counter top, and sighs.*

"I'm cuttin' my own throat here kid, but best I can do is Five.."

*Raph happens to catch his eye. Subtly, from behind Andrew's back, there's a gesture that more money is needed.*

"Seven..."

*The gesture continues*

"Eight.."

*just a little more Chet...*

"Eight-fifty. My final offer."

*Raph smiles.*

[stilljustandrew]

*Andrew eyes the coins, and then the grubby pawnbroker, and carefully does not smile.*

I ... think that will do.

[mnt_raph]

*Grumbling something fierce, the little man fumbles with a huge ring of keys, and then waddles over to a locked cage with a safe inside. There is a series of clicks, rattles, and swears as he opens the safe.

He waddles back and counts the money out on the counter. When the full amount has been placed on the top, he stands behind the coins and prepares to remove them only when Andrew has taken hold of the money.*

"It's all there. You watched me count it. I hope he's payin' you well Raph."

[stilljustandrew]

*Andrew smiles now, and picks up the stack of bills.*

*He's going to say it. You know he's going to say it.*

A pleasure doing business with you, sir.

*You knew he was going to say it.*

[mnt_raph]

*Chet has the eyepiece in again, and he's carefully combing over his new aquisitions.*

"Yeah kid. It's been a pleasure. A real pleasure."
*He's grinning like a kid let out of school early.*

*Raph moves aside to let Andrew go past, and then follows him as they head for the exit.*

"Good to finally see you Raphael. Was startin' to think you didn't trust me. If you're lookin' for some extra work, drop on by."

Yeah, I just might do that. Keep your nose clean, Chet.

*Raph opens the door for Andrew, and then closes it after they've both exited.*

[stilljustandrew]

*Outside, Andrew quickly stuffs the wad of cash into his jeans pocket, and then consults his list.*

Okay, first things first, I promised a couple of people some favors...

I need a video store, and a place where I can buy a teaset.

[mnt_raph]

Video store. Check.
Um...what kind of tea set we talkin'bout here?

*They walk towards a nearby cab stand. Raph whistles at one of the oncoming yellow monsters. When it pulls over he opens the door for Andrew*

An' for the record, that was awesome.

[stilljustandrew]

Uh, something that'll travel well. But pretty. Kettle, pot, cups, the whole deal. In blue.

*He consults the list. This one's not in his handwriting.*

Also, a small portable camping stove, and several sets of high-quality tea ... It's for Dream, to give to Moiraine. So she can take it back to her world. Tea's hard to get there.

*He grins a bit, happily embarrassed by the compliment.*

You think so?

[mnt_raph]

*Raph scratches his head.*

Maybe somethin' Asian? Only because the cups don't have little handles on them. Oh I got it. There's this resturant supply store in China town. We could try there.


Oh I know so. Chet ain't a bad guy, but sometimes it's like gettin' blood from a stone.

*The cab weaves through traffic taking them to China town and the Chang Import Resturant Supply.*

[stilljustandrew]

*Andrew peers out the window interestedly as they enter Chinatown, then grins back at Raph.*

I was doing the voice of a guy from a D&D campaign I ran once. Town magistrate.

I don't think it would've worked if you hadn't played along.

*He chuckles.*

"Boss." That threw him.