BOOKSELLER.

            ^{‘  —  Ah.  I think they’re leftover from the original store owner.  His tastes were very … eclectic,  to say the least.  You’re probably the only person beside him that’s had an eye for it.  I’m almost tempted to give it away just to free up space on the shelves.  ‘}

                   ^{Words spilled out before thought could be put into them and the next moment he was ducked around the other side of the shelf.  Not that he needed to hide,  or anything  –  but he could feel himself speaking too fast and hovering too close.  Part of him worried it was noticeable to the other man scanning pages of foreign text.  Though he brought the conversation up and approached he found that it was harder to keep an even expression.} 

     ^{‘  Oh  –  you know … I close the shop around six so,  maybe seven or eight?  ‘}

                            _{———THE MAN SMILED AT THE NOTION OF A FREE SET FROM HIS FAVORITE WRITER, but instead placed the book back into its sleeve beside the others in the collection. plucking the set from the shelf, he made somewhat of a gag hauling it over to the counter where the owner no longer waited, turning to give the man a smile.}

       _{❝ that’s not necessary, i’d like to make a purchase. ❞
he knew exactly what it was like owning a storefront at the man’s age and experience. it was no laughing matter, hard hours and little pay off aside from meeting new people. eventually, the requirements of his curse turned into more of a job than a hobby, and vice versa for his profession.}

❝ consider it fate… i’m probably the only person within a hundred miles who would be interested enough in buying it. ❞
he plucked a pen from the counter top, scribbling down his name and number on the back of a card, and wedging it between two crisp fifty dollar bills. he considered that some incentive to pick a nice venue.