Mallside 9: Waaagh!

[ThirdEmperor]

[Small Wonders]

"Do you see a price tag on it?" He works neat and efficient despite his trembling hands, folding the box into a wrapper of waxy brown paper and binding it with a black ribbon, hunching down to use his teeth as he ties it up in a bow. "Most people need one, afraid of getting something for nothing. But they'll take a deal. They'll take a deal so cheap it seems like robbery because people want to win one over on the mean old man. Everybody wants to be clever."

"But for the genuinely clever? For those in on the joke, no charge." He threads the key through the bow, and pushes it towards the girl. "Just don't be the one to open it."