Another day, another dollar. Not for me today. I lost my job yesterday after listening to my ex-boss barking in my ears, like a old bulldog, just because I didn't charge that old lady for fixing her house's heater. I couldn't charge her, on a fixed income, and only her little chihuahua as companion. It was too depression staying in my 1 bedroom apartment, starring at ceiling, so I decided to go for a walk, and who know, find a new job.
I was walking in a random on the streets, passing by buildings, people, cars, until I saw a shop that caught my attention, not that a pawn shop was a novelty or anything, but I don't recall seeing any pawn shop that offers free coffee and Wi-Fi for paying customers. Who would stay in a pawn shop after paying or leaving their goods?, I thought. That made me curious enough to step in the store, even though I didn't have any money or valuable to pawn.
As I walked in, the store looks more like a bar with neon lights and expensive bottles on the wall, the only difference is that the base of the bar was made of glass, and shelves filled with pawned merchandises. There was a table with couple of chairs, and Wi-Fi sign under it. On the other side of the store looks like mad scientist's lab with all kind of instruments, and lots of books. I decided to check the book selection while I was there and spend some time. Suddenly I heard a deep baritone voice saying, "What can I help you today?", it startled me, I turned was face to face with a men in his fifties, smiling behind the bar's counter.
It took me several seconds to recompose myself before answering him, "I'm just checking your books, interesting variety of how to's", I said. Then we started to chat friendly like we knew each other for years, I told him that I'm jack of all trades, doing everything that needed, and was looking for job, but ended up wondering around the city. He smiled again, and I noticed he has a golden tooth, quite intriguing.
Our conversation was interrupted by a frantic men running into the store, he wanted to buy a professional photographer's camera. The good pawnbroker showed him many of them, the deer in the headline look made him ask the poor man why he wanted a camera. The man explained that he was going to get married tomorrow, the wedding photographer just called him saying that she wouldn't make it because she got chickenpox from her kids, and he decided to buy a camera to take pictures himself.
Pawnbroker patted the man's back and told him, "I just happen to have a professional photographer here", and he pointed at me to my surprise, "write down the address and time of the wedding and he'll be there tomorrow. We'll set the fees afterward, if that's fine for you." The groom-to-be was so relieved that he agreed without a blink, and left the store happily thanking us profusely.
"What in the world?!" I exclaimed. I got you a job that you're looking for, he said, by the way, my name is Stefan. I'll be your agent, I'll rent you the equipment to do the work, and you can pay me afterwards.
"But I don't know how to use professional camera!", I explained.
"Don't worry, I got you covered. Take home this camera and the how to book for photography, read and practice tonight, and you'll be a pro tomorrow. And don't forget take the address with you.", replied Stefan.
Taken by surprise, I agreed, and was rushed out of pawn shop with a camera, a book, and address....
to be continued....
