It's in the Bag (working title)
an excerpt

Mr. Mathers was engaged in a business transaction when Shanna walked into the pawnshop. A mulletted man in his fifties was haggling over the pawn value of a black and white, 13-inch television.

“But I paid two hundred dollars for it.”

“And when was that? 1972?”

“Seventy-four, but there’s been inflation.”

“What?”

“Inflation. Two hundred dollars back then is like three or four hundred now.”

“Are you insane?”

“No way, man. Inflation. It’s economical. This TV is worth at least three hundred dollars.”

Mathers looked over to Shanna. “I’ll be with you in a minute.” Then back to the mullet man. “Have you ever heard of depreciation? This set is worth next to nothing. I’m offering you eight bucks because I think you’re a swell guy.”

“Depreciation my foot. This is a genuine Kolvox television. They don’t even make these anymore.”

“They don’t,” Mathers deadpanned. “I’m shocked.”

“This is vintage, man. Retro, a real collector’s item. You’re going to make a killing selling this. I can’t have you stealing it off me for eight stinking bucks, man.”

“Then maybe you should take it to the Antique Roadshow. I couldn’t sell this thing for five dollars even if I taped a ten dollar bill to the screen. Now this is your last chance. Eight bucks or get out of here.”

Mullet man struggled with the choice for a moment, then threw his hands up in surrender. “Fine, man, but your forcing me to seriously compromise my principles here.”

Mathers gave mullet man the money. He thrust the cash in his pocket and made for the door. As he got to Shanna he said, “Can you believe that? I can’t even get two boxes of cold medicine with eight bucks.”

Then he was gone.