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Down in the Dirt, v149
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How Much?

Mary Kaye Valdez

    Brooklyn, a slim, blonde haired lady found herself in a state of disbelief, as she compared the image displayed on her phone to the one hung on the wall. She had been searching around for hours, only to have finally found it in a small store called K&A Company in Old Chinatown.
    A short statured saleslady casually approaches her near the corner of the store where the wall of paintings were hung, looking rather impatient as she awaits her to finally buy or request something.
    “Hi. How much is that one?” the lady finally points at the painting in the middle, “The one with the Great Wall of China on it.”
    “Forty-five.” responded the saleslady.
    “That’s forty-five dollars?”
    “Yes.”
    “For that? That’s... That’s way more than I thought...”
    “Oh,” the saleslady began to point at the different paintings, “there are other paintings. Cheaper.”
    “No, my boyfriend wants this one specifically. Can you lower the price?”
    “No, final price. Forty-five final price.”
    “How about thirty dollars? ”
    “No, too low. Forty-five final price.”
    “Forty-five is too high. Why can’t it be lower?”
    “This painting is very liked. Very famous. Many people like it. I can’t give thirty. Too low.”
    “Seriously? Fine. Do you know if it’s possible to get this anywhere else? Like in a different store, but lower price?”
    “No, I don’t think so. Only here.” the saleslady began to point at another painting, a particularly cheaper one, “But this one is thirty dollars. It’s pretty too. Your boyfriend might like it.”
    “No, it has to be this one. I don’t think he’ll be fully happy with any other painting but this one specifically. He’s been talking about it all the time.”
    “Oh, I see.”
    “Yeah, but I really can’t pay forty-five dollars for this.”
    The sales lady is quiet for a while, as she takes note of Brooklyn’s rather impressive appearance as it greatly contrasted with her surroundings. From her diamond earrings to her expensive coat, and to her Prada bag, she was definitely the last person who should start bargaining in a place like this.
    “Do you not have enough money? How much do you have in your... Prada bag?”
    “No... I have enough money... but I wanted to use the rest for something I want. Spending forty-five dollars now isn’t going to leave me with much after, you know?” Brooklyn lowers her gaze for a while on the floor, deep in thought, “How about thirty-five dollars? Is that a better price?”
    “No. I can’t give you a lower price.” sighed the saleslady, as she shook her head in disagreement, growing tired of the customer.
    “Oh come on!” blurted Brooklyn in frustration, “This is so difficult! Why does he even want this painting? Why the Great Wall of China? And why this specific one? There are several other versions of it for a lower price.”
    “Is it a birthday present? Why are you getting it for him?”
    “No. I wanted to make it up to him because he’s mad at me. But still, this is too much. I need to buy what I want too.”
    “What do you want to buy? Is it important?”
    “It’s... It’s just something I want to buy.”
    “Is it more important than him?”
    “O-Of course... not. It’s just that this paint—.”
    “Do you love him?”
    “Excuse me? Of course, I— You’re just a saleslady, it’s none of your business. You don’t have the right to be asking me these questions. Mostly, when you can’t even allow me to buy this stupid painting for a lower price.”
    “If it’s stupid then don’t buy it.”
    “Yeah, but I need to get it for him! I just don’t get why it has to be forty-five dollars!”
    “It’s forty-five dollars or no painting at all. Can’t be lower. If you can’t pay the full price, then don’t buy it. Your boyfriend should understand. Yes? Your love should be enough, right?”
    Brooklyn is left speechless, as her head lowers to the ground in embarrassment. Nervously, her fingers gripped onto the strap of her bag, as she tried to collect herself. She then takes one last deep breath and returns back to her dominant posture after reaching a conclusion.
    “Give me the stupid forty-five dollar painting.”



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