Bored

Think I'll take a walk and search for loose change, lost coins. I'm bored.

If you're out there and see me at a slow amble flip out your pocket change and watch me dive for it. Might be fun.

I'm weird that way....

Stephen

Hey Man

Late this afternoon the bell rang. I looked out, sighed and went ahead and released the lock. A scruffy urban camper walked inside with his gear which consisted of four or five brown plastic grocery bags.

Without preamble I get this, "Hey hey hey, hey man the word is you be buy coins and stuff, you know like these here collectable coins and hey hey hey, hey man, the word is you pay good. Hey man, check it out."

He reaches over and offers a desk plaque. Its two thick pieces of clear plastic with a fake wood backing which sandwiched two uncirculated coins, a single 1971 Eisenhower dollar and a penny. The sign read John Tunney and was from a local small bank.

I glanced at the piece and asked, "What's your price?"  Always, always, make them reveal their price. Big smile, then, "Hey hey hey, hey man, listen here. That's a real silver coin. A dollar man, hey hey, how's about twenty dollars?"

Me, "No."

"Hey hey hey, hey man what the hells wrong with you? This is silver man, pure silver. They quit making these here silver coins in 1975. Don't you know nothing man...I mean hey hey hey, hey man the word is you a good  man that pays good money, hey hey come on man."

It's important to understand I felt sorry for the fella. He lives a hard life. I'm sure his nest was in the park just across the street from my shop. Hand to mouth existence. Life is indeed difficult for this man even under the best of conditions. Yet, I am a business man. On pure silver I pay twenty percent of spot. Ninety percent currency I pay half of melt value. Fair. If you do not like my offer, it's simple, take your property and walk. 

I took my cell and flipped it around and as he tried to read I explained the difference in silver content of U. S. currency. I pointed to the screen and said, "See, it contains forty percent silver and at current spot its melt value is just a bit over seven dollars. The penny is worth a penny. My offer is four dollars and you can keep the penny."

He took a quick step back and as before, "Hey hey hey, hey man this is bullsh*t and you're ripping me off man, hey hey, hey man, come on give me my twenty dollars."

As most of my friends will testify I'm a very patient and semi-quiet man. It takes a lot to tick me off. I also believe I'm a fair person willing to give most a break. I offer straight deals. It was the words, ripoff and my money, which set my meter to zero. I came around and put my face very close to his and said, "Get out."

I said it very calmly. Did not raise my voice nor hands.

He lowered his head and mumbled, "Sorry man, hey hey hey, hey man, really I'm sorry. It's just I need cash man."

I backed off. Reached in my pocket and peeled off four dollars and placed the cash and his coins back into his hands. I remained silent and pointed at the door.

He left.

There but for the grace of our Lord..... 


Stephen

Bits & Pieces

My friend, Duke, has written a very thought provoking piece this morning. Sally forth and read, then get your skinny butts back here. We Are Headed, part one.

*****

Worked my tail off yesterday. I hit the lawn at 0900 and afterwards, as I dripped sweat, showered and changed and began to run errands. When night fell I was one tired puppy. Then, I cooked dinner. It's nice to be back at 'work.'

*****

Guy walks into my shop this morning and hands me a coin. Its a 100 Italian lira minted in 1965. Said, "Here 'ya go, Stephen. I know you have a thing about silver."

I smiled and said, "Thanks." And, I meant it. Nice guy.

"What 'ya think about it?" I'm pretending to give the coin close scrutiny. "Its great, Bubba, but it isn't silver."

His smile slowly fades.  Then, "What the hell do you mean, its not silver."

"Bubba, I'm sorry. Its a fine gift and I deeply appreciate the thought but it isn't silver. Now, if it were a 500 lira coin then it indeed would contain ninety percent silver."

"Well, kiss my butt. You sure."

I smiled and said, "Yes."

He reached and took back the coin, flipped it a couple of times, then took a long hard look at it. "Then tell me, Mister Know-it-all, what's it made of?"

I placed my magazine on the counter and said, "Stainless Steel."

He gently put the coin back into my hand and turned and walked over and took a seat. Then, "Well I'll be a monkey's uncle. I didn't even know they made stainless steel back in those days."

Kids.

*****

I've had to make a few changes to my linked blogs. If you'll take a moment and glace at my right sidebar under 'My Blog List' you'll notice I've had to delete a few old friends. Two or three just quit blogging. One went private and since I wasn't invited to read their blog I ditched it. One or two hadn't written in over five months, so sadly, they too are gone.

I did find a couple of old friends that had switched from Blogger to WordPress, they've been updated with new links.

This isn't personal. If you feel I've mistakenly removed your blog from my list, drop me a line and I'll make corrections.

*****

Hey, when you have the time today drop by my friend, That Guy's, blog and give him a read. He's a nice man.  Spread the kindness.

*****

Just for Little Bit.
I miss you, Sweetheart. It's been one month and three weeks since I've held you in my arms. I pray for you every day. Be at peace.

*****

Hey, duty calls. It's once again time for me to be an evil Capitalist and make a few dollars. My coffee maker needs to be cleaned too....

Until then.

Stephen