______ sold the wedding ring for $40 and was later
disappointed it didn’t go further in getting ___ drunk. The pawnbroker acted
bored and barely even looked at the ring, handing it off to his underpaid
lackey, a sallow-eyed and slightly punch-drunk brunette, to weigh it. ____
tried to meet the lackey’s gaze, mentally asking her to put her finger on the
scale. It was clear when she brought the ring back that she didn’t. The pawnbroker
spit out his offer and added, “I can give you a deal on a .38. There’s a waiting
period, though.” The last part was almost sympathetic. Naturally ____ refused the gun and pocketed
the cash, hoping the punch-drunk lackey found a way to pocket the ring. Or the
.38