Finally, Callahan got off the train – one station before his destination.  He knew the area well and given that it was only a few miles from home.  He could easily walk that distance.  But then again there was no hurry to go home and break the news of his failure to his family.  He decided to camp out that night and go home the following morning.  This slight change of plans necessitated that he find something to eat.  He checked his pockets; there were only a couple of wrinkled singles plus a handful of change.  Not even close to what he what he would need to satisfy his hunger, something else had to be done.  Callahan dug deep into one of his backpacks and pulled out his binoculars.  He remembered how he had retrieved them from the observatory in Germany and the thought caused a bit of hesitance.  However, his growling stomach soon prevailed and a determined Callahan marched towards the area’s local pawnshop.

He hadn’t been there in years and thus was not surprised that he didn’t know the clerk, a balding man with a slick moustache.  Callahan placed his binoculars on the counter and motioned to the clerk.  The clerk picked them up and examined them.

“Do you have a receipt for this?”

“No.”

“Is it stolen?”

“Hell, no.”

The clerk scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed it to Callahan.  “On this piece of paper I’ve written how much I’m willing to offer you.”

Callahan stared at the figure and then back at the clerk.  He wrote something next to the figure and handed the piece of paper back to the clerk.  “On this same piece of paper I’ve written what I think you can do with your offer.”  Callahan slammed the door shut on his way out.