"I beg your pardon, sir, but can you help me?" he asks when you pass near.
"What is the matter?" you ask.
"You see," the young man says mournfully, "I've been in the city doing business for my father in the country, and due to rotten luck, I've seen misfortune upon misfortune. Now I've been kicked out my boardinghouse, with ne'er a cent to my name. Father will be so disappointed at my failure."
"I'm sorry to hear about your predicament," you say.
"Say, there is one thing I have left," he says, producing a gold watch from his pocket. "Here's a pure gold watch, a family heirloom. I wouldn't think of letting it out of my sight, but I've barely eaten, and I need the fare to get home. Perhaps I can convince you to buy it from me? I'll sell it to you cheaply, only fifteen dollars, a good quarter of its price."
You'd like to help anyone in trouble, but you're unsure if it's genuine. You look at the watch, which shines gold in the sunlight. The man senses your hesitation and points to a jeweler's store down the block.
"If you're unsure, we can go to a jeweler's and get the watch appraised," he says cheerfully. "They'll tell you sixty dollars at least."
This is a swindle if I've ever seen one. Call him on it.
I feel sorry for him, but that watch isn't worth much. Talk him down to $10.
I'm familiar enough with showmanship to know he's overacting. Challenge him.
Next
YOU ARE READING
Viktor
FantasyFight your way to box office glory, while fending off the gangs of New York! Manage a theatre in a game of high-stakes business, dangerous romance, and risky alliances set in the rough-and-tumble world of 19th century New York. You'll brave riots, f...
