The Shopkeeper stood alone in the back room of his shop, alongside his various knickknacks and products he’d yet to put on the shelf. He stared at the box upon the high shelf.
The funds weren’t doing so well… yet every single time he put this product out, it was a hit! Something about it… it drew people in. And when it was used, it vanished, returning right to the box it laid in, waiting for it’s next customer.
“Are you okay?” Alexandria asked, popping her head through the door into the back room,
“Y-yes. Yes my dear,” the Shopkeeper said, letting out a sigh. He walked to the other side of the room, taking the wooden ladder and bringing it back over. He placed his foot on the first step,
“You’re getting it back out?”
“I have to pay for this shop somehow.” The shopkeeper said,
“I understand.” Alexandria replied. She respected her boss enough to know he was making the right choice, “the only reason I wouldn’t is if it really was able to hurt someone… properly.”
“It shouldn’t be able to.” The shopkeeper spoke, lifting his hand and picking up the box from the shelf. He felt it’s energy… evil energy. “I’ve told you before, I’ve made sure every item I put on shelves cannot permanently or truly damage or a harm it’s user. It’s just…” he hesitates,
“It was difficult to enchant this one.”
“Yes.” He said, smiling a little as he made his way down the ladder, “I suppose I’ve told you this story before?”
“Yeah.” Alexandria replied, “but I think you should do it.”
“Thank you, Alexandria.” The Shopkeeper got to the bottom of the ladder. He stared at the box, “you are dismissed.”
She vanished back into the store to help any current customers.
The Shopkeeper opened the box, looking inside. It’s evil stench was so prevalent to a trained nose such as his, and he hated it. The item was evil… but it couldn’t hurt anyone. Not under any circumstances… but one.
—
The shopkeeper returned to the store with the box and a label. He flicked his wrist and a pen flew to his hand. He placed the box down, and wrote on the label.
Finally, he turned the box around, placing the label beside it, and he opened the box for any customer to take it:
‘$4.50’
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒌𝒆𝒚’𝒔 𝑷𝒂𝒘