Mr. Perkins set up his Antique booth the same way he did at every show. Knickknacks were on the top counter, valuables in the glass case, and a few very impressive (and not for sale) items in a stand alone display. He had left his assistant in charge of the booth and made his rounds to the different dealers, partly to catch up with old friends and partly to do business. These shows were half the reason Perkins was in the business, he enjoyed them so much.
His assistant Carole however, was not into antiques, and for her it was a very boring affair. She leaned back in her chair and pulled out a book and began to read. “Excuse me miss”, came a rather chilling voice. Carole jumped a little and looked up from her book to see an old woman, although ancient might have been a better description. She had an uncanny look about her. Two very keen, piercing eyes stared out from her pale wrinkled faced. They were the only sign of life in her withered face.
“Can I… errr… help you?” Carole tried to say cheerfully.
“Yes deary,” she replied in that same cold creaky voice. “That item in that case over there.” She pointed to the case with the amulet. “I’d like to see it.”
“I’m afraid some of those items are for display only, I don’t remember which ones. I couldn’t possibly open the case until my boss gets back.” Carole said, trying to smile.
“Nonsense, you’re a grown woman you can do what you want.” Came a rather forceful reply.
“If you’ll only wait a few minutes I’m sure he’ll be back.” Carole was getting nervous.
“When you get to be my age you don’t always know if you’ve got a few minutes. I’m not a vagrant, I’m an archeologist.” Her voice quivered a little but her eyes remained glued to Carole in an unrelenting stare.
Carole didn’t know what to do, this woman was persistent. Eventually, as is usually the case with the elderly, the older woman got her way. Carole opened the case. The elderly woman gingerly wrapped her fingers around ancient talisman and held it as if it were a child.
“Yes…” her eyes lit up. “At last…”
Carole was growing even more suspicious. “Ma’m I think I’m going to need…” But she was interrupted. A voice shouted “FIRE” and there was smoke and mass confusion. Carole turned to see what was going on and when she turned back the old lady had disappeared into the fray. When everything had calmed down it turned out that a smoke bomb had been thrown under a table. “I’m so getting fired…” Carole thought.