I didn't know that people spoke like that anymore. Pleasant surprise.

"No mister, just Picker. I have something that I think you may like. Help yourself."

Leticia opened the bag, reached in and removed the doll. She unwrapped the white tissue paper and held the Kewpie up, turning her this way and that. She grew a huge smile and said, "Isn't she lovely. Haven't seen one of these little girls in quite sometime. How much?"

"One time offer, three grand, cash." Our business is a funny one. Everyone, no matter what side you are on, buyer or seller, is expected to haggle. I, on the other hand, can be a bit quirky now and then. I get it in my mind that I want a certain price for something and that is my bottom line. My phrasing and tone told her that this was one of those times.

Leticia took a moment to consider my proposition. A doll like this doesn't come along everyday and I certainly left her plenty of room to make a profit. Now what she had to think about was whether I was serious or just blowing smoke up her skirt. She came to a quick decision and concluded that I was serious.

She stuck out her hand to shake on it and said, "Deal, but it will take me five minutes to put the money together."

"No problem, I'll grab a cup of coffee."

I went down to the lower level where they had a food concession. Bought a cup of black coffee and settled in to wait for the money. You quickly learn that five minutes is never just five minutes.

Sipping the coffee I started to think. First, I was having a decent day. Don't get the wrong idea, not every day is this lucrative. I was on something of a hot streak. On top of that, if I kept up this pace I would burn out in less than a month. The other things that crossed my mind were how did I end up in a dumpster in New York and where in the name of God was Uncle Moe. I hadn't seen him all day.

Leticia showed up twenty minutes later, handed me a white, #10 envelope and said it was a pleasure doing business with me.