The pawnshop could be thought of as the world's oldest financial institution. It could be traced to ancient China, when merchants would hold collateral and heirlooms in exchange for rice. It wasn't really the sort of thing Hector liked to get as payment, but what the heck were you gonna do? It was cheaper than potatoes, and besides, he needed some change every once in a while.

At the moment though, the matter at hand didn't exactly concern his culinary habits...

"I know what you're thinking. 'Did he fire six shots or only five?' Well, to tell you the truth, in all this excitement I kind of lost track myself. But being as this is a .44 Magnum, the most powerful handgun in the world, and would blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question: Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya, punk?"

The pale blue light of the flickering TV screen caressed Hectors craggy face as he reclined in his favourite armchair. It'd been a slow night by anyone's standards, and he'd probably have closed up the shop hours ago if old Harry hadn't popped by. It was simple entertainment. Cheap one-liners with a see-through plot, but right now he didn't really give a damn. Simple entertainment for simple people. Everyone liked running it simple every once in a while, and God knew he wasn't an exception...

OoC: I'm not really sure where I wanna go with this thread. I just felt the need to introduce my charrie, is all. Do with him as you will, but please ask before you bite... (: Consider this my way of saying hello.

Pawnshops had long since become both a source of income, and a source of fairly decent products for prices usually lower than retail store. Not all of them were useful, granted. But, every now-and-again Aislinn found something useful. Be it random odds and ends she could put to good use in art, or clothes for Erlina, anything could be useful in someway.

Lately, Aislinn had been putting more money into retail stores - Target and Wal*Mart in particular - and hadn’t done much pawn-shopping. And, as she was walking home late, ye again, she was surprised to notice what seemed to be a new shop - or maybe just one I over looked?

She checked her watch… nearly eleven now, the street lamps had been glowing for several hours. All the mom’n’pop shops were long since closed, as with every other pawn shop she knew about.

As she tucked a stray strand of mousy brown hair behind her ear, Aislinn paused to study the interior through the brightly lit windows. There was the usual jewelry, or so it seemed from where she stood. Maybe she could get a better price on some of the things she still had left from her richer days?

Worth a try, she thought, and pushed at the front door. She was actually surprised when it gave-way, allowing her entrance.

Odd that a shop was still open so late, but nothing really wrong with it.

She made her way around the shop quietly, doing her damndest to avoid attracting attention. She was here to look around, shop a little, but not to buy.

Or sell, for that matter.