Housing

Walking back from Famous Foods I saw these birdhouses outside the second-hand store on the south side of the 1300 block of Kingsway. While taking their picture the proprietor came out and asked me which one I wanted. Before I could answer she said, "Both, right?" And before I could answer that she asked again and I pointed to the saloon.

"Eight dollars," she said.

I asked about the other one.

"Five dollars," she said. "Less work."

A beat.

"I give you both for fourteen dollars."

Another beat.

"How much is [the saloon] again?"

"Nine dollars."

"Will you take eight?"

"Eight-fifty."

"I'll give you eight."

She laughs. "Okay, eight!"