Well, Miz Breen, I don't rightly know what t'tell you b'out these. I
know ya said they come from It'ly and that they're really old but, as to their value here, well, not much hope I can give ya there. I think you maybe oughtta show 'em to someone who might actually know what they are(or for that matter, care, he thought) an' maybe they can help ya."

"But, Mister Krelba, Steve, I mean, Grammy said you'd be able to help. She says you're the expert on finding homes for all of the wayward belongings of the world. I mean, where else would one go to part with treasures such as these around here?" Christine was clearly getting a bit flustered at this point.

"She said You'd be able to help. Besides, if I don't raise enough money soon...I shouldn't be telling you this, then I'm none too certain what'll happen when Sanduccia gets back to town!"

Krelba's calm buckled perceptibly at the mention of Sanduccia. he'd been exceedingly polite and tolerant with Christine Breen up to this point, mainly because she looked so good. This charming demeanor in him was as much a shock to Krelba himself as it surely would've been to any of his usual visitors. The nicest thing anyone ever had said about Krelba was that he was "difficult". In most cases, words like "bastard" or 'pig-headed" or perhaps "pain-in-the-ass" would be far more likely to appear in the testimonials of those who knew him.

"Look, Miz Breen..."

"Please, call me Christine Mr.Krel- uh, Steve..."

"Look, I said, there just isn't any way I'm gonna be able to get you
that kinda money outta these....things. For all I know, they could be damn well worthless. I'm sorry about your problem with that freak Sanduccia, but t'tellya the truth I ain't havin' anything to do with anybody who's got anything to do with him! Is that clear enough for you? Now I'm afraid I've got more pressing matters at the moment so, if you'll 'scuse me..."

"Oh, never mind! I'll just have to find some other way! Just give them back to me and I'll go. And if that twisted monkey Nick shows up here, don't let him know I was ever here! Can you at least do that for me?"

"Ummm, sure uh Christine. I'm really sorry I couldn't help you." he said looking away from her now. Damn! If she wasn't so good to look at he'd have sent her packing a lot sooner; maybe even before the name Sanduccia had come up. When was he going to learn? "Listen, why don't you leave me your number? I may be able to come up with some kinda alternative."

Christine look puzzled for an instant, then, regaining her composure, blurted out while choking back a tear, "No can do, pal! Telephones always seem to complicate things. I'll maybe check back with you if I don't get anywhere. But, don't hold your breath! I've gotta go now." she said while returning the six mysterious objects to their cloth wrappings. "I'm late enough as it is! Goodbye!"

"Yeah, okay, then....Maybe if-"

"I said, goodbye!" and in two steps, she was out the door and onto the sidewalk in front of the shop. Walking with her chin to her chest while stuffing the cloth bundles into her bag, so that the bag's strap was captive aginst her collarbone, she stepped rapidly without looking ahead, promptly colliding with another high speed pedestrian, a tall dark haired woman trying to carry too many bags.

"Shit! Oh, I uh..Damn! I didn't see you" she sputtered without yet
looking up to see with whom she'd crashed. The dark haired woman was on her knees trying to regather all her packages and hadn't looked at her inadvertant assailant's face.

"Christine! It's you! what the Hell's the rush? Are you okay?"

"Lor, for god's sake, what are you doing back in town?" It suddenly occurred to Christine that this little encounter was fortuitous indeed. I'm so-o-o sorry I crashed into you like that! Here, let me help you with those..."

"I've got 'em myself, Christine. Just give me that! I've got to go, I'm
late." Lori thought to herself as she stood again "What the hell can
this mean?"

"Yeah, I'm late too. How about if I give you a call later? Solly's gonna be pissed I was gone so long anyway'" Christine purred.

"Uh, well..yeah, I Guess that'd be okay. But, yeah, okay then, give me a call soon. I'm stayin' at Pigboy's on Milwaukee while he's out of the country., I'm takin' care of that damned menagerie of his again."

"Okay. I've still got the number from last time." Christine watched as Lori sprinted off across Devon while dodging the traffic. "Well, I don't guess I better tell Solly about THIS little development either..."