From Zahara M's profile:
how short is your shortest story? this ones called The Trader.
To Vlasov everything was saleable, literally everything. Buy low, sell high, was his maxim passed down from his father before him. It was in the blood.
Price – can you imagine a person who always thinks in terms of price. You offer him a cigarette – “how much, where did you get it, I can get you cheaper.”
I became so irritated with him I began... mehr anzeigen
From Zahara M's profile:
how short is your shortest story? this ones called The Trader.
To Vlasov everything was saleable, literally everything. Buy low, sell high, was his maxim passed down from his father before him. It was in the blood.
Price – can you imagine a person who always thinks in terms of price. You offer him a cigarette – “how much, where did you get it, I can get you cheaper.”
I became so irritated with him I began to think of things to offer him that didn’t have a price.
One day I said to Vlasov,
“How would you sell the ocean?”
He stopped moving for a minute and said,
“I already do, I have beach front apartments – it’s the ocean I’m selling.”
“The sky then,” I said shifting tack.
“They have lovely views,” he replied, “and so do my other properties.”
I gave up, perhaps he was right. Everything and everyone had a price.
Then Vlasov was shot, badly, he was critical. Some feud between people like him, over drugs or something. I went to see him in the hospital. He looked awful – pale, drawn.
“It’s his spirit,” said the doctor, “He seems down. Perhaps you could cheer him up.” What can you say to someone who is as rich as Vlasov? As I approached him I had an idea. He was not allowed a mobile – all hospitals were like this, but as I got to his bedside I took out my phone.
“Vlasov,” I addressed him, “I need a new mobile; could you get me a deal on a new one?”
He turned towards me and opened his eyes.
“Dial this number.”
I followed his instructions. When it rang, I handed him the phone. His eyes were brighter.
“Boris? Da,.. phones, what do you have? His words bounced between Boris and I, “What kind did I want? How much?” He beat Boris down mercilessly. He hung up.
“Boris will drop it off to me here tomorrow. Have the money ready – cash.”
After that he went from strength to strength and was out in a month.
One day we were talking.
“Ivan”, he said I’ve noticed you still use your old phone. When I was in hospital you didn’t really need the new one, did you?
I shook my head.
“I can sell the new one for you, no problem, ok? he said, pulling out his own phone,
“Grigor, I have a phone, good one.”
wildgoose
This is the best short story I have ever read in my entire life! I laughed so hard! This is awesome. P.S. I have no problem with you posting on my profile, this is awesome!
Yeah I'm just kidding.
MMm