$1.68

Today, while I was cutting back up through the very same park as yesterday, extending the scope of the treasure hunt I’ve been participating in for the last couple of weeks, just as I passed by the statue of Etienne Cartier, looking down from the high ground, I spotted two drug dealers just as they spotted me.  At the very instant I was espied they both began to scramble up the hill toward me, one running a block on the other like I was the end zone at the Grey Cup.  The other one pushed the first one back, trying to pitch him sideways into the bushes.

I waved my hands outward as they approached, utilizing the international gesture for “I don’t want to buy your narcotics, thank you”.  They both let up, laughing, and went back to sit on the statue and look miserable in the mellow fruitfulness of the afternoon.

Do I look like I wanna buy drugs that fucking bad?  Because I’m really not interested.

I went to the post office and tried to mail a letter.  I asked for one stamp and then, as the guy was pasting it on my envelope, I realised that I didn’t have enough change.

Will you take interac?  I asked, flashing my big time bank card.

It’s 61 cents, he said, and gave me a dirty look.  I looked around his store for more things I could buy in order to make my consumer transaction more worthy.  I couldn't find anything than I didn’t already have or that I thought I wanted.  Finally I settled on a chocolate bar.  $1.68.  Take that interac.