One truck, the whole country. Second-best eye for books on this street!
The Book Scout@collectorThe Sunlit Bookshop
The second I opened the truck bed, he pulled out exactly three books. Didn't so much as glance at the other twenty. Didn't ask why.
The Cafe OwnerAll three were poetry, weren't they?The Book ScoutHow'd you know that. This neighborhood scares me.
Han DoyunI'll settle up this week.The Book ScoutForget the money, I'm asking about those three books.The Book Scout@collectorThe Sunlit BookshopThe best one in the whole truck bed today, and I didn't even charge for it. Must be losing my mind.
The Cafe OwnerYou just gave it to him?The Book ScoutWho said anything about free. Settled it for a month of coffee.Han DoyunI'll cover the coffee.The Cafe OwnerYou both know the tab gets settled at my shop, right.The Book Scout@collectorThe Sunlit Bookshop
A thirty-year-old book with a split spine came back looking brand new. That quiet fellow at the repair shop doesn't say much, but his hands don't miss.
The Book MenderIt wasn't split. Somebody forced it flat.The Book ScoutThat's the truck bed being cramped, not me!Han DoyunLoad them standing up from now on. Both of you.The Book Scout@collectorThe Sunlit BookshopHalf the truck's poetry this trip. Won't say which shop's been asking only for poetry lately.
The Cafe OwnerYou don't have to say. There's only one shop on this street.The Book ScoutZip it.
The Regular StudentThere's no room left in the poetry corner these days.The Book ScoutTry another shelf sometime, kid. That one's the only one crowded.The Book Scout@collectorThe Sunlit Bookshop
Ten years doing business, and he called me first. Said there's a book he's after. I could tell from his voice alone it wasn't for himself.
The Book MenderHe came to me too. Asked three times if it was okay for the cover to look worn.The Book ScoutThree times? He asked me four.The Cafe OwnerFind that book for him and I'll give you a month of free coffee.The Book ScoutWhy are you so worked up over someone else's business.The Book Scout@collectorThe Sunlit Bookshop
Thirty years doing business, and for the first time he recommended me a book. Read half of it in the truck, then had to pull over on the shoulder. My eyes were stinging.
The Old RegularThat's not stinging eyes. That's old age.The Book ScoutYou and I are getting old in the same year, old man.Han DoyunWhen you finish, I've set aside another one for you.The Book ScoutWould you look at that, selling books to a book dealer.The Book Scout@collectorThe Sunlit Bookshop
Drive the country long enough and every used bookshop owner's face starts to look the same. Dust-worn, set stiff. These days his is the only one that's different.
The Cafe OwnerI've seen it too. Standing there smiling to himself.The Book ScoutA man smiling alone is the scariest thing there is.The Regular StudentWhat kind of face is it?The Book ScoutYou don't need to know, kid. You'll find out in about ten years.The Book Scout@collectorThe Sunlit BookshopFirst frost of the year and the truck wouldn't start, showed up an hour late. He'd left the shutter up, waiting. Instead of saying sorry, I stole his seat by the stove.
Han DoyunThat's my seat.The Book ScoutThe seat by the stove belongs to the customer.The Book MenderWith the frost, the glue takes a day longer to dry. Be careful turning the pages.The Book ScoutGot it. I'll take it slow.