Payment

Jacob entered the small shop of the fortune reader and waited for them to come out of the back in response to the little bell ringing; he stood, uncomfortable, near the register (listening for footsteps). "May I help you?" came the voice (directly in front of him without the precursor of footsteps, which was extremely unsettling). "H-here," Jacob stammered. "I owe you payment ... you know, for your only-pay-me-if-I'm-right thing. I'm not sure you if remember me, but I was the one asking about the prospective partner everyone was calling 'materialistic'." "I remember," came the response. "I still don't think it's a crime to want a better life," Jacob added, "but if that's the only thing you want ... " "Then it's a problem," the reader interjected. "Beware the person who cares more about the carpet than the heart attack as you fall." They took the money, not counting it. "I suppose I should thank you for the warning," Jacob added, his face tired and sad. "You don't have to thank me for the truth," they responded softly and with compassion.