After his cappuccino, Aidan visits a neighborhood hardware store. There is an image in his mind. He wants to it make real. Aidan wanders narrow aisles hung with shiny door knobs and brass hinges. He passes cubbies filled with nails, screws and washers. Even the large tattooed men, who normally puff up like bullfrogs and try to fill the aisle with testosterone, retreat when they see Aidan. He buys some chains, random fastenings and a welding gun.
On the way home, he spots a dark doorway. “Mike's Corner Pawn Shop Cash Fast! Gold, Jewelry, Guns and Watches. Get Top Dollar Here!" A stairway leads down below the street, ending at a weathered wood framed glass door. The glass has been sloppily coated with burgundy paint. “Mike's" is scrawled in gold glitter on the door. The glitter has dripp
