She traced long, slender fingers gently over the ancient keyboard. Her green eyes sparkled with the delight of discovery. Raising up on tiptoe, she lifted the top of the old upright piano to inspect the strings and hammers inside. Gently setting the lid back down, she turned to the stern shopkeeper and inquired offhandedly in her sweet alto voice, "How much are you asking for this old thing?" She waved vaguely toward the piano behind her.
His dark eyes under greasy black hair took in her slender 5'3" frame and flaming red hair in a long braid hanging over one shoulder, contrasting beautifully with the rich green linen jacket she wore over a beige shell and matching green skirt.
"Three thousand dollars," he finally stated.
"I'll give you twenty-five hundred," she countered. "Cash."