Not quite...

It resembled one to be sure.

Hefting the brass, I took note of it's weight as well as peculiar markings along it's length.. It only seemed to be around four and a half inches long when folded down, and roughly double that when opened. But one thing that was very different.. There were a number of tabs set partway down the spyglass - when I pulled on them, different small lenses (Were those crystal?) slid out. Emerald, Ruby , Sapphire, Amethyst..

"AHA!" The lady from behind the desk shouted triumphantly.

Startled, I looked back at her to see her almost vault over the counter. "I was Wondering when that would make it's way back!"

I raised my eyebrow at her in question.

Her tiger's grin showed teeth this time.

"That my dear, is an most unusual item.. Those lenses allow one different effects based on which are in place, and what is viewed. You see here' She reaches out and lets her finger hover just above a small push button near the base of the spyglass. 'If you push that, with the Emerald lens pushed in - it remembers what you're viewing. That is the 'base' item. '

With that she gestured to the green touched tab, and went on 'If you then slide the Ruby one in place, and hit the button.. It will transform what is viewed into what the Emerald is holding.'

I Blinked at her. My curiosity got the better of me.

'And the rest?"

She cackled at that. 'Oh that Sapphire lens, if you are cruel enough to push that one into the same view, will mean that what you transform remains conscious during it."

'CONSCIOUS? This works on People!?!" I gaped at her.

"Oh yes.. " She let out a mirthless chuckle.

I shook my head in bewilderment.

"If you don't push the Sapphire into view.. Whoever gets transformed into the base item has no idea what is happening. It's like they're in a sleep. As you can see if you tip it to your eye - Don't point it at me! Look to the ceiling'

I obliged - I could tell that the lenses were at the edges, and they could slide either fully out to view the lens - which each one appeared to have sigils of some kind cut into them.. Or pushed in to sit further down the glass and color the end view.

I was almost afraid to ask.. 'And the Purple one?"

"Oh the Amethyst? That returns them to their original state.." She said somewhat lamely.

I looked once more at the spyglass. It's weathered brass frame, with little rings of worn leather and those little tabs.. Surely this can't be real.. Still though I thought It IS an interesting piece, and a good start for a story if I feel like trying my hand at writing again...

On a whim I asked her 'How much is it?"

She took another drag of her cigarette, then puffed out an O that settled above my head before fraying apart.

'That piece.. Is $36.87 exactly' She said with a sly smile.

I blinked at her. There was no way that was the price.

"Really? That's it?"

She shrugged 'That's what the universe has decided the cost is. I asked the question in my mind and that was the answer. What do you have in your wallet boy?"

I dug out my wallet. Did a quick count, then did a triple take.

..."Thirty Six dollars, and eighty seven cents.."

She held out her palm.