You take Nadja with you

“Alright, Nad, you come with me!” you decide “I guess it is better to show you everything we need right now.”

Nadja grins and squeaks happy, while Eve looks a little disappointed to the ground. It is sad to see her like this, but you can’t take both of them with you. You quickly make a phone call to ask the shop owner if the equipment is still available, which he confirms. Nadja immediately heads to the car while you leave some last instructions to your parents and friends.

Kyle drives you both to the other town. He seems quiet amused when Nadja starts to dance on her seat to the music from the radio. She always spreads a good mood wherever she goes. Less than an hour later, you arrive at the shop. It is a large hall with lots of second hand furniture and other stuff from houses that have no owner anymore.

The shop owner is a friendly old man. He is about a head smaller than you, almost bald and needs a stick to walk. But he is very nice and offers immediately to show you around. Kyle excuses himself because he has to refuel his car. But you notice a strange grin towards Nadja. Is he trying to give you two some time together?

Inside the hall, you see a lot of different types of furniture. Some are really nice and elegant, others are basically rubbish. There are also board games and books in some shelves. Nadja gets quickly interested, but you pull her away, because you are not here for a shopping trip. After a short moment, you arrive at a door to the storage. The medical equipment is stored there, because nobody was interested in it so far. However, at the entrance to the storage, you meet a big guy in working clothes who is carrying a pallet truck. He wears a cap with the logo of the store and is quiet young. Just a few years older than you.

“Ah, Raphael, good to see you here,” the old man says happy, “we have these nice young couple who is interested in the medical equipment we have in store for a while now. Both doctors, can you belive it? At this young age.”

The guy called Raphael nods greeting but his face is rock hard. He seems quiet hostile, even if his boss obviously does not notice it. And looking at his shirt, you get a good feeling why. It is from a university store. The same you and Nadja went to. Since he now works in this store, you assume he did not passed his exams. He is jealous because of your success.

“Would you please be so kind to bring these nice young couple to the store,” the old shop owner asks and sounds suddenly tired, “I feel a little tired. Maybe I should get myself a tea in the office.”

“Of course, boss,” Raphael answers short before you can correct the old man about the fact that Nadja is not a doctor and you are not a couple.

Raphael leads you wordless to a section with big boxes. In three of them is your equipment. Raphael opens one of the boxes for you to show you the stuff is in a relly good condition. You go through everything and are pleased that there is everything you need. And even more. Nadja seems a little clueless about some things, until you explain her what everything is for.

“Alright, guys,” Raphael says and sounds still not happy about you, “if you want the equipment, you have to take the whole set. We don’t offer single devices.”

“That’s not a problem,” you tell him friendly, “I wanted the whole collection anyway.”

“Very great,” Raphael says unimpressed, “that would be 2000. Paying either cash or by card. No installment payment or purchase on credit.”

“2000?” Nadja asks confused, “on your website you said only 1000.”

“Mistake by the boss, probably,” Raphael says but clearly lies, “he is old. Internet is not his world. Do you want the stuff now or not?”

“That would swallow the whole capital we have left,” you complain, “despite, even completely new, this stuff is not worth 2000.”

“Not my problem,” Raphael replies smug and crosses his arms, “if you can’t pay, stop wasting my time and leave.”

“You offered this equipment for 1000 on your website, you can’t just change it,” Nadja replies angry, “you know what, fuck this. I will talk to your boss. Let’s see what he thinks about your idea of customer support.”

“The old man barely remembers his own name and can’t move the pallet truck when it is empty,” Raphael replies stubborn, but you can see he is not that sure anymore, “you think he will believe a bunch of academic jackasses over the guy who keeps his beloved store running? But fine, if you need that garbage so urgent, how about a deal. You have a cute girlfriend. Give her to me for a few minutes and you can have the stuff for 1000.”

You really can’t believe this guy. He has no shame. First he doubles the price to benefit from his bosses customers and now he tries to **** Nadja into a sexual favour. You can see in her face that she is absolutely not happy with the offer. But she also does not speak up against it. The truth is, as long as your doctors office is unable to work, she does not really have a job. And without a job, she can’t calm her parents.

The choice is up to you. You can try to convince Nadja to accept the **** or you could call Claire and ask her for help. As a lawyer, maybe she can threat this guy. However, if he still is stubborn, this whole situation will likely keep going without result for some time. You could also pay him the money, even if it is not justified. But at least you would jet rid of this guy that way. Speaking to the shop owner is probably not a good option. He seemed very glad about Raphael working for him and you are not sure how he would react.