Holding her breath, Shai took three tentative steps towards the counter. It was fleshy with jack o’lantern teeth around its old timey cash register. Shai closed her eyes. She’d done her research and knew the entire pawn shop was coated with a psychotropic paint job designed to enhance moods. She counted to three and then to ten, and then three again, Opening her eyes, Shai saw the register counter and the pawn store clerk behind it worn matching smirks.

“Pick yer poison princess,” the clerk asked returning his eyes to his book. “We’re burning daylight here.”

With pockmarked walls and scratched bare industrial floor, Desperation Pawn & Loan made Shai think of an old-fashion abattoir. She pushed down the revulsion creeping up her throat. The emotionally responisve counter waggled its projected tongue at her.

Shai gathered her cardigan tighter and took comfort in seeing the clerk held his antique volume upside down. It is all smoke and mirrors, she thought over and over. Shai pasted on her best PTA smile.

“Sorry please can you help me? I’ve need been to a place like this,” Shai said.

“Oh really,” the clerk said with a raised eyebrow, looking her up and down. “You look like an old pro to me.”

Anger bubbled inside Shai as she drew herself up into an imperious stance. The pawn shop’s light flipped from violent to red flasher and the counter cackled, “can I speak to the manager.” Shai deflated.

“I need help. Please. I went to the the psych cops and nothing. I have been to every pleasure palace from New Philly to Merion. Even consulted a God darn witch doctor and I still can’t find my memory. My life is on the line. Desperation is my last hope, Pemberley,” Shai said reading the clerk’s name tag. “Everyone said you guys can source anything.”

As the shop lights glowed up to a moody neo-noir in silvery blues, the counter burst into tears. Annoyed, the clerk swiped left and an virtual interface appeared.

“Get on with it, dollface. I don’t want to be stuck in your shopworn melancholia till my break. Scan your bioprint and if your memory is anywhere on the web Desperation can sniff out who hacked it and where it hidden. But you know the price?”

Gulping, Shai looked at the engagement ring. The walls began to tick as a giant pendulum appeared over her head. Pemberley tapped his foot. The counter sniffled. Whatever it takes, Shai said to herself. She shoved her upturned palm into the interface’s shimmer.