The Group was now outside the Pawn Brokers Shop. The Doctor patted his jacket pocket and smiled.
The Doctor then asked Phooey and Jack to remain outside and see if they could locate the nearest Taxi Stand, whilst he went inside along with Reggie. There was a small bell hanging above the door that announced their entry into the shop. The Doctor looked around. The Shop was full of cabinets containing Jewelry and time pieces, On the Walls hang everything from Musical Instruments to Stuffed Animal Heads.... Paintings to Lavish Mirrors. All types of wonders.
The shop had long counters on three of its four walls, and behind one was an elderly man dressed in a white coat.
" Good Afternoon " said the man standing behind the counter. " My name is Lou, Lou Greenberg, How can I help you ?" he continued.
The Doctor and Reggie walked up to the Counter
"They call me the Doctor, and this is my Dog Reggie" The Doctor replied.
The Doctor explained that he had just arrived in the City and found he had mislaid his Wallet. He need some cash whilst he waited for his luggage to arrive at his hotel. The Doctor said was wondering if he could trade or sell something to help his current financial embarrassment. Normally the Doctor preferred not to lie, but he wanted to come across as he was in genuine need to raise some cash.
Lou, was impressed with The Doctor, especially his " English " Accent.
"You a Britisher ?" Asked Lou
The Doctor realizing that he did have somewhat of an English accent nodded.
Whilst Lou and The Doctor were in conversation Reggie decided to have a look about the shop. On the Wall at the front of the shop was something that he did not like the look of. Some sort of Evil Looking Cats Head.
Without thinking Reggie opened his mouth and let out a loud gasp. Realizing that he had nearly broken the rule of not speaking he disguised the sound making it into a couple of barks.
Lou looking at where Reggie was Barking said " That's ok Boy, That's just Old Felix. He won't bite. He has been guarding the Shop ever since I first started working here "
He and the Doctor both laughed, whilst Reggie turned his back on the Fearful Creature and returned to the Doctor's side. The Doctor seeing how upset he looked patted him on his head for reassurance.
Then Lou asked the Doctor what he had in mind to trade, the Doctor reached into his right jacket pocket and brought out a Blue handkerchief and laid it on the counter.
He unwrapped it and showed its contents.
On seeing what was inside, Lou's eye's widened and he smiled. The Hanky contained some Rings containing Gem Stones, Broaches , Gold Coins and ear rings. All of which looked very old to the store keeper. As the Doctor arranged his items on the Blue Hanky, Lou looked on.
"Oh Dear !" Exclaimed the Doctor " This should not be here" He continued pointing at a largish diamond like gem stone.
"what is it ?" Asked Lou
"Well " Said the Doctor rubbing his chin, "If you believe in Magic, this Gem Stone holds the life force and essence of one of the most powerful Wizards that ever lived. It was entrusted to me by one of the last surviving members of Court of King Arthur . Its not for sale" Explained the Doctor.
"Can I see it ? Asked Lou. The Doctor Nodded
Looking at it through his eye glass Lou saw that the Gem was marked with what he believed was a M.
" I can see a M on it, M as in Merlin?" Said Lou wide eyed
"So I believe" Nodded the Doctor.
"Well Doctor, you do tell a wonderful tale, do you have anymore ?" Smirked Lou handing the Gem back to the Doctor.
Lou said that all these items he was interested in, but there were two items that he really liked, and he wanted to own himself.
Looking at the contents of the Blue Hanky reminded the Doctor of some of his many adventures. In turn he invited Lou to have a closer look at each item. The Doctor started with.....
The Twin Emerald Ring from his trip to Shangri - La and his meeting at the Temple of The Yeti with the Dragon Goddess, the Princess Hott - Tee
Next it was the Tie Pin
The Dagger Tie Pin came from his adventure onboard the a large cruise liner. It contained a large Blood Ruby, and a Garnet. A gift from a Scottish Lord who the Doctor had saved from drowning. The Doctor omitted that the Cruise Liner was in fact The Titanic.
The Shell Bracelet and Ear rings the Doctor then explained came from his time on the Island of Atlantis. A gift from Queen Aleta for his help avoiding the destruction of the Island by the Cybermen. Atlantis was rich with gold deposits. And the Doctor knew Gold was their main weakness. Lou asked what a Cyberman was ?..... The Doctor was about to say they were once Human but now where cyborg - robots, but he change the answer and said " They were fearsome warriors from the City of Cyber that wore Silver Armour." The answer was part true.
Lou looked at the Doctor " Cyber , is that in Europe ? "
The Doctor smiled and just nodded.
Next was a Brooch showing an Enameled Star that symbolized the Four Houses of the now forgotten Imperial Empire of Jobi that had vanished in 255 BC. The Empire and people of Jobi had originated on another planet. There Earth Outpost had later been swallowed up by a massive earthquake. This was the only surviving relic that the Doctor had discovered on his travels. He thought it may have been a fake. He had found it in a market on Earths outpost on Titan in the year 2563..... he thought it looked pretty and had planned to investigate its background........... but like most things he had never gotten around to do it.
The Doctor told Lou about The Jobi Empire, but not they were a race of Aliens living on Earth in the past.
All these items came with their own memories. Even the Earrings he had been given by a rich Aristocrat he had helped rescued in France from Madam Guillotine in Paris . He had uncovered that she was like him an Alien who had become stranded on Earth by an accident. If he had allowed her to die, her people would have most likely invaded Earth and conquered it. He helped reunite her with her family, and his reward was the ear rings and a kiss from the beautiful lady.
All these items a memory of times past thought the Doctor. As Lou examined each of them in turn, The Doctor continued to tell him a little bit about their history, knowing that Lou did not believe any of it. He kept the parts about Aliens and Time Travel to himself. And would Lou believe him if he told him the real reason the Titanic Sunk or what it had hit in the first place. Not an iceberg, A Half Submerged damaged Battle Cruiser containing a number of Angry Ice Warriors from Mars.
The Doctor had collected many items on his travels throughout time and space. Phooey & Jack has seen some, But the reason he had brought these items with him on this mission was he knew at some time during that day he would have of need some money. Most of these items he had been given in lieu of aiding others on his travels. But he was confused as he did not remember adding the "M" Life Stone to the collection. I must be getting old, he thought to himself.
Placing his magnifying eye piece to his eye, Lou examined the Blue Hankies contents again. Lou was very satisfied with what he saw. He picked up one of the Rings. It was set with Red Stones and had a white enameled flower in the centre. Lou believed these were Four Large Ruby Gem Stones.
" Where did you get this ? " Lou inquired.
" A present from a most delightful lady " Said the Doctor.
" It looks very old, the setting is simple but the craftsmanship is wonderful. It should be in a Museum " beamed Lou
"Yes its Elizabethan " said the Doctor. " Around 1580 I believe " He continued. The Doctor knew exactly when he received it, and why and from Whom.
" I suppose you got it directly from Queen Elizabeth herself " Joked Lou.
"Yes, I did as a matter of fact. I got it helping defeat the Spanish Armada" said the Doctor with a wink. Which was true he had helped in that conflict. And he had been given this ring and a Knighthood by The Virgin Queen herself. He was officially Sir Doctor High Lord of the Blue Box.
Lou asked what type of business the Doctor was in. The Doctor told him he was an explorer and archaeologist who specialized in ancient artifacts. He said he was in Town to give a lecture on Medieval Treasure. The Doctor hated to lie, but the truth that he was an Alien who traveled through Time and Space would be to hard for most folk to believe. He said he had business in town and was on his way to meet friends down town with his two son's who were waiting outside.
Lou looked through the Window in the front door and saw Phooey & Jack standing across the street,
" Fine looking Boys " He Said " The little one looks a lot bit you " he added
Reggie turn his head so not to let Lou see he was laughing at the fact Lou thought Phooey looked like the Doctor. or was it the Doctor looked like Phooey ?
Walking back to the counter Lou pointed to the Two Gold Coins. The Doctor told him he was willing to part with them.
"I could Loan you $ 100 dollars against them. You Pay me back with in the next 7 days and I will not charge you any interest. But if it goes over a week you needed to pay me $ 110 dollars" Lou explained.
Lou was himself a coin expert and his offer to Loan the Doctor $100 Dollars in exchange for both of the Gold Coins, this was not a bad deal. Lou knew were rare Spanish Ram Skull Doubloons that dated from around 1600's. Although the Doctor believed that Lou was not really swindling him, The Time Lord knew they were worth much much more. The Doctor also knew had no choice but to accept these terms.
He thought with any luck he could borrow the money to buy them back from the Impossibles when he found them. Ok If he did not manage to do this it would not do anything to damage the time line too much he thought. They did not have any real sentimental meaning to the Doctor, so he was willing to let them go.
"Did you get these from Good Queen Bess also ?" Joked Lou as he opened the cash register and counted out the $ 100 dollars
"No, I liberated them during a card games with Black Beard himself" replied The Doctor.Which again was true.
" Bad card player, but Edward Teach was a very nice Chap !" added the Doctor.
Both men laughed loudly. The Doctor then wrapped the Blue Hanky around the other items and pushed it into his pocket, whilst Lou continued counting out the money. 5 $10 dollar notes and 10 $ 5 dollar notes which he handed to the Doctor.... along with the receipt for the Coins. He placed the coins inside the Cash Register for safe keeping.
Bidding the Store keeper good bye The Doctor and Reggie turned to leave. Reggie closed his eyes so not to look at the frightening head of "Felix" and the Doctor lead him by his collar. As the Doctor opened the door of the Pawn Brokers Store. Lou shouted out " When and if you come back please bring some more stories with you Doctor"
"And Remember Doctor, if you do not return to reclaim the coins that in 28 Days they are mine " Lou explained
The Doctor waved and smiled. He very much expected to return before then to reclaim his coins.
Once outside the Doctor rejoined Phooey and Jack who said they had located a Taxi Rank about a block further down.
Then the Doctor counted out $50 dollars and gave it to Phooey, just in case they got split up and separated during the mission. The idea would be for them to stay tog. ether as a team , but if needed they could work in pairs. Phooey and Jack, Himself and Reggie.
Phooey knew about paper money, where Jack unfortunately did not. Then bending down the Doctor whispered into Reggie's ear. Reggie nodded.
The Doctor asked Jack & Phooey to keep a look out and try to shield him from prying eyes. Jack stood one side whilst Phooey stood the other. Phooey gave the thumbs up and then took up a Kung Foo stance.
Jack remembered some thing that Jace had told him about his disguised Katana. Holding out the Umbrella he tapped the Gold Diamond twice. And the Umbrella opened proving a barrier to help shield the view from any onlookers.
Then making sure that the coast was clear Reggie opened a compartment on the back of his head. The Doctor then placed the Blue Hanky with its contents inside for safe keeping. Walking around with items of this worth was asking for trouble he thought.
Closing the compartment Reggie on his head he shook his head. He could feel the items inside
" This Tickles" he whispered to the Doctor. The Doctor smiled and petted Reggie.
Then the Doctor and Reggie followed Phooey and Jack as they set off in the direction of the Taxi Rank.
Next time the foursome get nearer to their targets..... The Impossibles.
Until then Enjoy.
