The outside air was cold with the frost of Autumn, breathing down the neck of hope for the continued warmth of Summer. Inside, the covered stranger welcomed the respite of a small space heater clattering against its metal casing in the curiosity shop. No one would be able to identify him with the low tipped hat, darkened lenses, and high collar. No one would know they walked by him every day on their way to work.
The shop was designed with a single path in mind. Minimalist wooden shelves, stained lacquer black, drew the eye to specific displays from all around the world. Patrons would travel through the narrow passageways dimly lit by metallic reflections of forgotten relics. The walkway varied in size from step to step, forcing guests to contort their forms to the owner's will. But the journey was worth it for those seeking their true desire.
The stranger knew exactly what he wanted. The cheap art pieces and shimmering housewares failed to leave an impression. His focused mind led him to the heart of the curiosity shop: the back wall.
The minimalist shelves and winding pathways were purely distractions. A lost tourist would surely grow tired of the ever changing sights and leave before reaching the wall. Even a casual collector might give up in the face of the cumbersome design and take their money to another area antique store. But not someone seeking far more than a display piece.
The stranger was the first man in years to see the back wall. The owner of the shop rested on a stool, casually thumbing through a week old newspaper. Next to him stood the only item on the back wall. The source of all desire in the world. Atop a tall pedestal sat a small puzzle box. The natural wood grain was obstructed by a black lacquer, adorned by delicate gold patterns of forgotten symbolism and cryptic texts. One glance was all it took to convince the stranger he found his prize.
Without any discussion, the stranger pulled out a signed blank check and held it out for the owner to take.
"Take whatever you want for it," he said. "I can afford whatever you want."
The owner looked up from his newspaper to stare at the stranger. He seemed familiar, but with his face covered, there was no way to know how.
"Just take it."
The stranger reached for the box as the owner tore up the check. With a quick motion, the stranger began to examine the sides of the box with his gloved fingers.
"Not in my store. And not on the street, either. Go back wherever you came from before messing around with that."
The owner showed the stranger out the back door and shut down the shop for the night. He may not have known who desired it, but he was certain of one thing: the puzzle box would be back in his shop soon enough.