Title: Used Books
Challenge: 15 Minute Challenge - Used
Word Count: 570
Time: 21 minutes writing, 2 minutes editing, 2 minutes to look up William Wallace Denslow's name. (I lose track of time in used book stores, sue me. I'll share my dust bunny collection with you.)
Author's Note: Acres of Books does exist. I do get lost almost everytime. I do find the most wonderful books there.

HR

It wasn't that Professor Lawrence Fleinhardt didn't appreciate new things. It was just that he preferred items that were old and/or rare.

So when he wanted a book, he preferred to buy a used copy, rather than something fresh off the press.

Larry also preferred the sensuous pleasure of handling books, rather than just picking a name from a list. Which is why he had also eschewed the vast inventories of ABE books and Alibris in favor of the more time consuming approach of visiting used book stores.

Thus, one Sunday afternoon, he found himself in Long Beach's famed Acres of Books looking for used poetry books.

His talent for direction was almost nonexistent, so it was inevitable that he would get lost. Of course, getting lost in Acres of Books was at least 33.34 percent of the charm of going. One never knew what treasures one might find that way.

After twining his way through the labyrinthine stacks, Larry found himself in the children's section. A few minutes of delightful perusal turned into several hours, and by the time he managed to find his way out of the book store, his shopping bags were much heavier.

The best find, however, was in the glass case at the checkout stand.

When he left the store, his wallet was rather lighter.

But not as much lighter as it would have been if he had been buying new books.

Yes, used books have a practical side, too.

Later that day…

That evening, over dinner, Larry presented one of his finds to his lady-love, Megan (who was not old, but she certainly was rare). They were seated on her couch, having just sent for Thai food to be delivered. (There were some advantages to modern technology, Larry mused. Like being able to go on a romantic date without leaving home.)

"The Wonderful Wizard of Oz?" Megan laughed.

"Yes, it's a 1907 version, illustrated by William Wallace Denslow," Larry said. "Quite a rare find." He beamed.

"I loved this book when I was a kid," Megan said. "I loved the Judy Garland version, too!"

Larry nodded, "As did I. The thirties produced many marvelous works."

Megan thumbed through the book as they waited. "I was always casting myself as Glinda the Good Witch," she said. "Except on bad days, when I really wanted to be the Wicked Witch of the West." She thought of certain criminals she had to deal with. "Yeah, an evil spell now and then would be handy in my line of work."

"Really?" Larry asked. "I would have cast you as Dorothy, myself."

The corner of Megan's eyes crinkled. "Why am I not surprised? So who do you cast as the Scarecrow without a brain? The Tin Man without a heart? And, of course, who is the Cowardly Lion?"

Larry pulled a face at her. "I am, as my students say, so NOT going there." He chuckled. "I do, however, cast myself as the Wizard."

Megan's eyebrows went up. "Why? Are you saying you're a humbug?"

Larry shook his head. "No, I'm saying that I want to help you find your way home." He looked at his hands in a sudden fit of shyness.

"You mean, find my way home to you?" Megan asked with a sparkle in her eyes.

"Indeed," Larry did not have time to say more, because Megan decided that was the perfect time to kiss him.