"You might want to try the department store."
Noah looked confused.
"I don't want a department store."
Melissa sighed.
"What exactly are you looking for?"
Noah reached into his hoodie pocket.
"I was told this store could help me."
"Who told you?"
Noah hesitated.
"A man named Daniel."
"Daniel who?"
"I don't know his last name."
Melissa frowned.
"Do you have an appointment?"
"No."
"Then I'm afraid we can't help you."
Noah looked around.
"I just need to speak with someone."
Richard had been watching.
He finally approached.
"Is there a problem?"
Melissa shook her head.
"No, Mr. Coleman."
Richard looked at Noah.
"What can I do for you?"
Noah explained.
"I'm here about a watch."
Richard glanced at the duffel bag.
Then at the dirty hoodie.
Then at the worn shoes.
"Do you have a budget?"
Noah looked uncomfortable.
"I'm not sure."
Richard's eyebrows rose.
"You don't know your budget?"
"No."
"Then perhaps you should come back when you do."
Noah looked at him.
"I was told you could identify it."
"Identify what?"
Noah reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a photograph.
Richard took it.
It showed an old man's wrist.
There was a watch on it.
The photograph was faded.
The watch looked old.
Very old.
Richard studied it.
"This is an antique."
"Yes."
"Where did you get this?"
"It belonged to my father."
Richard looked at Noah.
"Your father?"
"Yes."
"What happened to him?"
Noah didn't answer immediately.
"He died."
Richard softened for half a second.
"I'm sorry."
"Thank you."
Noah looked toward the display cases.
"I need to know how much the watch is worth."
Richard looked at the photograph again.
"It depends."
"On what?"
"Whether it's authentic."
Noah nodded.
"That's why I'm here."
Richard looked at him.
"We can have one of our specialists examine it."
Noah's face brightened.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"How much?"
Richard paused.
"There may be an appraisal fee."
"How much?"
"Five hundred dollars."
Noah's expression fell.
"I don't have that."
Richard immediately responded.
"Then I'm afraid there's nothing we can do."
Noah looked disappointed.
"But I was told..."
Richard interrupted.
"Who told you?"
"Daniel."
"Again, Daniel who?"
Noah shook his head.
"I don't know."
Richard sighed.
"Look, young man, this is a private luxury boutique."
Noah looked at him.
"I know."
"We don't provide free appraisals."
"I understand."
"Then perhaps you should leave."
Noah stood quietly.
He looked at the old photograph.
Then at the watches.
Then back at Richard.
"Could you at least tell me if the watch is real?"
Richard shook his head.
"Not from a photograph."
Noah nodded.
"Okay."
He turned.
Then stopped.
"I have the watch."
Richard looked at him.
"You have it with you?"
Noah nodded.
He opened his duffel bag.