"What is I.D.?"
"Identification."
"I can tell you who I am."
"Certainly, sir, but I must also ask for a passport or a valid drivers licence."
Rystrome looked perplexed. "Let me go get my friends. I'll be back."
Rystrome went out onto the sidewalk and reported the entire conversation.
"You mean we can't use the gold to buy food or a place to sleep without this I.D.?"
"I guess," said Rystrome.
"Let's ask somebody else."
"Who?"
Blackwell looked around then stopped the next person who came by. "Excuse me." The man kept on walking. He tried again. And again. The third time he stopped a guy who was walking a bit slower wearing baggy pants, a puffy plaid shirt, and a knit cap. "Can you tell me where to trade gold for currency?"
"Yeah, man. The pawn shop."
"Where is this pawn shop? Can you direct me there?"
"Not many pawn shops open this time of night." Blackwell waited for him to continue. "I could maybe take you to one for a fee."
"Fee." The native nodded. "How much?"
The native appraised the three team members and factored in the fact that they were asking strangers on the street about trading gold after hours.
"Ten percent of what you get for it."
Blackwell's expression didn't change in the slightest except for a light narrowing of the eyes which, for the first time, made the native a little nervous. "Two percent."
"Okay. Let's go."
They followed the native a few steps to the subway entrance. The team took one look at the steps going down and balked.
"What is this?" Rystrome asked.
"Subway." The native looked surprised. "You never seen a subway?"
The three didn't confirm or deny. They just looked at him.
"Is there another way to go?"
"Yeah, but it costs money."
"And the subway does not cost money?"
The native looked at them suspiciously. "You got no money?"
"We do not have money. That is why we need to change gold for money."
"Uh-huh." The native looked around for a few seconds then said, "I might be able to get someone to come give us a ride, but I need to see me some gold. I mean, you know, folks standing around on the street with no money asking about what to do with gold don't sound quite right. You know what I'm saying?"
Blackwell, Rystrome, and Dustand looked at each other. Blackwell let his pack drop. He unzipped the top and brought a gold bar into view - enough for verification. It wasn't any accident that he opened the pack enough for the native to also get a peek at the gun. He wanted to make the point that a double cross would be a very bad idea.