Where's My $2???

Also Titled: The Kid at the Vegetable Stall Downstairs

If you have ever seen the 80's classic "Better Off Dead" with John Cusack, you will totally get what I'm talking about. The little paper boy, who constantly harasses JC for the $2 he owes him? Well, I've got my own version of that going.

So the first time I went to the vegetable stall, at the bottom of our apartment complex, I went with Jennifer and she did all of the talking, choosing, paying, etc. I went back yesterday afternoon by myself to get a few for dinner tomorrow with marginal success.

The kid that apparently runs the place is maybe 12 or so, but he really likes to wheel and deal. I chose about 3 kinds of vegetables I wanted, then he started making suggestions. He picked some fruit out for me, which was fine, then made a big deal about up-selling me on the world's largest wad of cilantro.

We argued for awhile about whether or not I wanted hot peppers and tomatoes, (I did not) and then I finally got my purchases rung up. The bill was about twice what I expected, so I told him I had to go back upstairs and get some money. About 2 steps later I see he has decided to leave his store and carry my stuff upstairs for me, very nice of him.

He comes right in, finds his way to the kitchen, and puts my things away. Then he starts looking around in the spare bedroom, and in the fridge. He was really amused about the fridge, I am not sure if he thought it was fabulous (it is pretty nice and new) or if he was also laughing at me for lack of anything actually being in my fridge. The laughing seems to happen to me a lot, so I wasnt sure.

We went back downstairs, where he tried to get me to buy a few more things, so I finally said ok and got some little cucumbers, just to calm him down. He doesnt get upset or angry, but when he wants me to do something he totally goes off on a tear. Talking loud, fast, waving his hands- its way easier to say ok sometimes than let him rant. But I have to stand my ground and refuse every now and then or else he really gets carried away.

Andy came home about 10 minutes later, and we were just starting to sit down and relax when the doorbell rings. Surprise, its my little friend! He started mumbling about milk, and since there is a farm next door we thought he might be going that way. We put him on the phone with Navin, who translated that we would be presented with 1 litre of buffalo's milk about 7:00 the next morning for $32 rupees.

At 7:45 the next day my little friend rings the bell, I crawl out of bed, go get the milk, and give him $32 rupees. He immediately starts his little high-pitched, early-morning wail, about how the price is now $42 rupees, which I fork over to get him to quiet down as soon as possible. While I am looking for money he inspects the apartment again, room by room, and then asks to use Andy's magical mystery iPhone, which apparently made a big impression last night. This kid is dying to use that iPhone.

The minute that money hits his hand he wants $50 rupees, so I literally take him by the shoulders, and start pushing him out the door. We finally agree on 1 more rupee, which I scrounge around for, then get him out, as he is laughing and mumbling (probably about what a sucker I am) all the way.

About 10:00 the doorbell rings again, and he is back with bananas and a bunch of other things. I refuse him very nicely, we are both laughing this time, and I shut the door, hopefully after getting him to understand that I will come back the veggie stall the next time I need something. This kid is nothing if not persistent. What a little entrepreneur! I totally just ripped off by a small child, but whatever.

P.S.- Every time I see this kid now, he shouts out "Frut, frut?????" and every now and then throws in an occasional "Wa-ter-Mel-on?". He never stops, I am convinced he will be chasing me down a ski slope one day on a bike.