Though I had vowed not to spend more than seven dollars a day, since I was hardly making any money, I went into the store. I actually rushed in, as though everyone else in the city was about to have the same idea as me. I asked the old man what the tape recorder cost, knowing full well that I would buy it, no matter what it cost. I gave him my credit card and signed a slip of paper on which I promised to pay one hundred and twenty-nine dollars and thirty-two cents.
