Exchange

Obsolescence only means reinvention.

The Cash Man snorted. “Ah, toss it, Frank. Those things are like, negative cents now. They say depreciated v-a-l-u-e."

Little Lincoln’s copper-coated heart sank. He tried to show his luster through the grime and neglect. He used to use his power to glint in dark corners, to shine on stairwells and sidewalks.

Frank dropped him in his pocket. “I’ll take it to the bank, just to be sure.”

*****

The bank teller rubbed off the dust. “Hey, this is an authentic American!”

“Ah, really?” said Frank. “I thought they were recalled for their copper, what was it, back in ’35?”

“They were.” The teller gave Frank a hundred dollar bill in exchange.

Frank whooped. The savvy, forward thinking pennysaver victorious.

*****

Little Lincoln swelled with pride. Could he ever bring more value? Only moving forward.

Later, he could imagine when he saw the smelter, he had to be brave.

He was soon to be reborn as part of a solar panel. He would help illuminate even darker corners. He wept for joy, that he could still add value, even in this new, penniless world.

He would exchange everything for that.

**The art for this story was generously provided by Jose Baetas.