Episode 349: Go Figure

A customer shows Mazolli an abacus made of brass with a green marble base. Mazolli moves the beads around with his finger. You’re giving this away? he says. You sure you want to do that? I never use it anymore, says the customer. I don’t have money for coffee. Will you take this as trade? Mazolli feels a little like a sucker, but accepts the abacus in exchange for a large coffee. He spends several evenings absorbed in the intricacies of its operation. It’s kind of fun using this thing, he tells Terrastina. Do you want to try it?