The Undercover Economist

The book was not in the bag, under the pram, or behind the back seat of the car. Marisol checked all three places while her son built a tower from the library’s wooden blocks. He had returned everything except the book he had chosen himself.

At the desk, Nora brought up the account. “It’s been overdue for six weeks. If it can’t be found, the replacement charge is twenty-eight.”

“For a children’s book?”

“It’s a hardback. And it’s part of a set.” Nora turned the monitor slightly. Three holds were listed beneath the title.

“Can I buy another copy?”

“You can. But it has to be the same edition. We use the barcode for the set.”

At the blocks, Marisol’s son knocked down his tower and began again. “He needs it for next week,” Marisol said. “I can pay some now.”

Nora said, “The fine isn’t there to punish you.”

Marisol’s face changed. “I didn’t say it was.”

Nora paused. “No. You didn’t.”

She printed a hold slip, then another form. The first listed the charge. The second offered a payment arrangement in three instalments, which Marisol had not known existed. It also said the account would remain limited until the balance was paid.

“Limited how?”

“You can borrow two books at a time instead of ten.”

Marisol looked toward her son, now turning a book about bridges from the back. “Two is enough for now,” she said.

Nora marked the account and placed the hold slip in the bag beside the blocks. On the way out, Marisol stopped at the returns slot and searched the bag once more, not because she thought the book was there, but because it was easier than leaving.