Chapter 679 As A Gif (1/2)

Chapter 679: As A Gift

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

As the phonograph had regained its popularity, many modern music companies started to produce this type of machines again.

The traditional phonograph could only be used to play vinyl records, while the modern phonograph was actually a music-broadcasting instrument modeled after a phonograph such as a CD player, USB player, SD card player, AM/FM radio and so on.

Hans said, ”This is obviously a traditional phonograph, but for two grand? Ha, it's not as though some celebrity used it previously. Who would pay so much for it?”

The auctioneer also knew this, so he deliberately dramatized the description of the item. ”Okay, 2,500 dollars, 2,500 dollars, 2,500 dollars. That's not a high price, folks. What comes to mind when you hear this music? Does it make you recollect the entanglement between Ben and Mrs. Robinson? You know, there was a phonograph in front of them at that time . . . ”

Ben and Mrs. Robinson were the main characters from the film ”The Graduate,” a world-famous movie. In the movie, the mature Mrs. Robinson had taken many boys' virginity.

There was a scene in the film where the seductive Mrs. Robinson was putting on her black silk stockings in the living room. In order to avoid making it look too sleazy, the director specially put the focus on the environment, and what was in focus was actually a phonograph.

The choice of this score from ”The Graduate” was clearly a calculated move on the auctioneer's part.

The price had risen from 2,500 dollars to 3,000 dollars. Li Du raised the number plate he held and said, ”4,000 dollars!”

The price increased by 1,000 dollars, giving the auctioneer great joy. He immediately pointed at him and shouted, ”Finally, there's someone who appreciates the value of this item, and has offered a price to match! 4,000 dollars, 4,000 dollars, 4,000 dollars—anyone willing to offer more?”

The price hike was too much, causing most bidders to lose interest. They didn't have a large budget.

Fawkes had been observing Li Du. He could tell that Li Du was not interested in the earlier items, but only keen on this phonograph.

Given Li Du's reputation in treasure hunting, Fawkes wondered, Is there anything special about this photograph? Since Li Du's so interested in it, could it be worth a lot of money?

With this thought, he also offered a bid, shouting, ”4,100 dollars!”

Li Du countered, ”4,500 dollars!”

”4,600 dollars!” Fawkes continued to bid.

The two of them had reignited other customers' interest, and some of those who had given up earlier decided to jump in with an offer.

”Four thousand seven hundred dollars!”

”Four thousand eight hundred dollars!”

”Four thousand nine hundred dollars!”

Li Du shook his head and didn't want to wait for it to get to 5,000 dollars. He said decisively, ”6,000 dollars!”

When he shouted this price, the interest that everyone had regained earlier dissipated just as quickly.

Six thousand dollars for a phonograph. Given that it was only an ordinary phonograph and not an antique, it was not worth the money.

Fawkes had still wanted to try his luck, and so he continued, ”6,100 hundred dollars!”

Li Du looked at him and frowned, saying, ”7,000 dollars!”

Hearing the offer, the spectators gasped and kept their comments to just one sentence: ”This Chinaman's really loaded!”

Fawkes hesitated. Hans stopped Li Du and said, ”Are you really paying 7,000 dollars for an old machine? How can it be worth so much money?”