Bargain Basement

Jack Hanshaw is a hot‑tempered bargain hunter whose latest snag—a sleek, 35‑inch television that inexplicably arrived without a power cord—has left him fuming. His roommate, Ken Adaman, watches the drama unfold with a mixture of amusement and rivalry, especially since both men are also competing for the affection of the charming Lorene from the corner tobacco shop. When Jack insists on returning the faulty set, the two set off for a mysterious shop on Gehannon Street, hoping to get the problem fixed before the evening’s date.

The basement they discover is anything but ordinary: a cavernous, softly illuminated space filled with endless counters, glittering machines, and clerks whose attire shifts with the light. A handsome, dark‑haired attendant greets Jack by name and promises to inspect the television, hinting at strange “transmission” methods that go beyond ordinary repair work. As the duo steps deeper into this uncanny marketplace, they sense that the bargains here may be more extraordinary—and possibly more costly—than they ever imagined.