What You Pawn I Will Redeem: 7:00 P.M. Summary & Analysis

Jackson spends his $2.50 on a cigar and two scratch lottery tickets, figuring that if he wins the $500 cash prize on both he’ll have enough for his grandmother’s powwow regalia. Jackson is in love with Kay, the cashier at the Korean grocery, and tells her that he loves her every time he’s there. He knows he is too old for her and says he can only dream. She gives him permission to dream so long as the dreams don’t involve sex or kissing, and he agrees. Jackson leaves the store and walks to a park where he smokes his cigar and scratches off his lottery tickets. He loses on the first card, but wins a free ticket on the second, so he walks back to the grocery and redeems his prize.

On the third ticket, Jackson wins $100 and walks back into the store to redeem his cash. As Kay hands him the money, their hands touch, and Jackson describes that this feels “electric and constant.” Jackson hands Kay one of his new $20 bills and explains that Indians always share prizes with their families. Kay says that she isn’t Jackson’s family and tries to reject the offer, but Jackson insists, and she keeps the money. He walks out of the store into the cold night with $80.