Panel 1
A merchant divides the price of a food bundle into four tiny pledge slips.
Caption: Four small promises looked lighter than one price.
MERCHANT: Take it now. Pay four tomorrows.
Panel 2
The buyer reveals several more sets of tiny slips tucked into coat seams and a boot.
BUYER: Which tomorrow?
Panel 3
A ledger worker drops one pebble per unpaid installment into a clear jar until it is nearly full.
LEDGER WORKER: Tomorrow is already carrying six bags.
Panel 4
The buyer chooses half the bundle for one present payment; the jar stays visible beside the counter.
Caption: The meal got smaller. Tomorrow did not.
MERCHANT: Pebbles are terrible salesmen.