Want

"You see, my dear, the situation..it's not that simple." He tapped his cigar against the wineglass, black flakes of ash settling on the surface. 

"What do you want?" I pressed, "Gold? You're the richest man on this street and not a soul would bet against it. Everything you want, you can buy." 

"Ah, the young. So naive it's almost amusing." 

"I'm not here to listen to you quote literature. I'm here to make you a deal, so name your currency. What is it that you desire?" 

"I desire something that money can't buy me." 

"What can't money buy you? If it's illegal, don't worry. I'm not who you think I am." 

"The one thing I lust for, all the money in the world cannot buy. I'm a cursed man, my love." 

I lean in, the air heavy with anticipation. "What is it," I'm almost begging. 

What could be so precious? 

"I want time." He reveals, "More of it. All of it. I hunger for it when I lay in my bed at night until I feel nothing more than the tick of the clock and the thud of my hollow heard in perfect harmony."