"The Engine Sniper"...or...So, I Got Bored...

Took an afternoon nap, and was trying to spur myself into heading out to the shop, then sat down at the computer...
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So, the "Engine Sniper" moves stealthily through the tall grass of internet anonymity, eyeing his Ebay target in the manner of a mountain lion stalking a fawn. His PayPal is locked and loaded as the time ticks down.

Cold-blooded, he has little compassion for his fellow model airplane nerds that he KNOWS are lusting after the same treasure...for THEY are JUST as cold and unfeeling...and deserve no mercy.

In a low whisper that barely crosses the darkened room, the Engine Sniper's utterance is more breath than spoken word,
"Not today, my friends...not today..."

With a few moments to spare, he allows himself to recall his victory of the previous evening, when he snapped an Ohlssen & Rice .049 from the midst of a group of week-long competing bidders...
With a sum so massive, it was akin to aiming a cannon at a hamster, he'd waited 'till the last 5 seconds to unleash the Fury of "Auto Bid". Taking a deep breath, and exhaling slowly, he punched the "B" button.

His fellow nerd bidders were scattered like so many hyenas forsaking fresh carrion to a pride of hungry lions.

The surge of electronic money swamped and exhausted all other efforts, and then shut itself down after claiming it's prize with only a few dollars above the previously high bid. Before the dust had settled, it's seller had received payment, and the Engine Sniper once again disappeared into the internet marsh.

Now, the target is a fairly nice Anderson Royal Spitfire 065. From the 1950's, it's severely cool name alone beckons to the Engine Sniper, plus, the vintage powerplant has garnered but two bidders...why, it's almost an insult!
"Well, little castor-slinger, you will be respected among MY brood."

Following the same scenario as the evening previous, the half-hearted bidders were no match for the PayPal-fueled tsunami that came blasting across the Plains of Ebay. The destruction was such that the high bidder never fought back, and the silver mini-engine was taken for pennies above the highest bid.

With the seller paid within seconds, the Engine Sniper once again returns to the never ending pursuit of precious metal. Where? Well, wouldn't YOU like to know!!!!!

And...it turns out that several cups of Folgers in the afternoon may NOT be such a good idea...