What You Will Pawn I Will Redeem by Sherman Alexie

         Jackson Jackson is a drunken homeless Indian on the streets of Seattle. At the beginning of the story he and his 'regular crew' are walking around and stumble upon a pawnshop that caught Jackson's eye. In the window he sees his grandmothers regalia. He walks in and tells the shop owner that the regalia was stolen from his family nearly fifty years ago and that he would like it back. Ths owner tells him that it will cost him nine hundred and ninety-nine dollars. Jackson only has five dollars to his name, so the shop owner offers him a deal. The deal was that if Jackson could come up with the money in twenty four hours then he can have the regalia back, the owner even gives him twenty dollars to start him on his journey. Once he has the money in his hand he spends it on "three bottles of imagination", for him and his 'posse'. As the story continues, Jackson is able to earn little bits of money here and there. He wins one hundred dollars by playing scrach of tickets. Agian, once he has the hundred dollars he spends it at Big Heart's bar, an all-Indian bar. He buys drinks for him and all his cousins. Later he is found on the railroad tracks by a cop that is familiar with Jackson. While on his way to a detox center with the officer, they speak about Jacksons grandfather and tells the officer of his grandmothers regalia. The officer then gives his thirty dollars. He takes that thirty dollars and spends it at Mother's Kitchen, a place he knew served homeless Indians. Then his twenty four hours are up. He tries to remember where exaclty the pawn shop is, and it seems to magically appear. He takes his now, five dollars into the shop. The owner asks if he worked hard for that money. Jackson says yes. The owner then gives Jackson his grandmothers regalia.
        To me, this story is about how Jackson had an attachment to his heritage. All the money that he recieved was spent buying things for other Indians, mostly homeless Indians. Only time will if Jackson will save this piece of family history, or will he pawn it for enough money to take his "posse" back to the bar.