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The only reason Joe needed a new phone was that his old one died a noble death by taking a bullet for him during a shootout. After finishing the mission and showering, Joe told Nile he would find a store so he could buy a new phone. Nile said she would tag along and wait outside for Joe so they could get dinner before leaving town.
The moment Joe entered the store, a young man named Mick almost ran over to him and started talking about all of the advantages of the latest phones. With every passing minute, Joe could feel he was getting older than he truly was, and suddenly, Joe could relate to Andy whenever someone talked about the latest marvel of modern technology. But unlike Andy, Joe didn't feel the need to destroy phones because phones made it easier to talk to Nicky whenever they were apart.
Joe groaned while rubbing his temples in an attempt to get rid of the headache he suddenly felt.
Joe: "Listen, Mick, I do not doubt that a ..."
Joe searched for the right word.
Joe: "Teenager will appreciate all the things you have just talked about more than I will do. All I need is a phone that can ring, text, and send photos. Nothing more or less."
If Mick was trying to hide his disappointment that his sales pitch hadn't worked on Joe, he was terrible at hiding it. Then Mick lead Joe over to another mobile phone display.
Mick: "We recommend these phones to people over 50. Bigger keyboard, so that you can see the numbers and letters, plus you can store up to ten phone numbers on the mobile phone."
Joe tried not to look too insulted at Mick for thinking that Joe was over 50. Yes, Joe was 966 years old, but he didn't look like it.
Joe: "I'll take one if it also can take photos."
When Joe got outside, he found Nile still sitting on the bench, listening to music. Nile had insisted on that bench because the ice cream truck was standing next to it. Joe could tell Nile had eaten four ice creams so far. Joe dumped down next to Nile with a deep sigh. It made Nile remove the headphones.
Nile: "Why do you look like you just got a thousand years older in ten minutes?"
Joe: "I'm not buying a new phone before the next century. I didn't get half of the stuff he was saying."
Nile: "But you did get a phone so that you can call Nicky. I know you have missed talking with him and a phone is the only way right now."
Joe and Nile worked on their part of the mission in the USA, while Nicky and Andy worked on their part in Africa.
Joe: "You're right, Nile, I do miss talking with my man and according to the seller, I can do it with this phone."
Joe held up the box with the new phone.
Nile: "My Gran had that model when she couldn't see anything in the end, so how come you ended up with that?"
Joe told Nile what had happened in the store.
Joe: "I think I made the seller a bit mad at me when I said I only wanted a phone that could ring, text, and take photos."
Nile: "Him being mad at you gives him no right to act like an idiot. Let me have a word with him. What is his name?"
Joe: "Mick, but Nile, don't make a fuss on my behalf. As long I can call Nicky, I'm happy."
Nile: "Something you can't do with that phone because you can't make long-distance calls on it. I know it because my Gran couldn't call her cousin in Belfast."
Nile stood up.
Nile: "Give me the phone and the receipt. Then I'll get you a phone that works."
Joe looked down at the phone with a thoughtful mime.
Joe: "Not that I don't appreciate your help, Nile, but you getting me a phone makes me feel really old and useless."
Nile placed her hand on Joe's hand with a smile.
Nile: "Joe, listen. Us helping each other goes both ways. You helped me learn to use a sword, and thanks to your help, I can now use a sword without making any holes in the furniture. Do you remember that day?"
Joe nodded. Right after Nile had joined them, Joe asked her to hold his scimitar while he looked for the whetstone. When left alone, Nile couldn't resist swinging the scimitar, which resulted in her making a big hole in the sofa. Nile actually had thought that Joe would shout at her, but instead, he said he did something similar when he was a child with his father's sword. Then Joe asked Nile to repair the sofa before he would teach her how to use a sword properly. It took Nile the entire night to repair the sofa.
Joe: "I do, yes. And you got a point, little sister. When did you become so wise?"
Nile: "It's called streetwise. So Joe, will you let me help you and then I'll teach you how to buy phones?"
Joe gave Nile the phone and the receipt before she walked back to the store. When she returned, she handed Joe another mobile phone.
Nile: "Mick asked me to tell you he is so sorry for misunderstanding you, Joe. Mick's way of apologising is that he has given you a discount on your new phone and set it up for you so that you can call Nicky right now. Oh, Mick also gave you this new camera."
Nile handed Joe the phone and camera.
Joe: "A Polaroid camera. I haven't had one since the Vietnam war."
Nile: "I hope you'll let me use it sometime."
Joe: "You can have the first try. I need to call Nicky."
Nile: "Thanks, Joe. I always wanted to try a Polaroid camera."
Joe: "Have fun. See you back in fifteen minutes, and then I'll buy you dinner as thanks for all of your help."
Nile: "Free pizza, I love it. Say hi to Nicky from me."
Joe saw Nile disappear into the park. After promising himself that he would buy something nice for Nile for all of her help, he called Nicky. Because they both prepared their privacy as usual when speaking together, they spoke in a language the world had long forgotten.
Joe: "Hello, Nicolò."