Back then I was hoping that over the next 25 years my pay would increase substantially, but that the price of the books I needed for my collection would stay the same. The first thing sort of happened (although not enough for my liking), the second thing, however, most definitely did not.

Oh well... I just found at an online bookstore and bought a $38 hardcover (not new, but in "very good" condition) copy of Thinner. And also bought a $13 paperback version of Creepshow (better to have something since I still ain't forking over $1750 for a book) as a placeholder on the shelf until I win the lottery.