The First and Second Man paused the moment they entered the large, oddly shaped building. They used these spare seconds to drink everything in, marveling at the size and grandeur of the interior that definitely felt like a new addition.
As well as a welcomed one.
"They've redecorated," the Second Man mused, scanning with his eyes, taking note of the number of people coming to and fro, as well as the various security cameras recording their movements. It shouldn't be a problem. "Come on. It's this way." He temporarily removed the Employee ID card attached to his uniform before flashing it to the guard at the entrance next to the receptionist desk. The First Man copied this behavior before following his colleague further inside, past the Egyptian exhibition, ignoring the ancient Chinese demonstration and not even bothering to take a break to appreciate the brand new artifacts on display in the Mayan collection.
"Slow down. You're missing all the good stuff," the First Man cooed a few steps behind.
"We're not here to sight see."
"You know, just once I'd like to visit a museum and actually appreciate the history mankind has unearthed over the years." The First Man didn't let his colleague stop him from stealing glances at the exhibits as they marched on.
"You're welcome to stick around once we're done."
"Aw, but without my bestie that just wouldn't be any fun." The First Man playfully tied his arm around the second, pulling him in close which he knew his colleague wouldn't appreciate.
Shortly after forcibly removing him from the First Man's grip, the Second Man came to a standstill, in the Japanese section. What caught his eye was a single bronze ring laid out amongst a collection of other exotic items. Some of the artifacts were rusted, some were cracks and plenty were flat out broken, or failing that, on display in pieces.
To any other observer, this single ring should not and would not attract any superfluous attention. Its design was simplistic and unexciting. A mere drop in the ocean of a much larger collection of many infinitely better looking treasures just waiting to be admired.
"So, this is it?" The First Man pressed his face up against the glass while the second fetched a photograph from his carrier bag. He paused briefly to make sure they weren't being observed. He wasn't worried about the camera. This spot was conveniently blind in favor of watching out for more valuable artifacts on display elsewhere in the chamber.
"Yes. It's identical."
"Doesn't look like much, does it?"
"Do they ever?"
"Let's see here…" The First Man tore himself away from gawping at the ring, shifted his gaze to the tiny note in front of the display. "Says here the ring is at least a couple hundred years old. First showed up without explanation in a small village where it…" The First Man gave a short, uncontrollable snicker before continuing. "…caused several women and men to develop inexplicable bodily alterations."
He searched the rest of the collection for anything else of interest, but nothing stood out except for a half broken-in pot with the image of a female with three legs painted on it. The middle leg was shorter than the others, almost like it was——
"Alright. What's your plan to steal this thing?" The Second Man wanted to know.
The First Man obliged by reaching into his carrier bag and retrieving a small bronze ring, identical to the one on display. He held it up to the Second Man, who couldn't help but grin back know