Alan loved antique clocks and had a very impressive, expensive collection.  His grandfather had given him his first one, and at 44 years of age he now had 126 rare clocks worth well over $560,000 in total.  Alan saw an ad on Craigslist for a clock that he didn't yet own - it was a one of a kind, made in Germany in the 1920's.  The clock was listed at "Best Offer" by a man named Earl.  Alan contacted Earl via email and offered him what Alan knew to be a very good price for the clock -- $4,600.  Earl was very excited because he didn't think the clock was worth that much, so he quickly emailed Alan, accepted his offer and set arrangements for Alan to pick it up upon payment (occurring simultaneously).  However, when Alan arrived at Earl's house on the day and time Earl requested in the email, Earl would not accept Alan's money and told him the clock was no longer for sale.  Moreover, he said "we don't have a written contract anyway."  Alan comes to you, an attorney, for advice.  Can you help him? Write up your best, most comprehensive (meaning case law too - there is one in the text that applies) argument for Alan.