Well, just buy it!

I’m weaving my way through a crowd of eager shoppers. The sales are pumping adrenaline. Shyness has been trampled. I get the feeling most people are playing it safe. The store brands mean nothing to me. Helplessly, I search for some connection to the items on the long list from my wife. Masses of bodies block the view of the displays. The only landmarks are meaningless signs.

I need a map... a flyer... no!

“I need time to...” I dart toward a symbol I recognize from the bar.

I didn’t see him. He was in a hurry too. Our heads collide with a resounding thud.

“Ow,” I clutch my forehead.

“Can’t you see?”

“Sorry, but...”

“Where are you rushing to?” He rubs his bald head.

“Does it matter?” I wave dismissively.

“Actually, it doesn’t,” he chuckles.

I take a step forward.

He steps into my path.

“I’m seriously in a hurry!” I clench my fist.

“Why?” he pulls a face.

“Are you okay?” I glance into his bloodshot eyes.

A retro Hawaiian shirt, buttery skin tone, khaki teeth, and a few golden hairs claim a split second of my attention. The rest of me focuses on the wild gymnastics of his facial muscles. About five emotions flash across his face in one second.

“Of course,” he smiles.

“Sure! You know... I’d like to talk to you, but... I don’t want to,” I bolt.

Our heads collide again, with a familiar thud.

“Ow,” I grab my forehead.

“What will you do now?”

“What?!” I rub the growing bump. The yellow man is starting to scare me.

“I’ll shop,” I point to the list.

He puts on oversized mirrored sunglasses. Data flicker in their reflection. As he reads, another thirteen expressions cross his face.

“Just nonsense. What do you need that for?”

Two small mirrors reflect the stupidity of my expression.

I think about...

“Now shop!” he spreads his arms.

“But s... l... o... w... l... y.”

I feel like my beard grew while he spelled it out.

Everything around me takes on a sharp yellow hue. Plaster avalanches fall from the walls. People and brands vanish. Alone, in the skeleton of what was once the pride of the city.

I must have eaten something bad. Something that...

“Looking for something, young man?” a woman’s voice calls from behind me.

I turn quickly.

“Don’t be afraid,” she brushes sweaty hair from her face and smiles.

“I’m not, just... where am I?”

“Where? In a store,” she flashes yellow teeth.

What’s with all the yellow? I didn’t have eggs for breakfast, did I?

“I see. And what do you sell here? These two mugs?”

“Reputation, son. I sell reputation,” she uncovers one, releasing a puff of steam.

“Oh. Right!”

I need to get out of here! I must slap myself awake! Now! The hand approaching my cheek resembles a satellite. Its impact seems light-years away. I have plenty of time to acquaint myself with the herbalist granny.

“What are you sprinkling there, ma’am?”

“Gossip, envy... all sorts,” she stirs a mixture resembling molten tallow.

“Hmm. And then it’s done?”

“That’s right,” she uncovers a smaller pot.

“Is this also reputation?”

“Yes. This one’s good,” she licks the spoon.

“So the bigger one’s bad?”

The hand! Hurry up!

“That’s right.”

“Well, that doesn’t add up, ma’am. Not to critique your business plan, but shouldn’t there be more of the good one? And... who’d want to buy the bad?”

“Oh, dearie. Bad reputation sells better than hot death.”

“Hot what?”

“My husband sells that,” she points to a stall across from us.

Dear God. It’s the man who brought me here.

“Your husband sells death?” I shake my head.

“We’ve got it divided. I’m more into herbs; he leans toward meds,” she runs her hand through her gray hair.

“But... he sells it. That means people buy it... who’d want to buy death?”

“Everyone.”

“But why?!”

“It’s business, after all. Something for something,” she nods.

“That’s absurd.”

“Young man, if death seems too expensive today, wait for the sale. Just hope it’s still available. Besides, he sells other things too. Star dust for wounds, pills of forgetfulness...”

“Enough! I don’t want any meds.”

“I knew you’d be more into herbs,” she smiles.

This woman seems rather crafty. Caution!

“For good customers, I have kids’ goods too,” she winks at me.

Toys make up most of the list. Asking doesn’t hurt.

“Here you go, young man,” she bends under the counter as if reading my mind.

“Gravel?!” I shake my head at the full bucket.

“Oh no. These are seeds. This one’s malice. Here’s humility,” she shows a white pebble.

“Well... honestly, I expected something...”

“Everyone expects something different. That’s why it’s crucial to sift through and carefully choose which to sow,” she hands me the container.

I hurry home. No bags, but with four stitches on my forehead. Shopping has never been my strong suit. But today, I made an excellent deal. I bought a future. In my palm, I clutch a few small pebbles for my kids. Death doesn’t seem so expensive anymore...