As I walked down the streets away from the Cafe, I could see the lamp post flickering.
"Seems like nobody has fixed it yet," I muttered quietly to myself.
Usually, in these parts of the street, government properties are not cared for, and citizens who live here often fix them themselves because they need some way to see in the dark in this dangerous part of the city. The reason is that this district always has hooligans or gangsters destroying property for entertainment. And worse cases, some police officers often die while they are on inspection for property damage.
As this went on for a few years, they unfortunately gave up and gave the city to the hooligans and gangsters, and now there are territories within the areas and vandalism.
...
While following the street lamp, I spotted a large flea market from afar that usually operates at this hour; sellers come to this district to sell things. I usually dismissed markets like this, as I didn't have the cash to even buy anything there, but I decided to check out the market to pass the time.
After a few minutes of walking, I stood in front of the flea market, but for some reason, it looked way larger, and I spotted more silhouettes than usual. However, curiosity got the better of me, and I pushed the curtain aside, and as I gazed at the sight in front of me, my jaw dropped.
"GET YOUR ELECTRONIC DEAL UP TO 5%! ONE CHANCE TO GRAB THIS DEAL!"
"Look, man, I am telling you! I ain't bargaining with ya, I can't go that low, it'd run me out of business!"
"Come on! How about 100? Not, 90! I am sure it's a better deal for ya! I really, really need this device!"
"20% DISCOUNT ON APPLIANCES! GET NOW, OR ELSE IT'LL BE GONE!" The man was a blonde, bearded guy and had receipts in his hands showing that he had sold many items and was trustworthy. I noticed he was shaking his head frantically and talking like he had 20 cups of coffee.
...
I gaze at the surrounding view as tons of vendors weren't as populated here before! This isn't a flea market tonight, but a pop-up market! I read about these online a while back, but this is the first time seeing an event this huge in person. It's a once-in-a-lifetime event! And soon, I decided to step foot and take a look around.
I gazed around my surroundings and noticed many unique and interesting booths, but a small minority that specialized in some questionable merchandise that they were advertising. Some booths had merchandise from different districts, and some even from foreign countries. One stand I noticed was an exotic animal stand, which had many animals that I recognized as endangered or from foreign countries, and they were being sold off to people in suits. Was it really legal to sell endangered species? Well, likely not anywhere with law, but this district has no law, regardless.
I continued to move around, and I even took detours as some booths were way too crowded to get through, talk about a hot topic! After getting through some route, I eventually stumbled upon a booth that caught my eye.
"~Novelist Art~"
Now that is something interesting for me. It's not every day you meet another writer in this district, hell, ever get to meet one from afar! I approached the stand, and what caught me off guard was an elderly man who sang a tune that sounded soothing with his eyes shut.
"Well, this is unexpected! A first customer who is into the art of words, hm?"
I was startled when the elderly man spoke. I didn't utter a word, and I didn't expect him to notice me with his eyes shut!
"Well, you could say that."
I chuckled nervously and scratched the back of my head as I looked at the item he was selling. Many types of pens from many years ago, which is surprising because some of these are considered ancient relics, and there were even old book covers that were torn but kept intact despite the years, and full books which has author's name from the past engraved onto said books!
"Ohoho! Most of these antiques I collected are from days of old! And as you can see, I am somewhat of a collector, but I also need profit, and I only sell these towards those with a heart for the words of art!
Words of art? I never heard anyone say it before. It was then that I gazed my eyes upon a feathered pen on a quill pen stand with a signature engraved, 'Alexis Bjorn', and I immediately recognized it.
Alexis Bjorn an renowned author who has created many novels and won numerous awards for them. And he was the man who had me hooked on writing novels!
"Quite the eye you got, kiddo. Alexis Bjorn, a man whom many respected, I'd say he was the last greatest visionary of this century!"
The elderly man gazed at me and gave me quite a smug look. I didn't see any price tag on the item, and I opened my wallet to check if I had enough to buy this antique. And fortunately, I had about 120 dollars on me right now. And I grinned ear to ear and looked at the old man.
"Ohohoho! Quite the cash you got, I take it you want the greatest treasure of Alexis Bjorn?"
"That's right, so what is the price, sir-"
"120 Dollars"
I stared blankly for a few seconds. Did I hear it right? 120 dollars? That's literally my entire wallet! Hell, I'd give my wallet as a tip!
"Uh, sir, are you, um, sure it's 120 dollars? There should be a price tag right...?"
The elderly man smiled at me innocently, but my feeling of that innocence is that of a con artist! However, the items he sold were really authentic and difficult to replicate, even if someone were given the chance, since some authors requested items that belonged to them be made by specialized manufacturers. And Alexis Bjorn isn't the exception.
I thought of the two different choices I could make, 1, the item is indeed authentic, but I could walk away without taking it and losing the chance to have a merchandise and relic of my idol!
2, I could buy the item and risk losing all the money I got in my wallet and working to earn that money back again for who knows how long!
The longer I think about it, the more I notice some booths already closing, and I looked at the time to see that the pop-up market was already closing for the night, so I had to think fast. I looked at the elderly man one last time. He was indeed patient, but how much longer can he wait for me to decide with his innocent looks?
...
After a few more seconds of thinking and hesitation, I sighed and placed the money on the booth counter. And the old man smiled innocently even more.
"Ohoho! Very well, I shall take it that you'll buy it."
As the old man packed the merchandise into a plastic bag, I sighed once more and kept the wallet in my pocket, questioning my life choices. It seems in the end, I was still a heavy spender who doesn't know how to save and pick between wants and needs.
"But you know...I can tell you really enjoy stories, and I mean it."
The elderly man's words startled me out of my thoughts.
"Um...what do you mean?"
I was confused about what this gramps wanted to say.
"I am often told I speak vaguely to many, but that's a charm in my book, ohoho! Nonetheless, I can really tell you enjoy stories, and creation is a blessing. Now enjoy, and goodnight, kiddo."
The elderly man handed me the plastic bag. And it wasn't long, I just nodded in confusion and began walking away. What did he mean by that? But that wasn't as important now, the issue is how to get home and get to a bus station with no money, and that part is something I never thought about as well.
I slapped myself in the face and just pushed downwards as I sighed and began walking home instead.
"I really am an idiot."