[network] @ASolomons; text, morning of 295; cw: borderline suicidal ideation [open]

[devoutish]

WEEKLY TRADE LIST

men's running shoes, large
hat with a brim
socks
sun hat
cloth torn into strips
can of soda
cans of beer
reading glasses
cases for glasses
mouthwash, partially used
various pillows
sleeping pills
a bottle
paper clips
foil
shampoo
various books
earrings
sewing kit
notebook
pen
underarm deodorant

Photographs available upon request.

[True to the title of the list, this is a weekly thing from Alfie, and has been for a very long time. It's really the only thing he does, these days, though he moves around less than he used to - he's in his early eighties, after all, and doesn't do very well walking outside for too long. He and Royce have claimed a couple of houses as their home base, and mostly, they search the buildings nearby. People who want to trade for the things he collects generally have to come to him to do it. It's not so much a thriving business as it is just something to keep him occupied.

The monotony of Norfinbury used to drive him crazy, back when he still had some hope that there was a way out of it. A couple of times, when he was much younger and still occasionally getting into trouble, he'd briefly entertained the idea of trying to start up a proper gang just for nostalgia's sake. He'd always abandoned the idea, and he'd never brought up the possibility with anyone but Royce - there weren't enough people that he trusted, or enough people period, to make it worthwhile. So now, he just does this. He collects items, and he waits to die. He wonders if a death from old age is something he'll be revived from.

God, he hopes not.]

Comments

@betterhalf; text

[darkincrement]

What kind of books do you have?

@ASolomons; text

[devoutish]

Fiction, mostly. A cookbook. The cookbook has got nice pictures.

@betterhalf; text

[darkincrement]

Fiction works.
Ever come across a can of tuna?

[devoutish]

Never, but I'll keep an eye out for one.

[Having a goal of some kind is always good - even if that goal is just a can of tuna.]

[darkincrement]

I have an extra knife, a box of condoms, and a laundry bat.

@quark; audio

[averytinyparticle]

Thank you very much for the list, Mister Alfie!

[Alfie still gets to be called "Mister". Always respect the elderly.]

I think I could use a few of those. Was thinking about coming and visiting anyway, we can see what I have that you like. Anything else I can bring you on my way? You're in the usual spot, right?

[He pauses, figuring that this goes without saying, but...]

And if you want me to run some of those to other people who are out of the way, I'm happy to do that too.

[devoutish]

We're downtown right now.

[It's a momentous occasion; they haven't been downtown in a couple of years.]

Yeah, we came down to get some fresh bread. But yeah, if you'll be a runner, we'll work out some form of payment. To be negotiated.

[averytinyparticle]

Oh, that's awesome!

[It's almost automatic to say not to worry about the payment, but these days it's felt better just to roll with the punches.]

Sounds good to me. I'll make my way down there. Maybe I'll be fast enough I can share some hot bread with you two. Found anything else good down there?

[devoutish]

Not this week.

[Still, he has in the past, and that's enough to keep him coming down regularly, month after month.]

We can stay for a bit and wait for you. Search some of the buildings we skipped over.

@dickcheese, text; you didn't see that fuckup

[headjacked]

how MANY cans of beer

[ Functional alcoholism has crept in over the last decade or so. Rhys convinces himself he stays sharp enough in the daytime. Usually. ]

@ASolomons; text; I see all

[devoutish]

Six in total, but I'll need to be convinced if you want me giving them all away to one person. That's a lot of merchandise.

[headjacked]

yeah but it's me !!

and i found this nice soft cardigan

[devoutish]

Three for the cardigan, and that's a very good offer.

[Alfie likes trying to drive a hard bargain - or any kind of bargain in general. The wheeling and dealing is fun for him, and in Norfinbury, he needs all the fun he can get.]

@godsend, text

[termineur]

Are the running shoes in size 12 or above? I could use a new pair.

[ And he'd also like to visit Royce and Alfie soon. Royce had sounded so worried (in his own way), and they both could use the occasional in-person reminder they're not alone in this town. ]

@ASolomons; text

[devoutish]

You're in luck, they're 12 exactly. Have you got anything to trade?

[termineur]

Perfect! Let's see, I have: Vicodin, fishing line, binoculars, various tapes (ask Royce if he wants any of those), an unused notebook, and three different colors of paint. Any of those strike your fancy?

[devoutish]

Show me some photos of the tapes.

@guardian; text;

[phaseshifter]

One pillow to keep the alcohol Rhys hasn't already bartered for away from him. Two pillows if you refuse to trade him any more in the future. I'm sure you have other buyers.

[ 8|||||||||| ]

@ASolomons; text

[devoutish]

Now, that's a very tempting deal. I could use two pillows.

[phaseshifter]

As I'm well aware. They're used, obviously, but still soft.
I can throw in a custom game app for you to sweeten the deal, if you like. A card game or something, maybe? It should help pass the hours a little.

[devoutish]

Have you got solitaire?

@Ecks | text

[ecks]

[Just as Alfie posts his list every week, Ecks posts her demand. She has stopped bothering to harass him in person; it's more habit than anything, a weekly reminder that one of the town's more murderous vigilantes remains mildly displeased with him.]

harmonica

@ASolomons; text

[devoutish]

How many years has it been, Ecks?

permatext

[ecks]

it has been four years, Alfie Solomons

[An eternity.]

permatext

[devoutish]

It hasn't, Ecks. It's been forty. We've talked about this before.