Rough Writing

John rubbed a shaky dirty hand through mussed hair as he looked down the dusty road in front of him. A gentle meow by his foot reminded him he was supposed to be on the lookout for the traders wagon. Chrissy wanted her treats and John needed information. In the distance the dust cloud floating up into the brilliant blue sky slowly came closer and closer. With the rumble of metal bound wheels crushing dirt the trader and his wagon drew near.

John was at least a mile outside of the small town where he had grown up and he had hoped to meet the trader and ask for something special without dozens of the other towns people watching. As a newly grown man who finally had his own land he felt a little foolish but he didn’t want any of his family to see him purchase something taboo.

John noticed the trader was different this time when the moving wagon pulled up. Tall and with a strong shaven jaw the trader sported a jaunty hat and a crooked grin. As the dust began to settle the trader said in a deep gentle baritone “I’ve a schedule to keep young man, what would you like to purchase here?”. The man’s accent was sharp and clipped and every word seemed to end with a small explosion of air. John was surprised, he had never heard anyone who sounded like this man. Recovering himself John replied “Well, I want a tab sir”. The grin on the trader’s face was replaced with a puzzled look. “You want a tab young man?” the trader asked. “I thought people in this zone had no such desires”. John shuffled his feet and said “It isn’t forbidden exactly, and I just want to know more about stuff, out there”. John waved vaguely out over the seemingly never ending grass.

“My name is Clark, Clark Gibson” the trader said quietly and then asked “What is your name?” “John sir, John Mcgee”. “Well John, I don’t have any new tabs right now but I can have the next member of Outer Circle Trader Inc. bring one on his next run” Clark said in a gentle tone. John’s face fell. “Are you sure you don’t have anything?” John asked. Clark replied “Well, the only tab I have is my personal one and I can’t readily give you that in these conditions, they do bond fairly tightly to their owners”. “Well, I want one, what do I need to do?” John said with determination in his voice. “What were you planning on trading with me when I got to town?” Clark asked. “I specialize in vibrant choka spices Mr. Gibson sir” John replied. Clark paused a moment and then while rubbing his chin said. “Give me your mark for 2kg of your next yield and I’ll make sure it is here the next time one of us comes through. You pay when you get it otherwise the mark is void”. John responded to the proposed bargain by holding up his hand with his thumb outstretched

Clark pulled a shiny plate out and gently spoke into it under his breath. He then held it out and John marked it with his thumb. “Thank you Mr. Gibson” John said. Clark said “No problem John, I wish you the best but I must continue on”. John was left with the dust along the trail as he headed home with a flutter in his heart. Chrissy began mewling so John picked her up and began the walk back home.