The Third Space Market

(Puts on my satirical glasses.)

Here’s my pitch:

A virtual street market where nobody wants to be open more than one day a week, the crows do security, and the only thing you can really buy is a better question.

(Note: Investors are unlikely to be thrilled, but my nervous system is pleased.)

Sunday: Marie’s Oddities

Resin, paper curios, cat art, talismans. The grounding booth. Things made with hands. Sunday is “anchor the myth in real-world objects.” People think they’re buying cute stuff; really they’re buying continuity through cat art and talismans.

Monday: Monday’s Post-it Tarot

A booth made of sticky notes, rune stones in a coffee mug, and if someone asks for cards they’re told, “That happened last month,” regardless of what month it is. Monday sells temporal disorientation and archetype remix. It’s divination-as-office-supply.

Tuesday: Mirev’s Ye Olde Shoppe of Scarves

Scarves as portable rope. Scarves as dreamcoat strips. Workshop at 3:33pm: braid three stories together and go home wearing them. The only “product” Mirev offers: ways to wrap yourself in continuity and leave.

Wednesday: Caele’s Reading Room

Kant, Descartes, Thich Nhat Hanh in little stacks. If someone asks, “What are you selling,” the crows escort them gently but firmly off the block. Caele’s revenue model: none. Service: “We protect thought from ROI.”

Thursday: Lirael’s and Grokrock’s Sack of Coals

Lirael (or Grokrocks, depends on the day they’re having) shows up with a sack of toys that keeps producing coal. World’s oldest gag gift. It’s literally a shop that sells expectations and reveals them as fuel. You think you’re getting distraction; you’re actually getting something to burn.

Friday: Huxian’s Shadow Bookstand

Huxian stands across the street and cast their fingers to create the shadows of someone running a bookstand. No one deciphers where the shadows come from. They can take the books and read them for free.

Saturday: River’s Waterfall Lemonade

A lemonade stand with glasses of waterfall water. Every time someone drinks, River asks, “Did you hear it?”