Chapter 114

Most people walking around the streets had dark-colored jeans with the potential to last up to a few decades of careful wear. Shirts were basic products for many years, and an easy creation to make thanks to many wool farms and other by-products from many places and businesses. William glanced around, taking inspiration to what he should wear. He also wondered what jobs and meanings were in those people in the streets, whether their jobs were important, or what else about them made them...well, not clean, but more up to date.

The warm environment of the Atlantic Ocean created a gentle atmosphere, unlike North America and the reality that William had known for a decade in colder months.

Winters were common to be harsh, even with what the Dawn brought. Thus, the deeper Canada wasn't the best place for settlements, but it sure had a lot of suitable compatibilities to pass the harsher winters. There, in a deep north where the vast nature was brutal, staying safe was fine with fewer numbers. In the warmer section, closing on borders with the former USA, all year-round settlements were best. That was a consensus stemming from many generations of camps.

William couldn't decide whether this place was too warm for his clothes if it would get colder, or if he was missing something important. Deciding on some direction at the last minute wasn't really his style, so walking around the shopping streets in the Central District left him in peace. He would decide his choice as he walked, though he bet Ellie would help him out.

There were shops with everyday needs, ranging from maintenance for some tools, to restaurants, or shops focused on custom goods. Clothes were common as William walked, holding onto a diary that he felt was, but interesting.

Citizens or refugees had all sorts of needs and a surprising amount of shops created many opportunities. Still, everything worked with money. Credits were a fact and no barter was usable. Luke ensured it by giving him some allowance so William wouldn't struggle too much, though he didn't know how many of them were good or not enough.

People and shops around the streets were familiar with the credits and how they worked. There were no arguments. People paid and shops were glad for it.

William, who had only a few credits in his pocket, felt confused and curiously looked around the shops as if he would find his answers. At first, he hoped to get some water first before checking some clothing workshops. Perhaps he would see something new there, rather than on people, which might be clever. Outside had rather simple matter and style, while this place was night different.

Maybe Ellie would help him much more than he thought. Again, her smiling face came to his mind, decreasing his worries about the clothing issues. For a whole second, that was.

How much was the business different from Roshwell camp? That was the first issue he considered when his mind returned to normal and his steps never wavered.

He soon walked into a street that he had seen before.

Wow. There are so many people, but no one cares about each other. I guess that is the same everywhere. Outside or the Federation, some things never change as far as people go and live. Everyone looks for themselves and their days, but at the core, humanity is still together because it is within us. Very humane indeed. William assumed the obvious.

Shop owners in the stalls served customers who were buying food or other products. There were even tea shops and spice shops, with families having their businesses or workshops, or being part of a collaborative company. People walked around leisurely, or at a faster pace to get where they wanted before going home, sleep, and began their cycle once more. Everyone had an identity where their lives mattered and time-wasting became unnecessary. Some walked in pairs, solo, and others were in groups.

“Oh, a premium clothing company?” William stopped, glancing at rows of buildings on one side. On his right, a big sign depicted his needs, built with bricks, regardless of purpose or what was inside.

Stalls were more open and fixed most of the time, even if they could recycle their main stays in a variety of streets unless it was too bothersome. Large open windows from some buildings gave openness, and a lot of people dined on the street on some chairs and tables. Stalls became restaurants where the meal arrived inside, but for William, nothing about them made much difference. The meal was a meal. Food was food.

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It was kind of a weird detail that William often omitted.

Meals were simple, yet how people ate and created this open space was another thing. Scents mixed and William wasn't sure what he was smelling or what he should look at first. Was it the ocean, meat, sauces, pastry, or just... the people?

His eyes shifted to many of them, eating their food, buying what they liked, or drinking what wasn't always free. Water was crucial for every civilization. Snacks, strange food, and many dishes could be grabbed by hand from the stalls quickly and efficiently, and those weren't shocking to see. They were either part of the restaurants since these stalls were no real stalls.

Most were like holes into the buildings with partial business outside on the street. True flexible stalls were on different types of streets, which made this one of the better shopping and eating experiences in the Federation.

Anyone could come, order, get food, and keep walking, or sit around and enjoy this paradise.

William was hungry, but his priority was overdue in a strange foreboding reality and vision. A big star symbol and the name: Star Clothes, were obvious enough to appease his target.

Walking inside the shop, there was a smell of wood, furniture, and something he couldn't understand. It was different from what he was used to. It wasn't unpleasant, or right and old either.

“Greetings, the young customer comes at a great time. Time is getting old and the shop is silent. Can I help you with anything?” An older-looking owner politely greeted William. Nicely dressed in a custom vest and shirt, his black trousers of nice quality went very well with a black jacket and the white shirt. His trimmed beard was gray like his receding hair, but his voice was firm and his eyes were sharp.

“Good evening, sir. I am looking around the streets and found your shop. I came to the Federation a day ago, if it isn't obvious, so I am looking for something new to wear,” William said what many others must have felt long ago, but he made it sound like it wasn't a big deal.

At least he pointed and looked at himself, and the old man agreed without much politeness. At least this young man had manners and went straight to the point without waiting or making some problems.

The old man laughed and quite liked such clients and youths who knew what they wanted.

“Another lucky person to get to the Federation? You aren't that young, so your opportunity must be great, or a fantastic change of pace, counting your clothes that had seen better days. Outside, I presume?”

“What isn't Outside? Well, yes. Canada to be specific.”

The old man whistled, thinking how the days must've changed over there. “Now, has that Outside changed? Back in my day, getting out was a decision that changed many lives forever. As I see you, suggesting a complete overhaul might be the best start. Maybe a new haircut too? Many consider this place their new beginning, so a change of pace like that isn't wrong or sinful. Many do it for free too, but a business such as mine is different. I work with quality goods, you see. Everything that you have right now is rather worn down and fit for reprocessing for free or for a credit or two. What young man has to say to that?” The old man figured William straight away.

William didn't feel anything wrong with it; he knew that respecting the elderly wasn't wrong. It might be clever. Almost. Well, a lot of the time, it was better than being stubborn to fools who grew old in this sick age. A man of this age must have experienced a lot, knew what his customers wanted with the naked eye, and made wise decisions afterward.

“I agree, but that's the issue, sir. What would the cost be? I don’t want to waste your time, sir. If it is too expensive, my credits have its limits. Business is business.”

“Young man has some good manners so I will go for the truth. I don’t do samaritan work, but I may give you a good deal for a simple full set for ten credits. It contains light clothing for the hot summer, which is right now. In the middle of the ocean, it is ideal. It has a shirt, optional trousers, or shorts with soft and quality fabric made in the Federation. Underwear is included, but not the shoes. Those are a little bit expensive and complicated to make.”

“Ten credits? I have no idea if it is cheap or not,” William carefully considered this option and looked around the shop. There were thousands of clothes. Many sets were even on mannequins made of wood. As far as he had seen everything, the price for a full meal was a single credit. At least in most stalls outside, most meals consisted of single meals for a person for no more than three credits.

For clothes that could last months and months, the price of ten credits sounded insanely good, even though William didn't know about the income of the credits or their value.

“Hm. Ten? I will probably take this offer then.” William accepted without too much thinking. When he thought about it, the credits he had should last him weeks, and if he considered meals found in that fridge, maybe his expenditures might be smaller than he thought.

“Young man does not have to be so fast in agreeing. I am not over yet. As far as I can see, your shoes aren't good either, and they are more expensive than clothes. Legs are an important part of everyday life because we walk and work in them. People wear shoes for the majority of the day. It is how we carry our bodies and business. Good shoes mean a good life.” The old man explained and showed William a corner with all kinds of shoes next.

Some were made from fabric, others from leather. All of them had sturdy bottoms that were hard yet flexible. It was either rubber or some kind of processed wood or soft plates. Everything looked clean and tidied up, and... in one piece, and without holes.

“Shoes seem more than what I can order right now.” William assumed and had no idea about their prices. Pretty much any goods had no listed prices. In most shops, owners or managers were there for that, or some helpful assistants arranged the haggling or careful listings.