If you skipped the author's note, shame on you, and ... first version of chapter 17 is now trash, but I'll leave it up. New Version follows.

I stepped out of the pawnshop with the money burning a hole in my pocket. I now had proof of concept and was mentally kicked myself for not starting up a new rune or popping another broken something on my repair station at home. I'd been too excited to make some cash to think things through, not a good habit to get into in this more dangerous world after the trials. I decided to worry about it later and focus on investing my new wealth now.

I did some mental math on how far away I was from my next stop, and decided to call T for a ride.

"What's up?"

"Morning, sunshine. Wanna go to the mall with me?"

"Get our hair did and hang out at hot topic, hard pass. "

I couldn't help but chuckle. "Fuck you, T. I'm talking about the Bizaaro Mall, you know you love that place. "

Crossland Reclamation Bazaar Street Fair and Flea Market was just outside of city limits to dodge the sales tax and regulation a more civilized store indulged in. It had started as a farmer's market in a couple of empty lots before I was born, and now it was an amalgamation of homemade, knock off, stolen, and used everything. Nobody ever called it by the name on the billboard, to locals it was the bizaaro mall. Unfortunately, even revealing the destination wasn't enough to get T on board.

"Sorry, dude. The 'rents flipped on me over yesterday. I'm stuck at home till school opens back up. "

"What are they mad at you for?"

"Being part of a failed generation? I don't know, but I'm on house arrest for now. "

"They're at work right? Come anyway, you'll be back before they are. "

"And the house system will rat on me as soon as I step out the door. No thanks. You just want me for my car anyway. "

"Awww, c'mon. You know I get lost in your big brown eyes, my chocolate moose. Playing chauffeur is definitely secondary."

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

"You're a dick, Chris."

"Smooches."

"Screw you. "

I shoved my phone back in my bag and headed for the bus stop. You could ride for free with a student ID, and with a couple connections I could get within walking distance.

It felt like it took forever, although only 2 of the 3 busses smelled like BO and piss, so it was a more luxurious trip than I'd expected. When I finally made it to the bizaaro mall I couldn't help but detour to my favorite stall before I went shopping for real.

The meanest dog in North America was crouched snarling on top of a battered metal toolbox/cash register sitting in the middle of a battered folding table. I knew better than trying to pet the chihuahua. Every time I'd been here, that beast had been in the same place equally aggressive. The pit bull puppies the old lady was actually selling though were awesome.

Just like every other time I pretended to be a customer so I could scoop one of the little buggers up and pet it while 'checking it for quality'. I'd given up on hassling my mom for a dog when I'd gotten old enough to realize we couldn't afford the fees, but man I really wanted a dog.

After a while, my face being sufficiently licked, I told the old lady I had to think about it and escaped deeper into the mall. I knew she knew I wasn't buying, but she was always willing to let me fake it so I could play with the puppies.

I used to come here when I was stressed, play with the dogs then wonder around the mall and look at all the cap I couldn't afford. This time I had cash, and after the doggos I was moving with a purpose.

The stand I was looking for wasn't exactly where I remembered, but after a little exploring I found it the next row over. There was an electronics repair shop and I made eye contact with a middle eastern guy with an absolutely epic beard.

"Welcome, you need new phone, yes?"

"I need new phone, no. "

"Gaming rig, top of the line, better than new. "

He was talking so fast it was hard to tell him what I actually wanted. I couldn't tell if he was just desperate for a sale or if that's just how he was but I held my hands up in a hold on gesture.

"I..uh..I want broken electronics. "

"No, no broken electronics here. Everything I sell, is guarantee. It breaks you bring it back here, but it no breaks. Top quality merchandise." He pointed up to a screen printed yellow banner with Top Quality Merchandise written in red hanging from the top of the security cage around his booth.

"I'm sure it's all great stuff, man." If had an entire piss smelling bus ride to come up with a story. "It's for an art project. I'm deconstructing man's fascination with the ephemeral nature of expensive electronics that go obsolete. I want to find really expensive pieces that are all busted up beyond repair. You got anything like that?"

"Is not free."

"Nothing s free. I've got cash, what do you have?"

After some haggling I spent 200 bucks for a large cardboard box full of what used to be 'top quality merchandise.' My revenue stream was now secured.