The Trading Post was as an oasis in the arid American South. Its dilapidated decor was designed to lure customers in search of nostalgia. Enthusiasts of highway lore and lost travelers alike would stop by and drink in Jack’s cool smile.
Jack perennially sat behind the register, chewing tobacco and waiting for someone to sell his “authentic souvenirs” to. In fact, he was the only authentic curio of the Trading Post. His mass-produced wares were the corporate vision of America’s collective memory. He sold fictions of a nonexistent era.
Jack knew this. His customers knew this. And yet, they came.
Written for this week’s Friday Fictioneers. It has been a decent while since I last wrote about the weekly prompt. I figured it was about time for another go!
PHOTO PROMPT © Jean L. Hays
Word Count: 100
Rafiki's Nikki 
Its been said better than i can, a fine tale of one side of modern life
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Thank you
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I love that Jack was the only authentic curio! Well written.
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Thank you very much!
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Ha. A good (hi)story is almost the same as placebo… works without reason.
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“In fact, he was the only authentic curio of the Trading Post.” Gosh I love this line… very well done!
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Thank you very much!
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Dear Nikki,
Love the descriptions, particularly of the character of Jack. Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow, thank you very much! It means a lot to hear praise from you 🙂
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Good work and very true – tourists will buy anything that looks remotely authentic! 🙂
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Yup. I’ve definitely fallen victim to the allure of faux authenticity haha
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A wry acidid vision. I love the line that Jack was the only authentic curio
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Thank you 🙂
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Yes, it’s suitably cynical. 🙂
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Thanks! and thanks for reading 🙂
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A little too close to reality, I say! (You might want to change costumers to customers… just a little dyslexic typo – happens to us all!)
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Oh wow! Thanks haha
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