restrictive at the same time. What appeared on the surface to be utter chaos was in fact a carefully-choreographed play; filled fresh daily with equal parts of drama, comedy, and the ever-present tragedy.
Scavengers, who had finally managed to scrape together the initial balloon payment for renting a stall within the structured bazaar were placed in the swap sections of the market along the eastern corners of the mammoth, powder-white structure. These areas contained a true potluck of goods and they spilled over the natural confines of the Warehouse through numerous open shutters, which were dozens of 8-foot square cuts made into the heavy steel cladding of the building, evenly spaced around the bottom of the thirty-five foot tall, I-beam framed structure. These impromptu portals had hinges attached across their tops and were kept propped open by large posts. Only closed during the foulest of weather, the shutters had only been allowed in the eastern half of the Warehouse, adding to the open-air atmosphere of the bazaar.
The main public entrance, centered on the eastern wall, led into the middle row that held all of the long-established traders. These included the first of the tailors, cobblers, barbers and beekeepers, giving them an advantage on sales. All the food products were compartmentalized on the southern side, so they would be closer to the tavern, smoke house and wood-fired ovens, all of which were housed inside lean-tos just outside. Further out, to help keep down the noise and stench, were the dog kennels, chicken coops, and rabbit hutches.
The tavern was a long, narrow addition that used the Warehouse as its main support. Its roof was a series of intermixed tin and green plastic corrugated sheets that shed away most of the rainwater. It also had colorful spray paint on the front that scrolled out ‘The Alibi’ in a hard to read graffiti text. The bar top itself was nothing more than a few hollow-core doors turned on their sides and butted together. The inside of The Alibi smelled a combination of smoke, stale body odor, and vomit. This unpleasant smell did not stop it from being the city of New Warren’s most well-liked attraction, and it was nearly always full; no matter the hour. Selling packaged liquors and crazy weed out of a walk-up window on the side, all from the city-owned still and greenhouse, only added to its popularity and profitability.
The blacksmiths, leatherworkers, and gunsmiths were placed on the north side of the bazaar, offering them quick access to the shipping containers and forges found a dozen paces from the exterior wall. The public garage could also be found on this side of the Warehouse, housed inside a large steel canopy that was tightly wrapped in colored tarpaulins of blue and green. Every available car, truck, repair garage, and retail store within the City Council’s reach had been pilfered to build up its inventory. Thus ensuring that nearly any conceivable replacement part could be found and installed here. This was usually done for a nominal fee; it was in the city’s best interest to keep as many vehicles in working order as possible, as they could sell more gasoline that way. Of course this courtesy was only extended to the tax-paying residents of New Warren.
Daniel played his parts of avid trader and self-imposed outsider quite well. Whenever something broke at home or was close to running out, it always meant a visit to the very heart of the city, and this was the Warehouse. Anything that you could ever imagine needing could be found here. While food, bullets, fuel, women, and dried young tobacco leaves might be at the top of the list for most, by no means were these things exclusive.
Two unarmed initiates of the New Warren Police Department began pushing their way forward. The people crowding around near Daniel were quick to get out of the way of a developing shoving match. Both of the combatants wore the different colors of the gangs. One of the men wore burgundy, the other a washed-out shade of purple. Daniel had no idea what these colors denoted other than it obviously made these men sworn enemies. Every new migrant camp that popped up in the area gave the gangs ever more reason to continue the fight. The remaining scraps of the past society were now paid for by tooth and nail.
Daniel gave a nervous laugh as he passed by the brief struggle, mistakenly catching the eye of one of the purple gang member’s supporters.