He slunk through the busy market, his head down. He wasn't the only shadow hesitatingly making their way through the throng. While this area was not exactly a "black market," it was definitely an area where undesirables felt a little more at home. Many slunk in the shadows like he did, and some strode confidently like a lion on the savannah. Hunter and Prey, all were welcome here as long as they brought cash. Despite the heavy number of enemies and high-strung nerves, fights were few here. Fighting was bad for Business, and the mini tycoon who watched after these streets bowed to only one authority and prayed to only one god: the almighty dollar. Anything that was bad for business was... discouraged.
Those who ran the actual shops and stalls were all of one kind. Black, white, Asian, they all held the same flat, tired expression as they fought to keep their heads above water. Most of these folk were more or less law-abiding and tried to stay out of trouble, but for whatever reason, they were forced to keep their heads down and were unable to open up shop in a more respectable part of town. Some were illegal, some were barely able to rub two pennies together, and some had a past they were trying to forget but never forgot them. Here they were welcome so long as they understood who actually ran this piece of town and got their rent. As long as no one caused a fuss, no fuss was brought to them, and for some, that was more than they had ever been able to hope for in the past.
He made his usual rounds in this market, exchanging his small coins for bills and buying some food and drink. He kept the ease of opening the packaging in mind as he shopped and bought little by way of perishable items. A few people knew he came from the sewers and wrinkled their noses in disgust as they washed their hands and whatever he touched, but they would not turn away his money, and a handful looked almost pleased to see him. Everyone needed someone to look down on. Someone to look at and think, "At least I have not sunk that low!" He knew and he understood. It gave people a tiny spark of relief, of hope, of happiness, and he would not take that away from them when they had nothing else.
The evening's shopping trip ended at the newspaper stand on the corner. The last of his spare change went to buying one of every newspaper and tucking them in a bag. He had learned the exact amount for everything, and when he returned to the abandoned building, he had exactly ten dollars left over. This he handed to the homeless man on the corner. Everyone needed someone lower than they were. Then he disappeared down the hole and retreated to his home. For while it was not glamorous, at least he had one.
