Bartered Novels & Stories

Rose took his hand and led him from the house. "We'll start on the north side, the children's area. With our hoods up the adults we see will treat us as if we're invisible. Kids, not so much. They may come up and greet us. We're a demonstrative group. There's lots of hugging and kissing here. The kids love strangers, so be prepared. Feel free to ask questions," she said. "Okay." "Are you aware we don't use money?" "Yes." "We barter and trade goods and services. Honey, as an example, is a healer. She trades her healings for things she needs. Autumn is a singer. She shares her songs and in turn we give her goods. Some people are growers. Some are builders. Get the idea?"

"Sean, can you lend me money? I promise to pay it back to you once I find a high-paying job. I just... I just need to pay for my mom's bills. Please?" "You don't have to pay for anything. Just be my wife."

Cole eases the situation. The man laughed like crazy then looked at us one by one. I noticed that he looked at Demy and me for a while and then smirked as if you thought his ugly face made him look good. "Let's barter. Food, guns, and ammunition, in exchange for your women." My brother's grip tightened on my arm. I'm nervous. My chest pounded so hard. "Bro," Cole chuckled and spoke disbelievingly, "that's not a good joke," he said laughing.

She sighed sadly and walked away crestfallen. (...) “Then we will move to the northern regions,” Barbara mentioned excitedly, as she liked to get to know new places. “Yes, before our money runs out and we can't afford the life we like so much. We will do business with some friends, I have everything ready and I even made a good investment,” he smiled sideways. “I hope this time it goes well and we don't lose any more money,” Barbara wrinkled her face and he took a sip of her whiskey. “We'll do business with powerful people, honey. Of course, in that region, you'll be my lady-in-waiting and you'll have to please some friends.”

Luca could see the sadness in her eyes even if she tried to hide it with her pretty smile. He drew closer and put his hand around her shoulder. He asked, "How much could one pay to make your father let go of you?" She laughed and shook her head, then said. "He is a stubborn man, and forget about your riches, Mr Luca, we don't use money in our world. There's nothing as money, there's give and take" "Do you mean trade by barter?" "What's that?" She asked with a confused but cute look. Luca didn't want to cause complications in the talk so he said to her, "You don't use money, I get it. So then, what can change your father's heart?"

The market began to fill with people who placed goods on top of surfaces which had been abandoned when normal trade became pointless under regulations that required authorizations for all trade while authorization fees were higher than the value of most items working-class families could afford legally. "Barter network," Henrik decided, exchanging barrel repair services for produce that had been grown in illicit gardens whose presence skirted agricultural prohibitions intended to keep food production out of government distribution systems. The illegal enterprise grew as the neighbors began to trade skills and resources on a requirement rather than on official prices that had made survival de

she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper, lost in the pounding music. The bartender, a young man with tired eyes, took one look at her and slid a glass across the counter. “Rough night?” he asked, his voice soft with concern. Sophia let out a hollow, bitter laugh. “You could say that,” she muttered before throwing the drink back in one gulp. The alcohol scorched her throat, but it was a welcome distraction—a burn that, for a moment, matched the fire in her chest.

A businessman always looks for profit—and Benjamin wasn’t about to let an opportunity slip by. Amanda suspected Barry might’ve been behind the car accident. Benjamin didn’t have evidence, but he had other ways to punish him. Barry was out of cards to play. He turned back to his uncle. Benjamin said casually, “Trade your eastern property for Carol’s hand. What do you say?” Amanda chuckled inwardly. Businessman to the bone. Always makes sure he comes out ahead. Barry nearly coughed up blood. He’d barely gotten anything from Benjamin—and now he had to give even that back.

- Well, theoretically you still owe me the repair of the Maserati, since I returned your payment. - I didn't ask... You returned it. Willingly. - Didn't they teach you to be grateful and that's it, Barbara? - No... - It was a joke about still owing me the repair. - Okay, can I pay... With a Bon Jovi concert ticket? I tried to play with him. - Or a good kidney? – he added. – Which one would you get rid of, Barbara? - From the kidney... Because I have two. – I didn't think twice.

A lingering moment seemed necessary. “Looks like you’re gaining a lot here,” I offered, my attempt to initiate a conversation and extend my stay. Surveying her room, I couldn't help but notice the opulence that surrounded her. Branded makeup items adorned her vanity, and luxurious bags were proudly displayed. It was a stark reminder of the glaring contrast between our lives. The message seemed to echo: "you're broke." A humbling and somewhat humiliating reality. “Of course,” Barra responded enthusiastically; her tone almost boastful. “I told you before. You should have applied here with me. For your information, I currently have five sugar daddies. Isn’t that great?”