Bianca the Tarotist: "TRADE FOR TRADE" ...
Bianca reads the sign as she walks into the yard. There's an "Open" sign hanging on the door.
Bianca the Tarotist: Anybody home?!
She shades the glass on the door with her hands in an attempt to see inside.
Shopkeeper: You didn't drive here?
The shopkeeper emerges from the backyard. Her apron is covered in soil. She must have been tending to her garden.
Shopkeeper: Come on in. The door's unlocked.
Bianca pulls the door open. Its bell rings.
The thrift shop is filled with a wide variety of goods, each with its own level of quality—likely a result of the bantering among its customers.
Bianca the Tarotist: Ceramic clocks, rain boots, fans, diving gear ...
Shopkeeper: Even urns for ashes.
The shopkeeper doffs her apron as she enters from the back door.
Bianca the Tarotist: Oh, right! Could you help me see if this egg will hatch a chick?
Bianca produces a small basket from her waist that she weaved from the threads of her hem during the long walk.
Shopkeeper: Let me see.
The shopkeeper retreats before returning with a small flashlight.
She shines it into the egg, revealing the unformed body within.
Shopkeeper: Oh, I see it. It's growing, that's for sure. Are you planning to keep carrying it around like this? Some kind of new-age prenatal education?
Bianca the Tarotist: I just picked it up on our way here.
Shopkeeper: Better put it somewhere warm and safe soon. It won't hatch if it doesn't get the care it needs.
Bianca carefully takes the egg from the shopkeeper and puts it back in the basket.
Bianca the Tarotist: Why'd you open a shop all the way out here? You get many visitors?
Shopkeeper: Oh, I get a few from time to time, and they always surprise me.
Bianca the Tarotist: Does this count as a surprise?
Bianca nods to the egg in the basket.
Shopkeeper: Oh, not at all, young ladies. I'm a godmother to many children.
Shopkeeper: There are more kids born on these roads than you'd think, and I just so happen to have some medical know-how.
Shopkeeper: As for why I opened the shop ...
The shopkeeper strikes an elegant pose, as if on camera.
Shopkeeper: When you begin a journey, no one knows exactly what will happen. Embracing the unknown can be a lot of fun.
She looks fondly at the items in the shop.
Shopkeeper: Each piece in this place holds a fragment of a traveler's life.
Shopkeeper: It's like I'm living in a different movie every day.
Bianca the Tarotist: What was the first thing you traded for?
Shopkeeper: That's a question I hear a lot.
She opens the cash register and pulls out a wad of bills.
Shopkeeper: When I exchanged a roll of toilet paper for this, I thought, "Hey, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
Bianca the Tarotist: Oh, I thought it'd be something a little more heartwarming.
Shopkeeper: This is the real world, kid. But I'm not just about money—have a look around. I never ask for much.
She flicks on the overhead lights, and the place lights up.
Bianca the Tarotist: You're not worried about trading for stuff nobody wants? Like this microscope?
Shopkeeper: Oh, well, someone might need that to examine the leaves up in the mountains. Everything has its use, right?
Shopkeeper: They all find their way in the end. I don't stress about it.
Bianca scans the shelves. There are all kinds of oddities.
Mercuria: Bianca, I think this'll suit you.
Mercuria's voice rings from the shelf near the shop entrance.
Bianca the Tarotist: What?!
Mercuria: A dress.
Bianca follows the sound to find Mercuria holding a gown from the shelf.
It's a bold, vibrant red dress with a backless design that would make its wearer the center of attention at any party.
Mercuria: It's beautiful.
Bianca the Tarotist: Yes ... it's beautiful ...
Bianca takes the dress from Mercuria, draping it over her shoulder to see how it looks.
Bianca the Tarotist: But when would I wear it? I can't do tarot readings at the market in an evening gown.
Bianca the Tarotist: It's not really me.
Bianca examines herself in the mirror, picturing herself dancing in the gown at a disco.
Bianca the Tarotist: It's a bit too much.
With a hint of pity, Bianca hangs the dress back up.
Bianca the Tarotist: Let's look for something else.
Bianca the Tarotist: Oh!
Shopkeeper: You find something you like?
Bianca the Tarotist: Not yet. Wait, this is ...
Bianca picks up a necklace from the shelf. Its chain is rusted, and the photo inside the locket is speckled with black spots.
Bianca the Tarotist: This is the necklace Dexter's been looking for!
Mercuria glides over.
Bianca the Tarotist: How the ... what ... Is this what you expected, Mercuria?
Mercuria: This is the path you chose, Bianca. I've merely followed you.
Bianca the Tarotist: Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God! I've actually found Dexter's necklace that's been missing for ten months! How much is it?
Fully immersed in the joy of her discovery, Bianca quickly looks for the necklace's price tag.
Bianca the Tarotist: It's a free gift?
Shopkeeper: What did I say? Every item serves a purpose for someone in the world.
The shopkeeper smiles warmly, perhaps genuinely happy for Bianca's delight.
Bianca the Tarotist: So, does that mean we can just take it?
Shopkeeper: It means you have to buy something first.
The shopkeeper's joy turns into the satisfied smile of a farmer with a barn full of wheat.
Bianca the Tarotist: Okay, then let's pick out something else.
Bianca searches the shelves, looking for something that won't be too bothersome to take back with her.
Bianca the Tarotist: This ceramic clock? It's a bit heavy.
Bianca picks it up, weighs it, and puts it down again.
Her eyes keep landing on the red dress, but she continues to peruse the shop.
Bianca the Tarotist: Rain boots? Probably more comfortable than my heels. They can be kinda heavy, though.
The allure of the red dress persists, but she has virtually no occasion to wear it.
Bianca ducks her head below the shelf to avoid seeing it again.
Bianca the Tarotist: A fan? That'll cool us down for the rest of the trip—if it doesn't need electricity, that is ...
Mercuria: Bianca.
Bianca the Tarotist: Huh?
Bianca stares at Mercuria who has picked up the red dress once again.
She can practically hear the spell-binding pitch about to leave Mercuria's lips.
She needs to speak up before she's convinced—maintain some semblance of control.
Bianca the Tarotist: Fine, fine, I'll take it.
She gives in completely.
Shopkeeper: Just follow this road, and you'll get to Fresno pretty quick. You might even be able to hitch a ride.
Bianca the Tarotist: Thank you!
The shop door swings open, and out step Mercuria and Bianca, wearing the red dress.
Bianca the Tarotist: This dress, Dexter's necklace—it's all kinda nuts.
Bianca is still riding the double high of finding the necklace and getting the dress she wanted.
Mercuria: So, where are we headed now?
Bianca the Tarotist: Fresno.
Mercuria: Let's go.
Bianca the Tarotist: Let's.
Bianca strides forward, the movement of her dress revealing a pair of glossy black rain boots on her feet.
