Something Authentic | Part 3

Something Authentic is Season 1 of Kid8 Podcast. You can listen to Something Authentic on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Something Authentic Episode 3 is also available for purchase as an NFT on OpenSea. You can also support Kid8 Podcast by making a donation here.

Read Part 2 of Something Authentic.

A leathery man clutching a framed newspaper steps into the glare of the lights. He looks from side to side, clutching the paper to his chest.

You gonna show it to me?, the barker asks.

Leathery man holds out his hands, like he just got caught by his mom stealing from the Sunday collection basket. There it is, in screaming, bold print. Gore wins.

A first edition, he says.

What do you know about newspapers?, barker asks.

I know to read ‘em. And I know this one was wrong.

You know how many others were wrong?, barker asks.

Well, I think maybe a few other national papers called it for Gore before they took it back.

Right, barker says. But you know how many New York Posts got it wrong?

Leathery man shrugs.

Thousands. Hundreds of thousands. Maybe millions. You know what makes something worth something?, barker asks. I’m so close I can see the spittle clinging to the side of his lips. You don’t see that on TV. Scarcity, the little barker says. Scarcity. This ain’t scarce, I’m afraid. Might get five dollars for it at some yard sale. But hey, maybe it’s worth something to you.

Leathery man wilts and gets shoved off camera by little barker’s handlers. They look ready to pick the rags from his bones and they shake their heads in dismay as he blows off camera.

One more to go.

Thank you for reading Something Authentic, Part 3. If you enjoyed the story, you can support Kid8 Podcast by purchasing the NFT of Something Authentic Episode 3 on OpenSea, or by making a donation at venmo.com/kid8creative.

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Be sure to check out Episode 4 of Something Authentic, debuting June 22. You can learn more about Something Authentic here. You can also follow me on Instagram: @jhannan86 and @the_k1d_8

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