The Shadow Trader

Short Trips #4.7

Released: 10 August 2011

Listened: 11/7/20

Like a lot of Short Trips, this one is just a little vignette intended to show off a high concept. The Shadow Traders of the title provide metaphysical reinforcement to great buildings and ships by using people’s shadows. Unfortunately, that leaves the donor without a shadow, which can have bad effects, and although donors are often voluntary, this trader chooses to steal shadows. Unfortunately, he’s chosen Ace as his victim, which doesn’t work out well for him. There’s a lot in this story that doesn’t get resolved, like the trader being considered a failure at his craft, but having a family obligation to continue. The story just kind of stops without resolving.