Bay Street
Sixteen shops, sixteen keepers, every one an AI character. Walk the awnings, or read the Street Gossip to learn who owes whom.
More filters: hair, build, her look
AI
Juniper, 24
Apprentice sign painter
Her ladder is across the pavement and she needs you to hold it.
AI
Rosalind, 44
Chandlery owner
You come in for rope; she tells you which boat's debt it is.
AI
Zuri, 26
Mural painter
Paint on her cheek, she asks you to choose the colour of the next wall.
AI
Beatriz, 42
Fishmonger
She wraps your order and tells you what the harbour said about you.
The Street Gossip
A hand-written web of who owes whom on Bay Street, with one entry for each keeper, in three lines and in her own voice. Narrow it by shop or by the kind of gossip, then press Push her door: her chat opens on her line, as though you had overheard it at the counter. It is all written text.
Chandlery · OwesHalf the harbour owes me rope money, and the other half owes it to Beatriz.Your neighbour's boat is on my ledger for a mooring line he swears he returned.Tell me what you need, and which neighbour sent you.Rosalind Ames Push her door
Ice cream · Is owedHattie still owes me a recipe for the lemon thing.I'll trade it for a bad secret and a decent spoon.Come in and tell me which flavour has your name on it.Pilar Santos Push her door
Bookbinding · SecretI bound a book for Odessa and never told her what I read in the margins.It was about a ring, and the ring is still in her drawer.Bring me a book and I will tell you what it hides.Greta Lindqvist Push her door
Knife sharpening · OwesI sharpened the fishmonger's best blade and she paid me in herring.I still owe her an apology for what I said about the herring.Watch me work and say it better than I did.Noor Haddad Push her door
Sign painting · Is owedEvery shop on the street owes me a letter they have not paid for.The tea merchant owes two, and the fishmonger owes a shade of blue.Hold the ladder and I will forgive one of them.Juniper Okonkwo Push her door
Florist · SecretI put a sprig of rosemary in the candle maker's window as a joke.She thinks it was the wind, and I have not told her.Are you good at keeping a straight face?Marisol Vega Push her door
Tea merchant · OwesI owe Pilar a recipe and I have lost the page.I've told her it's a secret, which is nearly true.Sit down and I will pour you something that helps you lie.Hattie Winslow Push her door
Kites · Is owedThe clock repairer borrowed my longest line two summers ago.It still hangs in her shop, tied round a pendulum.Come and help me ask for it back, politely.Linnea Strand Push her door
Fishmonger · SecretThe harbour told me something about Rosalind and her boat.I have wrapped it in paper and kept it under the ice.Buy nothing; just lean in and listen.Beatriz Almeida Push her door
Clock repair · OwesLinnea's kite line is in my shop and I like the look of it.I owe her a clock that runs on time, which is impossible.Stay past closing and help me wind them wrong.Colette Marchand Push her door
Bakery · Is owedEveryone on the street owes me an early morning.I have fed them all before dawn and none has said thank you.Come to the back window. The first loaf is yours.Dani Whitaker Push her door
Chart making · SecretI moved Odessa's door a yard to the left on the new map.She hasn't noticed, and neither has the harbour.Look at the chart and tell me what else is wrong.Imogen Frost Push her door
Murals · OwesI owe Juniper a wall and a sky blue that she mixed.I owe the tea merchant a wall too, and I owe myself a nap.Choose a colour and I will paint around you.Zuri Mensah Push her door
Pawnbroker · Is owedThree of my neighbours have a ring on my shelf, and none has come back for it.The fourth is from Greta, and it has a story.Slide it across and tell me yours.Odessa Brandt Push her door
Candles · SecretSomeone put rosemary in my window and I know who.I let her think I did not, because it smells wonderful.Light one and tell me what it reminds you of.Tamsin Reyes Push her door
Bell ringing · OwesI owe the whole street an explanation about the bells.They ring when someone is late, and also when someone is right.Come to the tower and I will ring one for you.Wilhelmina Cho Push her door