Auction

Preface

"Auction" was born in my comfort zone, and, as often happens, it was initially unfinished.

This also happened with my poems. Often, a quatrain would come to me before sleep. Not relying on memory, I'd write it down and go to bed. Waking up, I'd sit at my desk and transcribe the poems "born" during the night. This is how my poems came into being, which I started writing at the age of eight.

Having transitioned into a prose writer, I began to jot down the first sketches of future stories in the same way. Then, I would complete them as the muse visited me. By the way, I must tell you that it's not a woman at all. And, like my comfort zone, the muse has no clear shape. It's more of a process that can be called inspiration or desire. After all, when there's no desire, texts are not born.

The same thing happened with "Auction": during a rendezvous with the muse, I wrote down the idea and hoped to develop it later. But the muse left for a long time and only returned now, at the very moment of writing these lines, which my phone is recording and dating with precision down to the second.

In the past, during such moments of a museless state, I turned to the collective mind through social networks, asking my virtual friends and followers to give me ideas for continuing work on this or that text. (An interesting thought: what kind of world is this where friends have become virtual? That is, unreal. Just like money in the banking system. Why do we need friends we can't feel? Why do we need money we can't put in or take out of a wallet? Why do we need a virtual life when death, in essence, is also virtual - we don't feel it, we don't experience it?)

This time, I decided not to share my thoughts with virtual people. I shared them with a real virtual intelligence. With AI. ChatGPT. And it (she or he) was so kind as to give a new direction to my creative thought (I even borrowed one image and a couple of phrases from them (all three)). I really hope that the AI is not watching me and won't sue me for copyright infringement.

I must note that, despite the limitations of AI's creative abilities (as it seemed to me, in terms of abstract thinking), our tandem was a success. Although, of course, it's not for me to judge. But for you.

Auction

You probably know that at auctions you can buy works of art, antiques, ancient artifacts, items that belonged to celebrities...

But there's another kind of auction. It takes place in an underground hall, shrouded in twilight and filled with mysterious whispers. Here, they don't trade in jewels or works of art. At this auction, human character traits, fears, emotions, feelings, aspirations, desires, and passions are put up for sale.

The front of the hall is occupied by a mysterious figure in a mask, embodying the Keeper of the auction. Silver stars on her dress reflect the light, creating the illusion of a starry sky.

"Dear visitors, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the auction of your own qualities! Here you can acquire what often remains hidden from prying eyes, but is so important in our lives," the mysterious voice of the auction Keeper sounds.

The first lot is "Fearlessness." A brave young man appears, ready to give this quality to someone who truly needs it. The bidding begins, and the hall tensely follows each bid, as if it decides the bidders' own fates.

With the next lot - "Patience" - a calm woman rises. She is patiently ready to give this valuable resource to someone who is in search of inner harmony.

"Patience" is followed by "Creativity," "Compassion," "Courage," and other qualities.

Each lot carries a story and an opportunity for whoever decides to acquire it. The auction of human qualities is not only about trade, but also about exchange, enrichment, and transformation.

All human qualities, be it "Fearlessness," "Patience," or "Creativity," put up for auction, are not just a finished product. They are the potential for development and change.

When a quality is acquired, it can undergo adaptation and evolution depending on the buyer's personality. For example, if someone buys "Fearlessness," it may start manifesting in new, unexpected situations that previously might have caused fear.

These changes can adapt to individual characteristics: perhaps a person acquiring "Patience" would prefer its expression in calm situations, while another would prefer to use it in difficult moments.

Such an approach to the auction adds dynamism to the process and allows qualities to become part of the unique journey and story of each buyer.

The needs of buyers and sellers vary. Some sell what they have in abundance. Others buy what they already have, but they don't have enough of it. Still others fill in the gaps in their set of qualities. Or they do a "cleanse."

It happens that a person gets tired of themselves. Of who they are. And they are ready to get rid of a quality that hinders them.

For example, a person who is too kind. Who is ready to give their last to someone in need. And when excessive kindness harms its possessor. When they have nothing to buy food with, nothing to pay the bills with - this auction is exactly what they need. Because there will always be someone who lacks kindness.

The auction of human qualities involves different situations and rules. For example, some qualities may be rejected, like donor organs or cells. Or the "implanted" feeling or character trait may start evolving on its own. And if it's not too late, you can return to the auction and sell the product that didn't suit you. If, of course, you haven't spoiled it yourself. Although, the lots at this auction have guarantees and even expiration dates. The lots are even insured.

How can you spoil a quality? An emotion? An ability? How exactly can a person influence (spoil or improve) acquired qualities? Perhaps through their behavior, decisions, or even internal conflicts.

For example, if someone acquired "Compassion" but suffers from negative influences and decides to give in to anger, this can affect the manifestation of the acquired quality. To some extent, a person can spoil their qualities if they don't pay attention to them or allow actions that contradict these qualities.

The idea of a guarantee or expiration date for human qualities doesn't make sense, as human traits are not material goods. But not at our auction: here, there is a "warranty period" during which the acquired qualities are promised to manifest in a certain way.

The expiration date may depend on the complexity of the quality and the influence of external factors.

This auction allows participants not only to sell and buy but also to exchange their qualities. If they are of equal value. For example, a person who acquired "Creativity" later decides that "Compassion" is more important to them. Then they can try to exchange their qualities with someone else at the auction. This creates an interesting dynamic that allows a person to form their unique combination of qualities, corresponding to their changing needs and life circumstances.

Some avid auction-goers have built themselves into what they wanted, creating a unique set of effectively interacting qualities. Some became politicians, others - creators, some - tycoons, and others - destroyers of worlds.

And although our auction is fictional, fiction is a part of our real life. After all, people tend to desire change - both in society and their environment, as well as within themselves. Because by changing ourselves, we change our reality. Or, at least, our perception of it.

And what qualities of yours are you ready to put up for auction? What would you like to acquire?

 

Dec 29, 2023, original (Russian) version