The first rays of sunlight barely touched the market stalls when Jenna Roland finished setting up her booth. She adjusted the T-shirts on the display rack with practiced ease before settling onto the small stool behind her counter.

The first customers arrived quickly—three young women browsing through her selection. Jenna stood to greet them, enthusiastically pointing out different designs.

Then a woman in her fifties shoved through the group. Her faded floral blouse was wrinkled, dirt still caked under her fingernails. Lydia Lombardi grabbed a white T-shirt without looking. "How much for this rag?" she barked.

"That's premium cotton, ma'am. Fifty-five dollars," Jenna replied with a professional smile.

"Fifty-five?" Lydia screeched. "You think I'm stupid? This flea market junk isn't worth half that!"

Jenna's smile froze. In six months of street vending, she'd never encountered such rudeness.

"The fabric won't pill or stretch. My wholesale cost was thirty. Fifty-five is very reasonable," she explained through gritted teeth.

Lydia threw the shirt on the ground. "Pah! I could buy three pounds of pork for that!"

The two browsing customers hastily put down their selections and hurried away. Jenna's hands trembled with anger at the lost sale.

Tanya Hill from the adjacent shoe stall waddled over, her plump frame radiating indignation. "Hey lady, either buy something or stop harassing her!"

"None of your damn business!" Lydia planted her hands on her hips. "These crooks need to be exposed!"

Tanya's temper ignited. "Cheapskate! Can't afford fifty-five? Maybe you should walk around naked!"

Their shouting match erupted instantly. Every time Lydia tried to retort, Tanya drowned her out with louder insults. Nearby vendors began gathering, adding their own commentary.

Jenna watched the spectacle coldly. "Calling you 'ma'am' was too generous. Save some decency unless you want karma biting your kids."

Just then, the woman minding Tanya's stall came rushing over.