What would you trade for a moment you've lost? 💫 'The Time Merchant' welcomes you into a mysterious shop that appears in the spaces people try not to see, nestled between a bookstore that closed thirty years ago and a café that won't open for another decade. Here, Marcus trades in moments - childhood summers preserved in mason jars, first kisses trapped in perfume bottles, and peaceful retirements wound into pocket watches. As the keeper of time's delicate balance, Marcus helps desperate souls exchange what they have for what they've lost. But with each trade, his own memories slip away like smoke, leaving him to question the price of maintaining time's equilibrium. When an old man arrives seeking to trade his retirement for one perfect dance with his late wife, Marcus begins to unravel the true nature of his role - and the sacrifice it demands. 🕰️ Through swirling timestreams and shifting realities, this enchanting tale explores the value of memory, the weight of choice, and the true cost of trying to change the past. Perfect for fans of magical realism and thought-provoking fiction who love stories that bend reality and touch the heart. ✨ Enjoy our stories? Please consider a donation https://ko-fi.com/thelisteninglamp #TheListeningLamp #TheTimeMerchant #MagicalRealism #ShortStories #TimeTravelFiction #MemoryAndTime #AudioFiction #PodcastFiction #StorytellingPodcast #PhilosophicalFiction #MetaphysicalStories #TimeAndMemory #WeeklyPodcast #FictionPodcast #ShortStoryPodcast New episode streaming now on all major podcast platforms or visit https://thelisteninglamp.com 🎧 Keywords: time travel, memory trading, magical shops, metaphysical fiction, reality-bending stories, time manipulation, philosophical fiction, memory and loss, magical realism, short stories