Jacob's Cave Swapping Days - Landwehr

The Great Trade-Off

One man's trash is another man's treasure

By: ABIGAIL LANDWEHR

PRESS START

Hello!

And welcome to the Jacob's Cave Swapping Days!

What is this place?

Not sure.

But a pamphlet is as good a place as any to start.

Not sure.

But a pamphlet is as good a place as any to start.

Hmm...

Looks like someone left a newspaper ad in this brochure.

Hmm...

Looks like someone left a newspaper ad in this brochure.

There's something else here too.

A pin!

There's a map on the back side of this brochure.

Hmm...

Looks like someone left a newspaper ad in this brochure.

Try clicking on the red one to visit a booth.

There's something else here too.

A pin!

Those markers are different vendors at the swap meet.

Let's visit another booth. One of these should have a goat.

... right?

Click on the red marker to visit another booth.

Let's keep moving.

What's next here?

That was a close one.

Maybe we should ask the next vendor if they've seen any goats nearby.

Fingers crossed this is our last stop.

Well you have your goat!

Do you:

Take your new friend Billy the Kid home?

or

Risk one more trade for the big reward?

COME HOME BILLY

Now maybe your hardest choice yet...

REWARD OR BUST

Seeing it through!

Billy the Kid respects that.

But one last trade requires one last question.

How much does parking cost at the swap meet?

See, that wasn't so bad.

How much does parking cost at the swap meet?

Say goodbye to Billy!

Goodbye!

Woah!

Okay, you deserve it.

Click on the chest to see your reward!

Woah!

A tractor!

You know what, that's actually a great swap.

Now you have a ride wherever you want!

Each character is based off of a real vendor and interview at the Oct. 6 Jacob's Cave Swap Meet.

Joke Estrella

RonSchardan

Graphics created with Adobe Firefly.

Photos, reporting, and game by Abigail Landwehr for J4462.

Drew Frost

DafneyVazquez

PLAY AGAIN?

Hooray!

He's more than happy to come home with you.

Aside from a few socks that were devoured along the way-

-it seems you two are destined to be friends for a long time!

Don't worry.

The flamingo is fake.

If you were wondering, it does come included with the plant.

So you sell plants?

What is that one back there?

That's right.

I've set up shop here for the past six years. I actually own a greenhouse too.

Good advertising.

Oh, I saw you looking at that flowery plant over there.

That one is called a hibiscus. I think they look pretty fun.

I'd be willing to trade if you're up for it.

Hey, that would match my flamingo perfectly.

It could make some cool decor for the outside of a pot.

You're right.

Let's make a trade.

I just want to do my due diligence first to make sure you're a serious swapper.

Just answer me one easy question:

Which swap meet is known for being the biggest in the Midwest?

The flamingo is a nice touch.

Which swap meet is known for being the biggest in the Midwest?

And we're proud of it!

Alright kid, here's your hibiscus. Flamingo included too.

Isn't it fun?

Take good care of it.

Hey fair enough.

And don't let it dry out. Good luck!

Yes sir.

Thank you for your help!

Well hello.

Feel free to take a look around. Let me know if you have any questions too.

What are you selling?

Seen any goats nearby?

Yes, actually!

There's a family with five kids nearby. They raise and sell animals here as extra income.

I saw the wife looking at one of my dresses earlier too.

Would you be up to trade?

Any sort of clothing you can think of.

Hey fair enough.

Everything in this trailer is handmade.

I've been crocheting my whole life. My mom taught me everything I know.

That's a beautiful dress. Would you be willing to trade?

Of course!

What did you have in mind to trade?

Oh, hibiscus was my mom's favorite kind of flower!

Alright, I need it. Let's trade.

I've never seen plants at the swap meet. It's amazing just how many things can be sold here.

What's normally available for sale or trade at the swap meet?

(You can choose more than one response)

Impressive.

What's normally available for sale or trade at the swap meet?

(You can choose more than one response)

Quite literally anything and everything.

That much closer to the goat!

I'll be sure to water it.

I hope your next booth visit goes well!

Thank you!

Enjoy your plant!

Oh yeah, the rabbit?

I came with about 24 or 26. Didn't sell any of 'em until yesterday.

You interested?

Yes please!

I think I'll pass...

Actually- hold on.

I think I have a better deal for you anyway.

I started out with seven goats and only have this guy left over.

He isn't named

... yet.

Hey fair enough.

Hey. Fair enough.

I have a better deal for you anyway. I started out with seven goats and only have this guy left over.

I think I have a better deal for you anyway.

I started out with seven goats and only have this guy left over.

He isn't named... yet.

He isn't named

... yet.

Normally goats will go for about $150.

But he's at $100 since he's the last one. I just don't want to take him home.

Or...

we could trade.

My wife would love that dress!

I think we can work something out!

Hey fair enough.

I just want to make sure my goat is going to a good home.

If you can answer this one question-

-he's all yours.

When was the first small animal swap held at Jacob’s Cave?

Oh wow.

When was the first small animal swap held at Jacob’s Cave?

Great work!

It's an actual goat.

Here's your goat as promised.

Woohoo!

Take good care of...

Well, I guess you still need to give him a name.

...Billy the Kid?

It's not going on my vet bill.

Oh no.

It's the puppy booth.

No wonder the line was so long.

Hurry. We have to go before his eyes guilt you into taking him home.

Aw man!

Hi there!

Are you lost? Or did you just see something that caught your eye?

Where am I?

What are you holding?

You're at the Frank's Meadowlands Swap Meet!

Hey fair enough.

I'm a vendor. This is my second year here.

I originally started with doing macrame, but it was pretty time consuming.

I make bracelets with silicone beads.

This is one of them. I love how much variety you can have.

Would you like to trade me for one?

Yes, please!

What would you want?

Great!

What do you have that I could I trade you for?

Hmm...

What do you have?

Well...

I have this pin that I found earlier.

Hey wait!

My grandpa used to have a pin exactly like that!

Huh! It actually fell out of a pamphlet.

That's so interesting.

Did it say how many visitors are here this year? I've seen plenty of new faces around.

How many visitors are at the Jacob's Cave 2024 fall swap meet?

How many visitors are at the Jacob's Cave 2024 fall swap meet?

Oooh.

How pretty!

Wow!

Alright, here's a bracelet for you.

Nice!

I can't wait to give this to my grandpa.

Thank you for stopping by. I hope you find what you're looking for!

Thank you!

Goodbye!

Pamphlet on swap meet as intro, let people read answers ahead of time. Include map as overall way to travel to other vendors