A Purple Patch!

PETE CARNES' FIRST MEMORIES OF LIFE ON THE ISLAND OF ALPHA WERE OF THE ISLAND'S MARKETS. TO HIM IT SEEMED A MAGICAL PLACE. IT CERTAINLY LOOKED DIFFERENT FROM THE REST OF THE ISLAND.     HERE THEY BARTERED, THAT IS TO SAY THEY TRADED WITH ONE ANOTHER FOR THEIR VARIOUS NEEDS. THE ALPHAEN'S FORM OF TRADE IS EXCHANGING ONE COMMODITY FOR ANOTHER, ITEM FOR ITEM. IT IS THE ONE PLACE WHERE THE ISLANDERS SEEMED TO COME TO LIFE, TO LAUGH AND MEET…