March 2012: The Rag and Bone Man (2012)

From Introduction:

The Rag and Bone Man was once a fixture of city streets, trading bits of rags, bones and scrap metal to later sell to factories that would melt down into raw material. The niche for the Rag and Bone Man’s industry existed because many people lacked the means to haul their own scrap away or transport such material away from their homes. A similar trait follows the homeless, who travel the streets picking through garbage for any recyclable materials to sell. A true Rag and Bone Man, however, is one who makes a business out of this endeavor. In the event of a zombie apocalypse, a civilization can be brought completely to its knees. A person who dedicates their time to picking through ruins to fi nd useful things to sell or trade is not only a viable profession, but in some cases a necessary industry in and of itself. A group of survivors will often find a Rag and Bone Man as a welcome sight as they can potentially barter with them in order to fi nd any supplies that the survivors themselves have been unable to find. Less scrupulous people would rob the Rag and Bone Man, but this would be akin killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. A Stronghold might find it in their best interest to provide amnesty and protect Rag and Bone Men, for giving them the ability to search the nearby area for useful supplies and offering their wares for sale or in exchange for a safe place to call home.