Gapers Block has ceased publication.

Gapers Block published from April 22, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2016. The site will remain up in archive form. Please visit Third Coast Review, a new site by several GB alumni.
 Thank you for your readership and contributions. 

TODAY

Friday, March 29

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Airbags

On Friday evenings, I'll look around at the tired faces in the train station waiting for the 5:58 to Fox Lake to start boarding, and I wonder what they're thinking. Surely, many are longing for a glass of wine and some time with their families. But maybe some of them are thinking about a different kind of Monday morning, when instead of trucking into another man's office, they head to their own office, shop or creative space. Because I know that sometimes, that's what on my mind.

UNIQUE ARTIST LOFTS! In Chicago Arts District. Photographers, artists, designers and architects welcome. Hardwood floors, 11'-13' ceilings, great natural light. $725-$1095, heat included.

All Cerra needed was her laptop, a cell phone and her frequent buyers club card at the coffee house around the corner. But what came with her was a dorm fridge full of vodka minis and her father's voice in her ears.

GARAGE, PRIVATE STALL. Addison and Southport neighborhood. One year lease. $150/ month.

He only needed it for one month. A day, actually. A few hours. But it took him six months before he turned the car on and rolled down the windows. It took ten minutes for girl who had the stall next to his to pull him outside. And it took them another four years to feel safe enough to start dating, although they never could come up with a cover story that explained how they met.

EVANSTON DOWNTOWN OFFICES. 243-XXXX sf. Rent starts at $185/ month. Imperial

It was a little more than his parents gave him for spending money, but just enough to cover the rent. Torey hauled up a desk from the basement and put it by the window in his "office." He spent hours watching the world float, trip and scream by. Sometimes he watched how the girls with their shopping bags could walk backward so easily. And how the men on their cell phones walked like the pigeons. But mostly, he just smoked and watched the clock.

OFFICES FROM $175/ month. Lincoln Ave near Peterson. 109 to 2000 sq ft. Daily janitor service. Parking. All utilities included in rent. Imperial Realty

Nicola wanted to go large. Tom wanted to start very small. They settled for something roomy on the 2nd floor near the elevator. They guy who had it before them had loved salt and vinegar chips. But within two months, they'd framed a photocopy of their first check, which paid for the first year's rent, a case of Veuve Cliquot – and a deeper cleaning than the night janitor cared to do.

If you're looking to take your classified reading to an artistic level, then check out the School of the Art Institute's exhibit, I Saw You, based on the Reader's missed connections.

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About the Author(s)

Shylo Bisnett loves ironing, baking and gardening. She just married a pretty cool dude. Let her know what you think about Public Notice at .

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