On 8th Avenue South, between South King and South Weller Streets, is a non-descript warehouse. One can easily overlook the flour spilled on the wet sidewalk outside, the corrugated aluminum garage door, and the various materials that comprise the same wall on 8th Avenue: brick, (faux?) marble, and plaster. The corporate front office is located at South Weller Street, where the words “Tsue Chong” jut out from the (faux?) marble wall in large, brass letters. Miniature blinds shade the windows and the door swings in both directions to let people in or out.

The fragrance of sugary dough hovers over the entire block.

The northern portions of the warehouse are constructed of brick. Behind the glass plate windows facing South King Street are evenly spaced, rusting bars that imprison the confections inside. Peering through the flour-dusted windows one can see a refrigerated case holding bottles decorated with bright colors, a drab, off-white counter upon which sits a tired cash register, and several shelves holding large, clear bags of thin, circular objects that resemble cookies.

(You can guess what caught my attention.)

An eight- by eleven-inch sheet of paper is taped above the shelves and, in Times New Roman font, reads “Unfortunate Fortune Cookies”. Underneath, in simple and neat handwritten print, is the phrase “5 pounds for $6.00″. There is no further explanation.

A small sign reads “PUSH” on the glass door (which, incidentally, also has a skeleton of iron bars). Upon closer inspection of the bags, one sees that each bag contains malformed fortune cookies. Most are folded, but not in the characteristic shape: Some are twisted; some feature an overly acute angle; some are missing one half of their form; many are cracked. Most of them contain the slips of paper that foretell the future; many of these cookies seem to be sticking out their thin paper tongues at passers-by. On top of these unfortunate fortune cookies are the cookies that failed to fold at all; they are instead grapefruit-sized circles.

Five pounds (2.3 kilograms) of fortune cookies occupy the entire volume of a standard plastic shopping bag.

They’re delicious, but there are way too many cookies. (I don’t know what I was thinking.) I am sharing the wealth—and the fortunes.

The fortunes, each adorned with an ornate black rose, I have thus far collected:

• Good news is coming soon.
• You will receive constructive advice today.
• The time is right to buy yourself something nice.
• All the troubles you have will pass quickly.
• You will meet a new friend.
• The future will bring romance.
• Something special is coming your way.
• Good opportunity awaits.
• You will go far, but be sure to come back.

As with many things, it’s what’s inside that counts.