The Mall Pt. 1

I'm in an abandoned 80s small town mall. The stores don't have names, per se, just lists of the products they sell...PIZZA, CANDY, DOLLS, NEWS, etc.

It smells like 1981. I feel like 2011.

Everyone looks dirty.

The boys all have peachfuzz moustaches and camouflage bandanas wrapped around their heads. The girls all have Esprit clothing, pink lip gloss, and Molly Ringwald hairdos, which are available for $4.50 at HAIR SALON.

There's a boy standing next to me, looking up at me. He asks me to explain everything. The boy is the 1981 version of me, but with a 2011 brain.

"What is RECORD STORE?", he asks.

I explain to him that they sell music.

He wanders in, grabs REO Speedwagon's Hi Fidelity LP and laughs at how large it is.

"How do you listen to these things? Are they computers?? Do you really get every song on here for $4.99??"

I try to explain the whole vinyl etched groove thing, and I end up confusing both of us.

As we walk out, 6 year old Adam turns to the clerk and yells "Fuck REO Speedwagon in it's vaginal asshole!"

I like this kid's style.

(Next: I have to explain to him that the Jordache Look was actually appealing.)