‘So where is the door to Sears?’ Jane said. I walked out a few minutes ago after taking the escalator to the first floor. Now I can not find the door I came out of,’ Jane continued. ‘Remember, Chet, we were talking about SIU and the new class in the fall semester,’ Jane mentioned. ‘It was a class in the Home Economics Building,’ Jane prompted Chet to recall. ‘When I did not see you, I looked behind me, and you were walking into the Theatre, Jane continued. ‘The Exorcist was playing, and you kept talking about how badly you wanted to see it, hoping it did not give you nightmares or cause you to have psychological difficulties,’ Jane said pleadingly. ‘I can not find Neva J nor Billy B anywhere in the Mall,’ Jane whispered. ‘Something has changed; we are different,’ Jane noted. ‘I am excited to find a decent word processor; I will use it in my new classes at University,’ Jane promised.

‘Where are the kids?’ Neva J asked with a laugh. ‘This happens every time we come to the Mall,’ Neva J continued. ‘I know Jane was going to Sears to look for a word processor, and Chet wanted to see The Exorcist, but I have no idea where Billy B was going,’ Neva J mused. ‘I will look for Billy B in Walden Books. He loves. Soon we will eat lunch in one of the Mall’s fine restaurants,’ Neva J thought. ‘I bet he is in Wick’s and Sticks looking at the Tom Clark Gnome Sculptures,’ Neva J said with a grin. ‘Billy B lives for those statues of Gnomes and Witches, Hobos and Hobbits,’ Neva J laughed as she walked toward the store. ‘Where did Wicks and Sticks go?’ Neva J said in amazement. ‘It was right there a moment ago; now there is some type of funhouse with flashing lights and loud sounds. ‘ It’s full of kids laughing and playing mechanical games,’ Neva J mused quizzically.

‘Man of Man, where am I?’ Billy B said under his breath. ‘Sears store is empty,’ Billy B said with trepidation. ‘The four Theatres are gone, and in their place is a shoe store,’ Billy B continued. ‘I still have Witch Hazel, the Tom Clark Sculptor, and Enoch the Farmer, but where is Elizabeth the nice proprietor of Wicks and Sticks?’ Billy B said with some dismay. ‘I went to JCPenney, and they no longer carry televisions,’ Billy B said, rubbing his eyes. ‘I wanted to talk with Chet about The Exorcist. I cannot find him or the Theatre Where he viewed the movie. I do hear him crying softly,’ Billy B whispered. ‘ Jane is sitting on a couch holding a bag with a picture of a word processor; she looks frightened,’ Billy B continued.

‘The silence is deafening,’ Chet said. ‘There is nothing here, no laughter, no singing, no excitement about Christmas,’ Chet mused. ‘I found a photo of Jane purchasing her word processor and Neva J going to Walden Books.’ ‘I am alone but do not feel alone; someone is with me,’ Chet said.