CarrollBlog

Even when it's not in the direction I'm going, sometimes I'll make a detour to look in a certain display window nearby. The store sells cheap silver jewelry and electric trains. The jewelry is sold by an old Sikh who wears a turban and always sits in exactly the same place, glowering. On the other side of the store, a blond fat man sells the electric trains. He always appears busy arranging or dusting his small wares, which only adds to the frown of the old Sikh who never moves. A few years ago the place sold only electric trains, but I guess things went sour in that singular business and the owner of the store had to find a partner to share the rent. Now and then what appears to be the Sikh's whole family is sitting in there with him. They are almost always eating. Jaws moving, the old man continues to glower. The train man arranges. I cannot remember ever having seen a customer in that store.