CarrollBlog

The sad sweetness of an outdoor flea market or neighborhood block party that is being held on a rainy day. The few people there all seem to be hunched over-- both the sellers and the buyers. Display tables are covered with big sheets of transparent plastic to protect the goods. It's almost impossible to see what is underneath them. Or the things for sale are so worthless that they've been left uncovered and are getting soaked. The vivid smell of grilling food no one is buying. The many picnic tables that have been set out are all empty except for one very thin man smoking a cigarette. A woman is playing old pop songs on a small organ. "Come on Baby, light my fire..."
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The shoe store that never appears to have any customers has decorated its display window with many brightly colored posters announcing "The New Spring Models you've been waiting for have finally arrived! Come on in and take a look."
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Three very hard looking fellows are walking down the street with that "Don't mess with us" aura to them. One is walking a young pitbull on a leash. The dog is frisky and jumping around, getting in the way. The guy finally has enough of her shenanigans and growls, "Alicia, behave yourself!"
Alicia?