“I don't know what I am going to do with myself tomorrow,
Pauler.”
“You don't?”
“It's the first Saturday since August when there will be no
football games.”
“Poor lamb.”
“I’m desolate. Just think, not one college football game until
the Bowls after Christmas, I’m bereft!”
“I know what we could do to take you mind off your sorrows,
we could go shopping! Christmas is just around the corner. We could shop
together. It would be fun.”
Silence. Complete and utter silence.
“Shopping in New York City is an adventure. It’s a worldwide
attraction. You think all those tourists come to NYC for the history? Not on
your tintype. They come here to shop.”
“Terrific.”
“Why Macy's attracts 20 million visitors a year while the
Statue of Liberty gets less than four.”
“Who cares.”
“Just think about Macy's. It’s still the world largest
department store.
You know that statue in Straus Park? Why it’s dedicated to
former owners Isidor and Ida Straus who died in each other’s arms on the Titanic.
Isn’t that sweet?”
“Sweet. Yes.”
“Oh Jim, think of the sacred shopping traditions observed each
year! And we could actually participate in the most revered! We are right in
time to share in the Christmas rituals of buying presents for our loved ones.”
“You've got to be kidding.”
“There are so many rituals. Too bad we missed Black Friday.”
“Isn’t that Black Tuesday?”
“No that s when the stock market fell. We observe Black
Friday to prevent that ever happening again.”
Small groan. “ I don't care anything about this. You know I
hate shopping.
I can’t bear to enter a department store!”
“I can tell you where to find the most charming boutiques in
the Village very near English teashops and small patisseries. “
“I m watching the news. You can stop now.”
“You would love Chelsea Market! It's located in a renovated factory. It
retains all the amazing ancient equipment beautifully preserved just for shoppers to look
at. And there’s a butcher shop there named Dickson just like my mother’s family. And I
know how fond you are of them. We could have our picture taken under the sign
and send it home to Ohio.”
“This is ridiculous! Why are you carrying on like this?”
“Gee, I can’t imagine.”
