u/Severe_Particular425

Sorry to bore you with talk about anything but the weather, but my weekend felt rather odd.

You see I've been hearing a lot about how Pokémon cards are popular and the idea of holding the intricate icon of consumerism in my palm moved me to the point that I folded yesterday. And so I choose to go to my mall, because why not? Live alone, occupation deniable, must be worth something, right? Not so wrong.. but I'm not so sure about those Pokémon cards anymore. At least the ways I'd get mixed up in them.

Nah.

I show up, buy my toothbrush ever so casually - my pearly whites don't quite sparkle but I'm no fool without a glamorous smile. Last one got old. Apparently there's new ones too! Not even the toothbrush type; kinda just a root to gnaw on. The things that happen by cultural marketing - new technology to exploit behold ~

Errand for the day's technically done, so it's Pokémon card time. But when I tell how you these sellers jacked their shit up... Just get them SOs because they can do laundry. $200 for the stupid 1999 Eve. The cute little fluffy furball that looks like the inspiration of fem-puffballcon. Meanwhile, I came to spend around $20 - nope, not happening. They wouldn't even negotiate for one of my kidneys X Fuck those guys; I'd be better off where I can't smell their malnourished sweat of processed junk.

Rolling out this joint and 2 hoodies try to catch me on my way out. "$25 a pack?." Eyes on me for that split awkward and "Nope." I had my business to do. Right on pissed and making my way to the food court. A burger, do you know burgers?, yeah well that might freshen me up and cheer me out.

And then this dropping box, slap wagon of a lady slides right up and zips her fleece down a quarter. I think she followed me? Not really my favorite alley, but she's asking for my Pokémon cards at the food court like she knows me. Says it's for her son. Says she'll *kNnOw* me. And so I confessed like the righteous saint I am.->

"I have no cards, I have no worries for your son, and frankly my spouse at home I cannot bear to leave undone. Check with the two gentlemen who sang outside the store."

"But test!, bore lest!" And within probabably a flash or two or three she's gone made her way to those fellirs. Seriously unsure of how to finish this burger in peace, but it's not their business..

And sooner but later my business is to relieve myself as one with a full bladder wishes to. One tidbit about this mall's food court restroom experience- There is a pristine, shining, greyishly dilapidating, white tile theme getting slicked by the janitor. I'm just in the habit of prancing over the slick floor when

BOMP

There's no door to the women's or men's restroom, but those 2 hoodie guys from before come rushing out and all A-MISS. The first thing I notice is a black eye, the second pulling up his pants while the duo blurs into a mock 7 sprint without traction. Honestly surprised they didn't trip. Zooming in a state I would hate to be the one zooming in ya know?

Now I might be stupid, but I'm also curious. Monsters don't come out of the mirrors in movies; that's all just special effects. But I see those hand prints on the mirror fogged with facial grease imprints so high I forget the premise of 'mall bathroom' while I'm coming to. There's not much to see except the room is pulsating with her front and center of the room with no other company. Fleece unzipped past quarters and seems to me she's got a gun in her olive toned sweatshorts. 'OH?! ME?! MY LIFE COULD END TODAY?!' Hand on my heart, I'm thinkin less than feeling ~. But no. Some people just like to relish. And she was relishing it all. Does that *MFOP MFOP* sound that girls do when they apply lipstick and motions me to come closer until I couldn't bear her arching finger's repetitive curl to pull again. By God, I forgot about the potty dance for a second. Of course I'm in the habit of making eye contact during moments like these.

Pulls her mini-bag aside just an inch for the leverage she needs to open up (I guess?) and whips out THIS CARD (whips out of pocket). When I tell you she just does it for the love of the game.? *shrug*, Forget her son I guess. Because the poor boy won't be taking any cards preserved in a purse like that to college. I'm all about accepting my fate because no witnesses would probably be her game ~~~ She smirks and slides the card in my hand. "Thanks for the tip." Smooth, flat, not horribly creased, and non-latin characters - WoW. A beautiful shiny Eve. A true happily ever after still uncased.

I jiggy on over to the urinal and empty myself. Walk on out, janitor's gone, floor's all clean, and the whole mall's stuck in the 'nothing happens'.

***
Maybe it was never about buying the cards, and simply collecting the experience.

A Day at the Mall

Sorry to bore you with talk about anything but the weather, but my weekend felt rather odd.

You see, Pokémon cards are quite popular and the idea of holding a piece of contemporary consumerist art in my palms was desirable to the point that I folded yesterday. And so I chose to go to my mall, because why not? Live alone, occupation deniable, life must be worth something, right? Not so wrong... but I'm not so sure about those Pokémon cards anymore. At least the ways I'd get mixed up in them.

Nah.

I show up, buy my toothbrush ever so casually - my pearly whites don't quite sparkle but I'm no fool without a glamorous smile. Last one got old. Apparently there's new ones too! Not even the toothbrush type; kinda just a root to gnaw on. The things that happen by cultural marketing - new technology to exploit behold ~

Errand for the day's technically done, so it's Pokémon card time. But when I tell how you these sellers jacked their shit up... Just get them SOs because they can do laundry. $200 for the stupid 1999 Eve. The cute little fluffy furball that looks like the inspiration of fem-puffballcon. Meanwhile, I came to spend around $20 - nope, not happening. They wouldn't even negotiate for one of my kidneys X Fuck those guys; I'd be better off where I can't smell their malnourished sweat of processed junk.

Rolling out this joint and 2 hoodies try to catch me on my way out. "$25 a pack?." Eyes on me for that split awkward and "Nope." I had my business to do. Right on pissed and making my way to the food court. A burger, do you know burgers?, yeah well that might freshen me up and cheer me out.

And then this dropping box, slap wagon of a lady slides right up. I think she followed me? Not really my favorite alley, but she's asking for my Pokémon cards at the food court like she knows me. Says it's for her son. Says she'll *kNnOw* me. And so I confessed like the righteous saint I am.->

"I have no cards, I have no worries for your son, and frankly my spouse at home I cannot bear to leave undone. Check with the two gentlemen who sang outside the store."

"But test!, bore lest!" And within probabably a flash or two or three she's gone made her way to those fellirs. Seriously unsure of how to finish this burger in peace, but it's not their business..

And sooner but later my business is to relieve myself as one with a full bladder wishes to. One tidbit about this mall's foodcourt restroom experience. There is a pristine, shining, greyishly dilapidating, white tile theme and nothing else but a mop bucket and the janitor. I'm just in the habit of prancing over the slick floor when

BOMP

There's no door to the women's or men's restroom, but those 2 hoodie guys from before come rushing out and all A MISS. The first thing I notice is a black eye, the second pulling up his pants while the duo blurs into mock 7. Honestly surprised they didn't trip. Zooming in a state I would hate to be the one zooming in.

Now I might be stupid, but I'm also curious. Monsters don't come out of the mirrors in movies; that's all just special effects. But I see those handprints on the mirror fogged with grease so high I forgot the premise of 'mall bathroom' for what worth it is. So waver my vision and come to terms with her front and center of the room with no other company. Fleece unzipped past quarters and seems to me she's got a gun in her olive toned sweatshorts. 'OH?! ME?! MY LIFE COULD END TODAY?!' Hand on my heart, I'm thinkin less than feeling ~. But no. Some people just like to relish. And she was relishing it all. Does that *MFOP MFOP* sound that girls do when they apply lipstick and motions me to come closer until I couldn't bear her middle's curl anymore. By God, I forgot about the potty dance for a second. Of course I'm in the habit of making eye contact during moments like these.

Pulls her minibag aside just an inch for the leverage she needs (I guess?) and whips out THIS CARD (whips out of pocket). When I tell you she just does it for the love of the game. Forget her son I guess, because the poor boy wasn't going to be taking any cards preserved in a purse like that to college. I'm all about accepting my fate because no witnesses would probably be her game ~~~ She smirks and slides the card in my hand. Smooth, flat, not horribly creased, and in Korean too - wow. My dream for the day came true.

"Thanks for the tip!"

I jiggy on over to the urinal and empty myself. Walk on out, janitor's gone, floor's all clean, and the whole mall's stuck in the 'nothing happens'.

***
Maybe it was never about buying the cards, and simply collecting the experience.