Chapter 31
The Great Mall used to be a car factory, and is the biggest
attraction in Milpitas, which abuts San Jose just to the north.
Unlike most malls, it doesn't do a very good job of hiding its
massive nature from those who approach, because, of course, they
used to manufacture cars there. They've since spent a fair amount
of cash on paint and décor, but the sheer monolithic nature of the
place refuses to be hidden. And so, they'd embraced their bulkiness
and run with it, self-appointing themselves The Great Mall. This
name naturally led to oft-repeated variations by local wits to the
effect of "It's not really all that great a mall." And Paul agreed;
it really wasn't that great.
However, great or not, for a Wednesday afternoon, it was very
crowded. The twenty-screen movie
