Hunter Gatherer

By Burton Gray

Walking into my local Wal-Mart is so exciting. I never know what to expect. My heart quickens as I walk through the DVD section, rows of colorful boxes, shiny display cases, the music aisles. I see so much that I want. I pick things up and look at the artwork, the track listings, the prices. I continually recalculate the total as I pick up or replace items weighing desire against cost. Sale items catch my eye but really I’m most interested in what’s new. Computer speakers with a sub woofer in a new green box on sale for less then I paid a year ago for just the speakers. All Beatles albums on sale, I have to take advantage of that. I watch the televisions I can’t afford, briefly consider getting one for my kids birthday but that wouldn’t  be appropriate. And after rationalizing a few other options decide to move on to why I came here in the first place - to get the just released Modern Family season one blueray DVD set. I feel a warmth of anticipation, I know my life is going to change for the better.

Waiting in line at my loacal Wal-Mart is a foreign experience. The other customers stand inches away, close enough to smell but not to touch. I begin to wonder, who are all these strangers living in my village?

A lady buys a candy bar for her chubby child. Should we allow her to spoil her child? A mother with a herd of children tells two of them to put back toys because “they cost too much money.” Should children be taunted with desire? Will anyone question aloud when this same mother is buying a stainless steal trash can?

No.

THE END?