INSIDE WAL MART

We entered the Wal Mart through a double set of sliding doors. An elderly monkey boy in a blue vest greeted us with a nod. To our left was a dining area, to our right aisles of registers. Ahead were rows of merchandise, clothing being closest.
"I'd like to wander around a bit," I said. "How about I meet you back here in a bit?"
"Okay", replied Jim and he took off into the maze of goods.
I began by exploring the men's clothing. Jeans, slacks, tees, shirts, socks. and more. All the labels indicated they were from overseas.
I moved on.
Kid's toys, hardware, cooking utensils designed to do strange and abusive sounding things to ones food. It was all the same. All from overseas.
I made my way to the food section. Here most items were unmarked as to point of origin. I presumed most of the foodstuffs were packaged here, though I did spot canned meats labelled "A product of Brazil."
Finally I made my way to electronics. Televisions from China, recorders from Korea, DVDs from factories in Mexico.
"Not like when I was a kid," came Jim's voice from behind me.
I turned. "Oh?"
"When I was a kid we had a T.V. and stereo. You had that, you were good for years," he went on. " Now ya gotta have the latest T.V., stereo, cell phone, computer, ipod, gaming system, cable or satellite, notebook and God only knows what else. Not to mention all the services you end up buying to go with them. And it all gets upgraded every few years so ya feel like you gotta get more or get left behind. Used to be families got by on one income ok. Now both parents work, kids get shuffled off to strangers( yet another expense) and still have trouble making ends meet." He shook his head. "Just seems to me we're spending more of our lives and money supporting our things than anything else, is all."
"Colored lights that hypnotize," I mused.
He nodded, turned his cart, half full of cleaning supplies and food, and headed toward the checkout.

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