Leaving Time

Friday, Mid-afternoon. Erin Mills mall in Mississauga. The Boxing Day onslaught is almost over. The marauding forces have won another round in their battle to spend the last of the year's dollars. The shopkeepers' overflowing tills have been emptied in preparation for the final skirmish . . .

Our eyes meet as we nervously scan the batteground. We're the only guys here. Civilians in a no-man's-land. Drinking coffee. It's unnerving. In a moment, a re-energised army of squealing shoppers will sweep around the corner, clutching credit cards and waving shopping bags, ready to grab the final spoils of victory. They'll crush us underfoot . . .

Leaving time.