I pulled past Harrisonburg’s mall today. Couple dozen people were standing, shivering outside one of its entrances. I watched from a stoplight as cops came and started ushering people away from the doors.
A bomb threat? Gas leak? Fight? Wasn’t sure. So I pulled in and started fishing for my cell phone. Gotta call the office.
I approached a cop, “Hi, What’s going on here? Is there a problem?”
He stared at me cross-eyed.
So I mumble, ” Uh, yeah, I’m like ahh a reporter … is, um, is everything okay?”
“Ma’am, please stay on the sidewalk.”
“Yeah, okay … but what’s the problem?”
He smirks, and says with a wink, “Yeah, you a reporter? Call for backup … Santa’s sleigh is coming.”
And so in minutes, 300 people had gathered for the Mall’s holiday promotion. And what, it’s not even Thanksgiving yet?? How was I suppose to know?! Merry Christmas.