Tom Lynch

The line for candy goes from long to short in a matter of seconds. And as soon as it all runs out, Sarah is out of a job.

The 17-year-old employee of Harlem and Irving Plaza's Fannie May is displeased by the recent announcement that the Chicago business will shut its doors. "It sucks," she says. "Everyone is freaking out over the whole thing, and I'm gonna need to get a new job."

The Fannie May displays under the glass cover are empty, gutted from the inside by frenzied chocolate consumers. The Trinidads were the first to go. Then the Pixies. Then those miniature mint sandwiches. "After the first day," Sarah says, "It was like the end of the world. Now nobody really comes because everyone knows that nothing is left."

An elderly woman with blaring white hair asks Sarah if they still have Pixies in stock. The clerk shakes her head and the woman nods, knowing the answer before she asked. "I hate that," Sarah whispers. "The older women are the saddest." A family approaches the counter looking for Valentine's Day goodies. "We're all out," Sarah tells them, but offers the pre-packaged, individually wrapped candies that seem to come from a bottomless bin. They decline and head towards the McDonald's that rests catercorner. "We only have these wrapped chocolates left," she explains. "But most people think these suck and they don't want them."

Sarah turns away another elderly Pixie-seeker and begins to wipe down the white counter. "I do this when I'm bored," she says. "There's nothing really left to do, except look for a new job, I guess."

(2004-01-20)

Also by Tom Lynch

True blue
I thought that I was the last person in the world to see Blue Man Group
(2004-01-13)

Tip of the Week
It's the latest fashion to fictionalize the life of an artist's model captured on canvas
(2004-01-13)

Tip of the Week
The local writer's debut story collection, "When the Messenger Is Hot," received glowing reviews upon its January 2003 release from everyone from the New York Times to women's magazines
(2004-01-06)

Fuzzy loving
I have a special relationship with each of my sweaters...
(2004-01-06)

For a few nickels more
(2004-01-06)

Tip of the Week
(2003-12-30)

On Board
(2003-12-10)

The Weather overground
(2003-12-10)

The cock crows
(2003-12-02)

Windows for the world
(2003-11-26)

Tip of the Week
(2003-11-19)

From Russia, With Love
(2003-11-19)

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