Lacks Soul, by Lisa Miller

…Signs of urban decay all around a complex of shops with interconnecting walkways. Red chairs topple over the ice rink in disrepair. A lonely atmosphere with storefronts half-empty, lights flickering above lit lamps and fake plants. Top of the escalator’s a dry decorated Christmas tree. Below, a clicking sound heard in the food court from a broken down air conditioner at Subway; the lone restaurant but for the Chinese Gourmet Express. Nearby, hot-buttered popcorn permeates off the orange velveteen chairs in pristine condition among candy wrappers littered. Where’s the scent of Cinnabon and Starbucks? The malls don't seem to have souls anymore.