The Parade of Humanity

Ruby and her boyfriend Archie Henderson were full of mimosas from the after-balloon-ride champagne brunch. They had their happy faces on. They had perched themselves on the bench just inside the entry door at Bag-Mart, waiting for the rest of their friends to make some incidental purchases. Soon they were engaged in the ancient art of people watching. A steady stream of humanity came through the double-door entry.

"It's like watching a parade isn't it Arch?" said Ruby. Ruby loved the way he lit up when she called him "Arch".

"Hey, you're right!" he said. Three gentleman with baseball caps walked in, "there's the VFW....and there's the Red Hat Society!" He was referring to three woman trailing behind the men. "Look! There's that little clown car!" he said, as a large man on a electric store-scooter went by. A little girl walked by with a Mylar Spiderman balloon. "Wow! he said, this is like the Macy's Parade!"

Ruby was laughing hard as a shopping cart went by full of plants from the outdoor nursery. "The garden-club float!" they chorused. Two surly looking young boys in baggy pants and t-shirts were next... "Oh! the Boy Scouts of America!"

The two of them continued enjoying the parade watching until their friends
returned, chastised them for being too silly, and made them stop. Ruby and Archie were dismayed.

"I meant absolutely no ill will!" said Archie as they left the Bag-Mart parking lot. "I am just happy that I now know where to find a parade whenever I want one!"