Most look tired. These groups consist of African-Americans, Latinos, Asians, and Caucasians of every class status, some poor, some middle-class, and some wealthy. Yet, they are all there, under one large roof. Although they may not interact with each other, there seems to be some unspoken code of respect. Everyone just wants to finish their business there and go home.

However, the ethnic gangs that dot the crowds throughout the mall seem to have another purpose and another code. It is almost as if they are patrolling, like a cop on a beat, always on the look-out for something or someone. They are young. They aren't loaded down with packages and children. They aren't on the search for the best buy. They aren't tired.

Outside...

But they're all there - families with whining children, women tending to domestic duties, singles flirting, and lonely old men waiting for someone. The gangs are there too, cruising their beat, always on the look-out for someone or something.
The city is diverse, however most of us stay confined to our own neighborhoods, our own small corner of the world. The mall is like a miniature city. When we go there our small corners merge into one, and although we each still carry individual prejudices, for the most part, we exist in peace. Perhaps someday, the city as a whole will take a cue from the micro-society, and learn to just go about their business and live by that silent code of respect.