The Gift: A TAWOG Story

Chapter 3: The Mall

The Wattersons cruised in their station wagon down the Elmore Turnpike. Nicole was driving, Richard was in the passenger seat, and the three kids were in the back. While some cars were in line to pay the toll in cash on the side of the highway, Nicole drove right under the electronic scanners with her ElmorePass sticker on the windshield.

"Ugh, I just remembered," said Nicole. "I gotta pay the monthly subscription for our ElmorePasses. Richard can you do it now so we don't get pulled over?"

"Sure," said Richard, who got out his phone. "Wait, what's your password again?"

"Okay, I'll worry about that later," Nicole said. "Hey kids, you know where we're going, right?" She began singing. "Stop it with your yawning, its a lovely morning!"

"We're off to buy some stuff at the Elmore Mall!" sang Richard.

"Saturdays are cool!" sang Anais, who then pointed to Darwin.

"'Cause we don't go to school!" sang Darwin, who then pointed to Gumball.

"And I am at the mall to... buy a... JUUL." Darwin and Anais looked at him funny. "I'm sorry I still don't know the words."

"Gumball Watterson, if I ever see you with a JUUL in your paw, I swear..." said Nicole, setting the tone slightly serious. Gumball took this as a threat, yet felt like he would make the situation worse if he defended himself. Nicole, however, set the tone light again.

"Nothing can go wrong," she sang. Richard joined her. "We'll be happy all day long!"

"And that's the reason why we sing this song!" sang everyone except Gumball. Nicole noticed this, and her mother senses kicked in. She knew something was up, yet decided to hold off at that moment to ask, anticipating he would not be in the mood to talk at the moment. They pulled into the entrance and noticed a bunch of construction equipment surrounding the mall.

"Oh, I forgot," said Nicole. "They're doing a massive renovation to the place. Giving it a facelift basically."

Gumball saw the sign out front that said "You're new shopping and hangout destination. COMING SOON: Fashion Centre at Elmore!"

"But I love the mall just the way it is!" said Darwin. "Why do they have to change it?"

"You know, Darwin," replied Nicole, "just to keep up with changing times, give it a more modern feel and..."

"Amazon," said Anais. "It's Amazon."

"Yeah, that too," said Nicole. They found a parking spot in the garage behind the mall. Gumball was very careful not to jam with the roll-down window, remembering what happened last time, resulting in another blowout with his mother.

They all got out of the car and entered through the sliding door, heading down the escalator from the garage into the mall.

"Alright guys," Nicole said. "Now, I gotta make a return at Macy's and then I'll meet back in fifteen minutes."

"Hey, Gumball," said Darwin. "Do you wanna go to the Apple Store and play whatever games they have on the iPads?" Darwin immediately looked at the camera. "Before you say anything, just remember that this is a movie, and may contain some occasional product placement." He then turned back to Gumball, tuning back to their reality. Gumball turned around and saw his mother walk down the concourse to the other end of the mall where the Macy's was.

"You know, I think I'll just stick with Mom," said a hesitant Gumball. He quickly ran after his mother.

"Why would he wanna go return a blouse with Mrs. Mom?" asked Darwin.