FLASH
The camera clicked and whirred as more smoke emitted from it. Altering reality in itself was a difficult process which required a lot of magical energy, and time travel on top of that required even more, straining the device’s capabilities. Still, the device chirps and whirs as it’s powers activate, once more changing sending the world spinning back in time. The cars outside become models that in the 21st century would only appear at vintage road shows and museums, as bright billboards for products like Coca-Cola began appearing across town.
The changes rapidly spread across the mall, the people inside’s clothing becoming “retro”. The men’s clothing became suits or formal slacks, the women were now universally in dresses or skirts. Going out to the new mall was a big social occasion, after all, and no one wanted their neighbors to see them looking anything other than their absolute Sunday best.
Robert carefully brushed some dust of the shoulder of the new suit he’d just bought for work a few hours earlier. His children had begged him to come to the mall this Sunday to let them buy comics and toys, and he’d agreed. After all, he’d just gotten that big new promotion at his job, so they could afford to go out and celebrate a bit.
He smiled as he watched his wife scold the children for being a bit too excited and nearly running into some of the people passing by. Jane looked stunning in her sky blue dress, especially with her favorite set of pearls around her neck. She cradled their two year old son Eugene in her arms as she addressed their other children. Their ten year old son Gregory wore a sheepish look; as the oldest boy, he was expected to set a good example for his siblings, but he’d been the one leading the charge.
Eight year Annie shifted uncomfortably next to him, playing with the hem of her shirt. Annie hated getting scolded, she was a studious girl who took after her mother. Robert thought she’d make a good secretary when she got older, or perhaps a nurse. After all, what other jobs were women even suited for?
Their five year old son Timothy just looked bored. He was too young to really understand why what they were doing was wrong, just that they were getting yelled at. Robert finally interjected. “Jane, honey, I think the kids understand. If they do it again I’ll have a talking with them when we get home.” He said.
All three of the children noticeably gulped. Robert wasn’t too much of a stern disciplinarian—not like some of their friends’ parents, who would “teach them a lesson” with a belt at the slightest mistake—but when he did, they felt it for a while. Jane meekly nodded, deferring to her husband. “Yes dear.” She said.
The family made their way through the mall, heading towards their destination, a toy store in the middle of the mall. Gregory wanted a new model airplane to build, Timothy was looking for some dominos and Annie wanted a doll. Afterwards, if the kids were good, Robert promised Gregory he’d buy him the new Captain America comic which had just come out.
Spotting something on the ground, Robert picked it up with a frown. It was a camera—a brand new and expensive one too. Someone must have dropped it, he couldn’t imagine leaving such a valuable and pricy item behind on purpose. He stopped for a second, his finger hovering dangerously close to the picture button as he turned it over in his hands……
FLASH