Although it had little to do with him, Tang Changsheng thought it over and decided to take a look. So many days had already been lost; one more moment would hardly matter.
In a corner of the city, a movie was playing in an open-air lot.
This was a drive-in movie theater, a way of watching movies that was quite popular in North America.
Cars parked in the lot while the movie played. In the early days, loudspeakers broadcast the sound across the lot. Later, local radio broadcasts let customers listen through their car radios.
By the time Tang Changsheng arrived, the place was a mess. Every car door stood open, and the silence was frightening. Not a sound could be heard. The lot was deserted; there was no one in any of the cars.
Hundreds of cars sat there with their doors open, yet not a single person remained. It was eerie beyond belief...
The big screen showed no image, only static. Clearly, the movie had ended long ago.
Anyone else might have felt their skin crawl at the sight. But Tang Changsheng had been through more than he could count. Strange as the scene was, it lay within his understanding.
With a cold laugh, Tang Changsheng headed toward the small building by the lot. The two-story building was probably where the movie had been projected.
The building was just as empty, but Tang Changsheng found the projection room without hesitation. The projector was still running, though someone had clearly removed the film reel.
"What age are we living in? They're still using equipment this old to show movies..."
Tang Changsheng gave a cold laugh and turned to leave the building. Just then, several cars sped up and surrounded it.
They were not police. Neither their cars nor their