I’m killing time sipping at Mocha Joe’s in the Metro Center (names which mean absolutely nothing to you) and a sadness is overpowering my double-shot cappuccino. I’ve been here once before, but never before saw the stunning, dark-haired girl working behind the counter, a girl made even more adorable by her perfect laugh punctuating the Christmas music.

See that cityscape painted on the table? “Serving Peoria since 1993.” And now closing December 31, 2007. Thanks for coming.