Utopia, Part 3: The World's Largest Shopping Mall

The world's biggest shopping mall can be found in the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou, in the province where the heart of China's new economy is beating away. Four years ago, this was rural farmland -- nowadays, you can ride on gondolas through picturesque canals, the carnival attractions whirl high into the air, and colorful billboards invite you to buy and have fun. Slowly but surely, however, you start getting the feeling that something isn't right here. Where are all the people? The square is only packed during the ceremonial raising of the flag, but everyone there is employed by the mall. Brand-new escalators connect modern halls for the single stray visitor, a saleswoman admits that she is bored to death, and a giggling young couple says it is a great place for a date -- but that can't be the only intention for this megalomaniacal project, can it? Even Ted deSwart, the mall consultant called in to help, is at a loss regarding what should be done. A mall manager is more optimistic, comparing the mall to a plane accelerating on the runway. In two years, it will be flying.