The document continues to say: Indeed, the commercial area is quite desolate, with clerks standing in groups of twos and threes on the upper floors of department stores, not a single customer around.
The area surrounding the business office building has a weekend atmosphere, with sparsely populated trains, and both the stock exchange and commodity exchange are shut down.
However, among the murmurs and conversations everywhere, there is more eager and friendly stimulation rather than ominous signs.
"Are you going to issue vouchers—how should we use them?"
"What is 'Supervisor'—is that a new term?"
"Didn't you say you had $30 when the bank closed? Well, you were really lucky. I only had $3.50—I was originally planning to go to the bank that morning."
"They say Mr. and Mrs. Smith have stored lots of canned goods in their cellar—three months' supply, as they believe a revolution is imminent!"
"Have you seen the pictures of those gold hoarders?
