Tompson Mall
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Tompson Mall all corners EHB and lit Johnny Alderman (talk) 23:23, 31 July 2024 (UTC)
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| Tompson Mall
Lockettside [20, 81] - [21, 82]
Basic Info:
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Short-wave Radio Info |
| This group or location has a dedicated radio frequency.
Frequency: 27.20 MHz |
Description
Tompson Mall is a four-block shopping mall in the suburb of Lockettside and is home to Malton's only headwear specialty shop (aka the Hat Store), which is located in the Northeast corner.
History
Design and Construction
After witnessing the success of Joachim Mall in its first few days, the suburban councils of Malton went berserk- this was the kind of raw capital they needed! Joachim's size alone drew a huge amount of customers, to say nothing of the interior, some coming all the way across the city to shop or just look, and the thought of losing all that money was almost physically painful to the councils. Plans were made immediately to begin work, and thus the Malton Mall Boom of the 70s had begun.
Tompson Mall was the first of these new malls, based almost directly off the Joachim design. Paid for by commercial improvement bonds from the community, the foundation was laid down before the gala surrounding Joachim's opening had even ended. It gained mixed reviews as construction progressed- while most of the Southwest was thrilled to not have to travel across town to shop any more, others had already done so and subsequently paid a visit to the site of the new mall, where the similarities made themselves obvious almost right off the bat. Construction was halted for a time as the council withdrew the plans (the first floor had already been built) and made alterations to the upper levels, attempting to make their building stand out from the rest.
When the plans returned, the solid, blocky edges of the Joachim idea now softened towards the top, gliding and merging together to form a circular ring bent lightly inward past the walls. The roof- a solid, no-nonsense work of steel and sheeting- was to have no glass openings at all, precluding the use of natural light for the plazas inherent to the design. In addition, the exterior was to have only the barest ornamentation, preferring bare concrete to flashy paint or siding.
Many rallied against the idea at first- it sounded like an abortion of the beautiful look sported by Joachim and the two other malls currently being planned for construction elsewhere. But work progressed, and slowly the council's vision began to become clear. The mall, while not particularly eye-catching, was aesthetically pleasing to look at due to the gentle lines, which drew the eye straight to the roof. On the roof, at points around the shield-like steel cap, twelve gold-plated statues had been affixed, each representing a different point in the Malton Constitution. The effect worked to draw the viewer closer and closer, and eventually straight inside. Once inside the interior decorators took over, and were more than willing to do the job. Featuring spiralling designs of wood and vinyl in various shades of orange and brown they created a calming, comfortable effect wholly unlike the exterior. It was ideal and specifically designed to make people want to stay longer and subsequently spend more at the myriad of shops within.
While not a hugely acclaimed success, Tompson did reasonably well at its opening and continued to pull in a profit all the way up to the Outbreak, at which point it became a major refugee depot and gathering point for survivors. The success of this can be partially attributed to both its location- the closest mall to six entire suburbs in the south corner which lack their own- and the fact that Tompson Mall is the location of Hats Off, the largest headwear store in the entire city. Even post-Outbreak the store is somehow adding new products to its stock, which states volumes for both the mall and the people who run it.
The Fall Of Tompson
In early January 2006, a large zombie horde comprising of Da Shamblin' WAAAGH, The Undying Scourge, the Minions of the Apocalypse and the Shambling Seagulls laid siege to Tompson Mall and the surrounding area, and after several days of struggle broke through the barricades, slaughtering all within. The slow process of repopulation has now begun, but it may be weeks before the Mall has recovered.
Off to Tompson in the Blue
Tompson has inspired a song, much like a tune was made for Caiger Mall. It remains to be seen if more people will write such songs, or if other malls or important areas will adopt the tradition. Off to Tompson in the Blue was written by Arthur Patstone during the April-May ’07 Battle for Tompson Mall. Since the song was written things have turned in favor of the survivors, but at the time the humans in the NW quarter were outnumbered nearly 2 to 1 by their zombie attackers. Arthur wrote the song to rally his fellows, who were the first real comrades he had met in Malton.
- Off to Tompson in the Blue
- (A tribute to the Tompson Mall Defenders. Keep those ‘cades up boys!)
- (Chorus)
- And we’re all off to Tompson in the blue, in the blue
- Where the zombies die by the ton
- Where the axe heads flash and the pistols crash
- To the boom of an ol’ shotgun.
- Oh I am just a simple scout and I walked the streets all day
- Till a sudden thought came to my head that this was not the way
- For I’m sick and tired of running, with a life that is forlorn
- So I’m off to join the TMD, and I’m off tomorrow morn
- I’ll leave aside my length of pipe, I’ll leave aside books for now
- I’ll leave aside all but my axe, I’ll make these zombies bow
- And I'll leave aside my Mary, she's the girl that I adore
- And I wonder if she'll think of me when she hears the undead roar
- And when the war is over and dear old Tompson’s free
- I'll take her to Irenaeus to wed, and a scout's wife she will be
- Well, some men fight for silver and some men fight for gold
- But the TMD are fighting for the land that the zombies stole
- Written by: Arthur Patstone, adapted from Off To Dublin In The Green
- Tune: The Jolly Ploughboy
Barricade Policy
When not controlled by zombies the mall is usually kept at max barricades by its inhabitants, and efforts to try and enforce the previous policy of keeping the mall at VS proved futile. Entrances on the west side come and go, and St. Irenaeus's Church to the east is usually at VS.
Tompson Mall was a resource for the Tompson Mall Irregulars and was heavily defended, although never used as a safehouse, to defeat the point of enemies attacking the mall.
When the mall is under siege the inhabitants can keep watch using the Thompson Barricade Guard Scheme.
Radio Transmitters
All radio transmitters and portable radios should be tuned to 27.20 MHz. This frequency will be used to distribute news and issue danger reports including Zed break-ins.
Current Status
Remember to keep news entries NPOV for this Suburb page.
Don't be a nobody - Sign your posts correctly!
All news prior to June 2009 has been moved here.
OCT 17, 2019 - Mall has been under seige from a small horde for months now. It is a constant struggle to maintain the barricades.
Mar 25, 2019 - Finally! After many years I've been able to shop for a cell phone to complete my toolbag. Looks like the mall is 'caded up pretty solid now, hopefully enough people show up to keep it secure for awhile. I'll try and get the mobile phone masts working as soon as possible... --MR2Di4 (talk) 17:21, 25 March 2019 (UTC)
Jul 29, 2016 - Barely 3 weeks after The Scourge ruined Marven Mall, they visited Tompson and had a heated argument with the locals, which ended in the building being ruined once more. PB&J 10:43, 22 July 2019 (UTC)
Jun 18, 2013 - 22 survivors inside. Gennys running. No problems. --RoyKirk 14:20, 18 June 2013 (UTC)
Dec 17, 2012 - A week-long offensive by survivors failed to liberate the mall. "Operation Bluelight" was a co-ordinated attack by local survivor groups including the Knights Templars, Green Drive School Irregulars, and Dual Nature. Fighting was particuarly bloody at the food court. At the Burrito Palace both zombie and living fought over a recently discovered viable jar of pickled Jalapenos. Zombie resistance was once again led by "People before Pulses." The zombies fought off several strike team assaults. There is even evidence to suggest that one of the most famous strike teams in the city, Tiger Team One, lost two members to the zombies. On the morning of December 17th the mall was vacated by the zombies. The following message was scrawled across a wall using cinnabon icing: "We are leaving this mall now to go find you where you live. When we do, we will kill you to death. This mall is ours and we retain the ability to reclaim it at the time of our choosing." --bristolscale7 9:00, 17 December 2012 (UTC).
Dec 10, 2012 - The zombie group "People before Pulses" continues to hold the mall. This zombie group wrested control of the mall from survivors in mid-2012. Since then several survivor attacks have temporarily cleared the mall, but none for very long. In fact no survivor group has been able to control the mall for more than 48 hours. Local survivor refuges have been under attack lately. Some groups are now operating out of the middle of Ruddlebank because "People Before Pulses" has made buildings closer to the Mall unsafe. --bristolscale7 15:30, 10 December 2012 (UTC).
Dec 13, 2011 - The Mall continues to undergo extensive remediation by the Flowers of Decay realty and consulting group. The Rat infestation, we're told, is almost under control with the last Two Rats flushed out into the open. However, locals report some vermin have fled into surrounding structures. Public health has been notified. --Hibernaculum 17:28, 13 December 2011 (UTC)
Dec 9, 2011 - ATTENTION: The Flowers of Decay realty and consulting firm have completed purchase of Thompson Mall with the express purpose of making this Mall a better place for families to do their shopping and enjoy quality time amongst friends. Under the previous ownership, the place had fallen into a state of ill repair. The custodial staff have became lax in their duties. They've allowed the grounds surrounding the facility to be overrun with weeds. Inside, signs were found of all manner of depravity occurring in the darkness of the ransacked shops. Cult worshipers left the carcasses of sacrificial animals gathering flies; survivor groups reportedly were seen partaking in orgies, drug use, stealing and vandalism - all under the auspices of the local constabulary...As well, a local exterminator determined the Mall had an infestation of RATS. Before the renovations can begin in earnest, the infestation must be rooted out. The FOD reality and consulting group is committed to a safe, clean environment and as such, have contracted exterminators to bring this problem under control. Citizens may notice a rat or two being rounded up. Pay no mind to this intrusion. All will be put to rights again in short order. Thank you for your cooperation. --Hibernaculum 19:52, 9 December 2011 (UTC)
