The rest of the block, con't. Most of the world in these pictures has passed - but Bridgeman's is still around. This Bridgeman's, however, is gone.

The picture was taken in the winter, or some cold day - can't imagine they sold a ton of ice cream. Fountain drinks and grilled hamburgers and a diet plate - a bunless patty and some cottage cheese - yes, but not a lot of ice cream. On the other hand, it's not difficult to imagine the block on a hot summer night - you'd leave the cool theater, step outside to a river of traffic, see the neon dancing up and down the block, and decide to head left for a cup of coffee, a smoke and a dish of vanilla.

Nowadays we step out of theaters in the burbs, stand in the parking lot and discuss where we're going to go. Then we get in our cars and go there. Possibilities for serendipity: zero.