I don't care if the sign says they're sold out, I'm not looking for a NDS. I'm here to secure something equally prized, if not more. I'm here to pre-order a DS Lite.

"Are you taking them?" I ask.
"Nah. Not taking pre-orders."

The guy behind the register at Sofmap speaks in clipped phrases. It's as if saying complete sentences is a hassle.

"So from now until when the DS Lite goes on sale, you're not taking pre-orders."
"Far as I know."
"How many units will you receive?"
"Dunno."
Thank you for zero help whatsoever.

I backtrack down Ota Road, cut through a side street and head out on the main boulevard. It's almost noon, and the sidewalks glisten. The air has a spring-like crispness. Tomorrow's gonna be another rainy, wet, cold day, but today's gorgeous.

Shame about the pre-orders, I think. But honestly, I wasn't surprised. Bic Camera had just told me the same thing that Sofmap had. I'm sorry. We won't be doing that for the DS Lite.

"What should I do?"
"Well..." says a doughy woman behind the counter. "You might want to line up before the store opens."

A store advertises Nintendo DSes in stock. I'm surprised there isn't a riot breaking out as I enter the store. PSP displays and anime girls in bikinis greet me.

"I'm trying to pre-order the DS Lite."
A man in a blue apron approaches.
"Unfortunately, we won't be doing pre-orders."
That's a shock.
"So, if I wanted a DS Lite, what would you recommend I do."
"I'd recommend lining up before hand."
Heard that today. Three times.

The clerk reaches under the counter and pulls out an electric blue DS. He shows it to me, saying something like "you could always buy this."

"Is that an American DS?"
"Yes. But it plays Japanese software," he adds quickly, fidgeting.
"Are people actually buying that?"
He smiles. "Some, yes."
"I'll line-up on the day the DS Lite goes on sale."
Looking forward to those riots.

Yet Another DS Sellout