Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5, Part 1
Chapter 5, Part 2
Chapter 6 - Judy
Charles woke up the next day at 9:30 a.m., more or less. He showered, dressed and had another soggy bologna sandwich and then headed to the hotel office.
"Hello Mr. Leed. Are you checking out? asked the clerk.
"No, I may be here one more day. Listen, can you tell me how to get to Hooper Street?" asked Charles.
The clerk told him how to get to get to the bank and Charles left. Two hours later he reached the bank and after some slight difficulty managed to receive his new traveler's check. He cashed on in and took a taxi over to the restaurant that Judy worked at. He sat down at the counter and Judy came up.
"How you doing today?" she asked.
"Oh, better than yesterday. The police found my car in Prunedale and I managed to get some replacement traveler's checks." he explained.
"Hey, that's really nice. What can I get you?" she asked.
"A coke and a burger will be fine please and could you tell me if there are any buses around here that go to Prunedale? Charles asked her.
"Not that I know of. You may have to go to San Francisco and take one from there", she said.
"Damn", he said, "I've got to get there by five or wait until tomorrow."
"I'd give you a ride after work but I've got to go to my mom's for dinner." she said. "Let me see if anyone here is headed up there".
Ten minutes later Charles was all set. He had a ride on an eighteen-wheeler headed for San Francisco.
After getting to San Francisco and taking a bus to Prunedale he got to the garage where his car was. They took him to see his car, or whatever was left of it. The left side of the car looked as it had been made from leftover pieces of a ship wreck. The metal was bent and twisted. Fortunately the doors opened and only the back window was broken. The interior was unchanged except for a couple of rips on the drivers seat. Charles was happy to see the radio was still intact. He loofed for the key but couldn't find them. After asking at the office he was told that the keys had not been found in the ignition. He then asked to borrow a crowbar so he could open his trunk.
The pain he felt as he pried open his trunk and busted the lock was not as great as the joy he felt upon seeing not just all of his possessions; but, also his spare key was still safely tucked away in his tool box.
After leaving the garage he picked up a lock and chain to secure his trunk which after meeting witht he crow bar no longer worked the same. He filled his car with gas and headed back to the hotel stopping along the way for dinner. After eating he went to another store and picked up plexiglass, an exacto blade and some wide duct tape. After picking up everything, he returned to the hotel and proceeded to fashion himself a new window for his car out of the plexicglass, tracing the shape of the window with a large piece of paper over the hole where the window used to be. He inserted the plexiglass window into the space and taped it firmly in place with the duct tape, both on the inside and outside.
As Charles was feeling better, and running out of money quicker than he had anticipated, he decided to leave for Los Angeles the next day. Before going to bed he repacked of his things and set them next to the door and then he went to sleep.
The next morning he filled his car up and refilled his ice chest with ice from the hotel cooler. After getting everything ready he went to the office to pay for his room.
"Let's see Mr. Leed, you've been here for three days at $105 a night, with taxes and charges that comes to $350.Will that be cash, check or charge?" the clerk asked.
Charles could feel the blood drain out of his face he mumbled the word "Cash". As he left he thought about how much he had spent since leaving his home and was shocked that the had spent much more than he had ever anticipated and had only travelled 225 miles. He decided that once he had spent half his money he would head back home regardless of where he ended up.
Charles drove over to Judy's coffee shop for one last breakfast in Monteray and to say good bye. Sitting down at the counter he was once again greeted by Judy's smiling face.
"Hi Charlie. I see you got your car back", she said.
Yeah, it's a little worse for the wear but still drives fine. I'm leaving for Los Angeles today and just wanted to thank you for all your help and get some breakfast in me before I go". Charles said.
"Too bad your leaving because I was thinking you might take me out for a drink after work, if you were going to be here for another day". Judy told him with a smile.
Charles ears perked up and as Judy left to serve another customer, he began to weight the pluses and minuses of sticking around a little longer. When she returned he told her that there was nothing pressing him to go and that he would enjoy the opportunity to take her out after she got off. It was decided that he would pick her up at three in the afternoon. After eating she told him that rather than waiting for her, he should look around and see more of Monterey.
He took her advice and visited Cannery Row, stopping goff at the many galleries and going into the Wax Museum. The best part of his tour he thought was the slide show on old Monterey at the Wax Museum. He was interested in knowing that the oldest government building in California was in Monterey.
When he returned to the restaurant he found Judy outside. He was not sure if it was her at first because she had changed into her street clothes and out of the saucy little dress uniform that she wore for work. It wasn't that she looked more or less pretty; but, that in jeans and a tee shirt she seemed somewhat different and perhaps for this reason he started feeling slightly more awkward around her.
They left to go to a local bar which was not too expensive; but nicer than the ones he was used to in Sacramento. As they sat sipping their drinks (she had a Margarita and he had a beer), he began to ask her about herself for the first time.
She explained that she had been born in Modesto, that her father was a truck driver and that after her parents divorced her mother had moved them to Monterey where an aunt lived. Judy mentioned that she had spent a year at college in San Francisco and had gotten discouraged and left, although she admitted that money had also been a factor. "I'm still paying off the loan I took out to go there", she explained.
While Judy was talking Charles began wondering what he should do next. He hadn't dated much and wasn't sure that if he had he would now what to do anyways. He wasn't sure if he should take her home or go on his way or if he should offer to take hor out somewhere, perhaps a movie. As he debated, she solved his problem by asking him over to her house for dinner.
He followed her in his car to a very nice house. It was not a mansion; but, was of fair size and looked as if it belonged in one of those old movies that takes place in New England.
As they walked up to the house, Judy began to explain that it was her aunt's home, that her aunt was nice; but, had some strange ideas about manners and etiquette. Judy also told him that her mother wouldn't be home for another hour because she was out with some friends bowling.
When they got inside, Judy yelled out for her aunt and as she did a woman of about 50 came down the stairs explaining as she walked that it was not necessary to yell. When the lady reached the bottom of the stairs Judy told her, "Aunt Terry, I want to introduce you to Charlie Leed, he's the young man whose car was stolen.
"I'm happy to meet you. I hope you have since recovered your car", she said to him.
"Thank you. I got it back yesterday" he informed her.
"Has Judy invited you for dinner? she asked.
"Yes, thank you. I do hope it won't be too much of an imposition." he asked.
"No, not at all. We love to have guests by for dinner. Please come sit down int eh parlor and have some tea, or do you prefer coffee?'
Charles said tea would be fine and then they all went into the living room. The room was large, bright and airy with flowered, lacey furniture like he had seen in a television show about English country homes. When Judy's aunt returned from the kitchen she poured Charles and her a cup of tea and gave a cup of coffee to Judy. She also offered him some odd looking cookies which tasted rather nice.
"Judy tells us you are on vacation. May I ask you what you do when you are working?, asked Judy's aunt.
The woman introduced herself as Terri and began to ask him another question; but, as she did a woman her early 40s. She was tow or three inches taller than Judy with red hair. She had a deep tan and heavy perfume. Her clothes were modern; but, not too flashy.
"Hi Terri, Hi Judy. Is this your friend with the missing car? she asked in one breath. As Judy said "yes" and was about to make introductions, the woman continued on. "I was so sorry to hear about that. I remember once when I was living in Modesto some guy tried to break into my husband's truck. Well, he sure got himself a surprise because my husband was sleeping in it at the time because of this fight we had. He just kicked that man's ass all over our front yard."
As the woman talked on he was able to learn that she was Judy's mother, Jane. He also learned that she had bowled a 150 and enjoyed drinking Vodka martinis. While she talked, Aunt Terri went into the kitchen and began to serve the dinner. A few minutes later, Terri returned and instructed everyone to go into the dining room.
Dinner was pleasant and one of the best meals Charles had ever eaten. The meal consisted of soup, salad, potatoes in some sort of cheese sauce, spicy green beans and Chicken Kiev. The conversation at the table was fairly light as Aunt Terri told Charles about Monetery's history. Jane talked about when she had gone to Las Vegas last and Judy talked about how she wished she were going across the country.
After dinner, Judy took Charles up to her room. "I'm sorry for making you go through that", Judy told him, "I love them both but I know that they can be hard to bear sometimes."
"No, not at all. I liked them both. As much as I'd like to stay, I think I had better get going if I'm going to get to Los Angeles tonight". Charles said.
"If I were you I would wait until the morning because the view of the coast is really beautiful during the day". she said.
"I would but I gave up my hotel room and it was over $100 a night and I'm just not sure I can afford to stay there again, I had planned on staying at places in the $50 range." Charles explained.
"You could stay here for the night and leave in the morning?"
As she said it Charels couldn't quite believe his own ears. "You don't think your mother or aunt would mind?" he asked.
"No, I have people stay over all the time. It's okay. Why don't you let me get changed and we can go out to a movie or something?"
Charles accepted her offer to stay the night and then started to leave the room; but, she stopped him saying, "You don't have to leave, just turn around".
Charles could feel his heart beat faster inside him as he heard her clothes hit the floor and only with the greatest effort in control could he stop himself from turning around to watch.
"Okay, you can look now." she said. When he did he found himself confronted by her obvious charms and sensuality. "Let me just tell them that we're going", she said.
The movie they went to see was a comedy about some guy who had died and came back to life as a parrot. His ex-wife buys the parrot and the parrot proceeds to interrupt her life by upsetting her lovers. In the end she ends up dying and is reincarnated as a cat and eventually eats the parrot. They both enjoyed the movie immensely. When the movie was over they went out to the car to go home.
"You know Charlie, you're one of the politest men I have ever met and I think you're attractive too." As she said this she continued to move closer to him. His eyes were filled with her and he could feel his body as it began to get more and more flushed. He decided to try to kiss her and moved to do so. The first kiss was slightly awkward and Charles was sure she would not want another; but, when she kissed him he was happily surprised. After a few more kisses, Judy said, "Don't make wait, take me home now".
Charles started the car unable to focus and drove off. At first he felt great thinking that he and Judy might enjoy each others company that night; but, as he drove along he began to think that perhaps Judy had only planned on going back to her house. He wondered if maybe she had hurried to get home because she didn't want the two of them to get carried away any further. He decided that he was right the first time when she reached over to touch him.
Once they had returned to the house, Judy led Charles up to her room. When they got inside the room, she lit two candles and began to kiss him. He kissed her back and caressed her back. It seemed so fantastic to him as she sat on her bed and then undressed in front of him.
Afterwards, while he lay in bed, she went downstairs to make herself a sandwich and watch "The Tonight Show". When he woke up the next day, she had already left for work. There was a note on top of his clothes telling him how she had enjoyed meeting him and how she wished him luck on his trip. As he read the note, he had the feeling that he was being discarded, a disposable person used once and then thrown away. The ended with her signature, address and phone number and the words, "If you ever come back here, look me up."
Charles got showered and dressed and went downstairs where he was greeted by Aunt Terri. "Hello Charles. I see you're awake. Would you like some breakfast before you go?" she politely asked. Charles was unsure of what to say and felt funny about how nice she was being. He was confused as he somehow still thought of himself as a teenager and as such had a problem with trying to understand why she was not upset about his sleeping in Judy's room with her.
Charles agreed to the meal and sat down at the table in the kitchen. Aunt Terri served him some pancakes and orange juice and then sat down across from him with a cup of tea.
"You shouldn't feel uneasy Charles", began Aunt Terri. Judy has had gentlemen stay the night in our house before. Where exactly do you plan on going for your trip, if I may ask?"
"I was hoping to go to Los Angeles and then to Texas, New Orleans, Florida and then up to Boston; but, I'm not sure now since I don't have as much money as I had expected any more."
"Do you plan on coming back to California", she asked.
"Yes, I do ma'am. I have a brother in Sacramento and will probably go back there when I'm done." he replied.
"When I was married", she said, "I lived in St. Louis and one year we decided to take a trip to California. As we were driving to San Francisco, we stopped in Monterey. At first, we thought what a wonderful place it was and it is, and we were so enchanted with it that we decided to stay. As the years went on, the newness and difference wore off and I discovered little difference between it and where I came from, except that we are closer to the ocean. It seems to me that one place is very much like another. People are the same as far as their relationships with one another and also as the community goes. The one thing that moving does is remove you from your friends and family, those you love, everything else is the same. Even the scenery is the same once you stop paying attention to it. And most of us stop noticing it once we have lived in a place for a bit. Think about that if you ever find a place that you love away from your home.
"I will. Thank you. Thank you for your hospitality too, also." After a pause Charles made his farewells and left.
Monday, November 20, 2017
Saturday, November 18, 2017
I Just Have to Say This
When I point out on other sites online that the media is lying about Trump or that Hillary did fix the primaries, people sometimes assume I am a conservative or alt-right. My readers know, I am as far from the right as I can be. I am a socialist who believes in universal healthcare and actively supported the Occupy Movement, going so far as renaming this blog, "Occupy the Truth is Inside You". I supported Bernie Sanders on this blog up until he became co-opted by the Democratic Party. I am still for breaking up the big banks and the media as they have become anti-competitive and oligarchical. I was a preacher to gay illegal aliens. Online I have been accused of being a Russian bot, an alt righter and whatever else you can imagine, including a racist. Oddly enough, they never directly respond to my questions and my readers know, I have questions and I will ask them. I have some very serious questions about Trump; but, I also don't make statements I cannot back up, those questions will come later; but, for now are only raised in private and in person with my friends who are Trump supporters.
I just read an article in The Boston Globe which is attempting to claim that Trump is responsible for someone becoming a neo-Nazi, that the person felt emboldened (embiggened for the Simpsons viewers) by Trump saying whatever. Their intent is to say that Trump has been responsible for Nazis in the United States. This is incredibly unfair and outrageous. Do you remember when President Obama's Homeland Security organized the takedown of the Occupy Movement in contravention of federal law? I wrote about it at the time.
Lets take a quick review of what the Nazi's believed in. They believed that some races and sexes were inferior to others. Hmmm. Now people claiming to be on the left (they are not truly on the left if they don't believe in regulating industry for the benefit of the nation or if they believe it is okay to have monopolies) are against free speech, pro war, against freedom of assembly, pro-monitoring opponents and against your being able to pick a President they don't like (to the point of denying the requirement of charging "high crimes and misdemeanors" for impeachment.
Totalitarianism is the problem and it doesn't matter if it comes from the left or right. If you create a repressive society, eventually it only benefits the rich and powerful. The neo liberals call for regulating speech on the internet and protest violently against free speech rallies calling people who believe in free speech fascists. I may not agree with someone but I would still defend their right to say what they believe with my life.
I was typing up the next chapter from my story and my fingers got tired (arthritis hits when it hits); but, I saw this article in the globe and it just ticked me off. Well, I also had to take a moment away from reading my 35 year old story as sometimes it makes me cringe to see my writing from that far back.
Here is my point. If you are truly for freedom and against tyranny, you will not promote denying free speech, you will support whoever is elected constitutionally as a valid representative of those who voted and you will not shout down those you disagree with. I tell you now, if you promote restricting rights, you will be the victim of those restrictions. Imagine getting the right to free speech limited online and then having someone like Trump not impeached and able to use that limitation on those who fight him. Take a moment and ask yourself what rights you would be willing to give up today to defeat Trump if he is then allowed to use those same limits on rights. Well that is the question and if you truly believe he is a Nazi, why would give anyone that power over you?
Let me make it even clearer to the left and right. Bush got the Patriot Act passed which does away with Habeas Corpus and it was used by Obama and Bush. Do you really want to see Trump use it? Every law that you support can be used against you as the winds change from east to west regularly.
MSN - The Boston Globe - When the pizza delivery guy is also ‘Nazi Bob’.
Ask yourself, why can't someone fire an employee for being gay or black; but, you can fire them for their political beliefs even if not expressed at work? We have been seeing a lot of that lately. Not just on the left, we have seen it on the right too. Here is a question. Remember the bakery that refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding? What if they had refused to bake a cake with a Nazi on top saluting Hitler, would you still say they had to?
Kiddies, if you think my questions are going to get easier in the future, you are far from correct. As the hypocrisy of the establishment and the media is further exposed, our own hypocrisy should be addressed by ourselves. I'm not that nice.
I just read an article in The Boston Globe which is attempting to claim that Trump is responsible for someone becoming a neo-Nazi, that the person felt emboldened (embiggened for the Simpsons viewers) by Trump saying whatever. Their intent is to say that Trump has been responsible for Nazis in the United States. This is incredibly unfair and outrageous. Do you remember when President Obama's Homeland Security organized the takedown of the Occupy Movement in contravention of federal law? I wrote about it at the time.
Lets take a quick review of what the Nazi's believed in. They believed that some races and sexes were inferior to others. Hmmm. Now people claiming to be on the left (they are not truly on the left if they don't believe in regulating industry for the benefit of the nation or if they believe it is okay to have monopolies) are against free speech, pro war, against freedom of assembly, pro-monitoring opponents and against your being able to pick a President they don't like (to the point of denying the requirement of charging "high crimes and misdemeanors" for impeachment.
Totalitarianism is the problem and it doesn't matter if it comes from the left or right. If you create a repressive society, eventually it only benefits the rich and powerful. The neo liberals call for regulating speech on the internet and protest violently against free speech rallies calling people who believe in free speech fascists. I may not agree with someone but I would still defend their right to say what they believe with my life.
I was typing up the next chapter from my story and my fingers got tired (arthritis hits when it hits); but, I saw this article in the globe and it just ticked me off. Well, I also had to take a moment away from reading my 35 year old story as sometimes it makes me cringe to see my writing from that far back.
Here is my point. If you are truly for freedom and against tyranny, you will not promote denying free speech, you will support whoever is elected constitutionally as a valid representative of those who voted and you will not shout down those you disagree with. I tell you now, if you promote restricting rights, you will be the victim of those restrictions. Imagine getting the right to free speech limited online and then having someone like Trump not impeached and able to use that limitation on those who fight him. Take a moment and ask yourself what rights you would be willing to give up today to defeat Trump if he is then allowed to use those same limits on rights. Well that is the question and if you truly believe he is a Nazi, why would give anyone that power over you?
Let me make it even clearer to the left and right. Bush got the Patriot Act passed which does away with Habeas Corpus and it was used by Obama and Bush. Do you really want to see Trump use it? Every law that you support can be used against you as the winds change from east to west regularly.
MSN - The Boston Globe - When the pizza delivery guy is also ‘Nazi Bob’.
Ask yourself, why can't someone fire an employee for being gay or black; but, you can fire them for their political beliefs even if not expressed at work? We have been seeing a lot of that lately. Not just on the left, we have seen it on the right too. Here is a question. Remember the bakery that refused to bake a cake for a gay wedding? What if they had refused to bake a cake with a Nazi on top saluting Hitler, would you still say they had to?
Kiddies, if you think my questions are going to get easier in the future, you are far from correct. As the hypocrisy of the establishment and the media is further exposed, our own hypocrisy should be addressed by ourselves. I'm not that nice.
Thursday, November 16, 2017
A Little Drive - Chapter 5 - Part 2
When Charles awoke he found himself being in the throes of the flu. "Damn" he said to himself and the rooms green walls. "I guess I'm going to be stuck in this hotel for longer than I thought." He ached all over and felt as if his skin was being rubbed with ice and then being set on fire. His head felt as if it were full of soup busily sloshing around and sometimes spilling out of his nose. The one part of him that wasn't sick was his stomach and that was calling out for nourishment. He decided to call for room service and hoped that the hotel had it as he had neglected to ask when he registered the night before. The number of the office was written on the phone so he called the front desk clerk.
"Hi, this is Charles Leed in room 16," he said, "I was wondering if I could get some food delivered to my room."
The clerk told him that the hotel was not equipped with a restaurant. Charles considered which was the worse fate, to starve to death or crawl to the nearest restaurant.
"By the way, Mr. Leed, will you be checking out today? If so, remember that checkout is at eleven-thirty", said the clerk.
"No, I think I'll stay at least another night. Could you tell me if there are any restaurants that deliver around here?" asked Charles.
After a short pause, the clerk said, "There is a pizza parlor that delivers here; but, they don't deliver until after five."
Charles said goodbye and then left to find a restaurant and a store. He found a coffee shop that looked good for breakfast about five miles from the hotel. He parked his car, went in and sat down at the counter.
A pretty young brunette of about 25 approached him and after saying her name was Judy and that she would be his waitress she asked if he wanted a menu. She stood about five feet six with lightly tanned skin. As she handed him his menu, he noticed that her eyes were not quite right. One seemed to pay little attention to where the other was looking, a result of which was it's wandering around ever so slightly while she was talking to him.
"Thanks," said Charles through stuffed nasal passages. "I just want a large glass of orange juice, some bacon, scrambled eggs and a cup of coffee".
"That's our wayfarer special and it comes with toast, an English Muffin or hash browns" she replied.
"I'll have the English muffin", Charles replied.
"Would you like jelly, jam or marmalade?" she continued.
"Just butter, please," said Charles, "and some extra napkins." Then he blew his nose in the one napkin that he did have.
When the meal arrived he put some ketchup on his eggs and began to eat. After every other bite he would blow his nose or cough in one of the napkins. When he had finished his eggs he noticed that the other patrons were looking at him. He could feel his ears getting hot and began to imagine that people were laughing at him and began to eat quicker so that he could leave sooner. During one of his coughing fits the waitress came over to refill his cup (though it was only half empty and he preferred to usually finish his cup before getting a refill).
"You don't look to good, you should be at home," said the waitress.
"I would be; but, I gave up my apartment and am driving across the country," said Charles.
"No kidding. Damn. I always wanted to do that." said Judy. "Problem is it takes a lot of money. A lot more than I can afford and I have never been able to save enough up, something else always seems to come up. Anyway, I don't think I could ever really find the time", she said.
"Sure you could, I only have a couple grand and I'm doing it." Charles explained.
Judy seemed to think about it for about a tenth of a second and then said, "I don't know, I just don't think I could. Oops, I'd better get to the other customers."
After finishing his breakfast and paying the bill, Charles got up to leave. Judy wished him good luck on his trip and waved goodbye.
When Charles got outside a young man in jeans and a tee sheirt with a denim jacket came running up to him. "Hey, are you headed south and if so can you give me a lift to Cannery Row?" they young man asked.
"I'm sorry, I'm not from here and don't know where it is", said Charles.
"That's okay, it just right down the street and I know where it is", said the young man.
"II'm sorry", said Charles, "But I'm really just about to go looking for a store to pick up some things."
"Great, look there's one on the way to the Row", answered the boy, "come on, be a friend, it's just a couple of blocks."
"Alright, hop in", Charles said. When they were both in the car Charles asked him where to go.
"Just down the road about a mile and then make a left", said the boy.
Charles started the car and they drove away as he had been directed. Hoping to make some conversation, Charles said, "You lived her long"?
"Shut up faggot and give me your money", was the young mans reply.
"Huh?" was all Charles managed to say.
"Give me your money mother fucker or I'll blow your fucking nuts off asshole". was the next response from the young man who proceeded to pull out a gun and point it in Charles' direction.
Charles took out his wallet and the young man grabbed it and removed all the cash that it held.
"Where's the rest of it, this is only $400 and I heard you tell the waitress you had a couple grand." said the man.
"The rest is in traveler's checks," Charles explained.
"Give them to me too." he was told.
Charles turned over the checks and was told to pull over to the side of the road. Once he had he was told to get out of the car.
As Charles watched his car pull away he cursed everything he had ever heard of with every curse that he had ever known. Then he blew his nose on his hand and coughed.
Charles looked around not quite sure what had just happened and tried to decide what to do next. He chose to walk back to his hotel then decided to go to the restaurant instead and call the police as it was closer. As he began walking back he noticed the sky for the first time that day and it was turning grey looking as if it might let loose some rain.
"Damn", he thought, "I don't even have my jacket."
He walked down the road and actually noticed where he was for the first time since arriving. He thought about how beautiful Monterey was and hoped that he would once again have the chance to enjoy it from the privacy of his own car. As upset as he was over losing his money and his car, he was thankful that he had left the receipts for the traveler's checks in his suitcase at the hotel. He tried to get a ride by sticking his thumb out but after being passed for a good half hour he decided that he wouldn't pick up someone who looked like him either and gave up.
An hour later he was within sight of the restaurant. While heading for it a police car came up behind him and stopped him.
"Boy, am I glad to see you. Some asshole just stole my car and my money," he said to the approaching officer.
"Would you put your hand on my car?" asked the large man dressed in blue.
The officer patted him down and then turned him around;;but, not quite face to face. The policeman eyed him suspiciously then less so as Charles explained what had happened. The officer told him to wait where he was and then called in the report of the stolen car and ran a check on Charels' license.
When the policeman returned he was slightly more pleasant. He asked Charles where he could be reached and Charels told him the name of the hotel he was staying at and some other information. The officer then returned to his car and drove off.
"Shit!" Charles thought, "I should have asked for a ride back to the hotel." Charels walked into the restaurant and sat back down at the counter.
"Back so soon? Did you forget something?" Judy asked him.
"Yeah, I forgot to never give rides to hitchhikers."
"What happened?" she asked.
Charles told her the story and then didn't now what else to say. "I was coming here to call the cops; but, they stopped me on the road and I already told them. I'm not quite sure what to do now."
"Would you like a cup of coffee?" she asked.
"Don't have any money left and won't till I call the traveler's check people and I can't do that till I get back to my hotel." Charles explained.
"No problem. It's on me." she said.
As Charles drank his coffee and had a cigarette he found the need to continue to blow his nose on the napkins. He heard Judy telling one of the other waitresses about what had happened to him. Judy returned and asked what he was going to do.
"I guess I'll go back to my hotel, try and get new travelers checks and watch T.V." he replied.
"Where are you staying?" she asked.
He told her and she said that he couldn't walk the five miles back as sick as he was.
"Listen," she said, "I get off in three hours and I'll give you a ride there. It will take you about that long just to walk there anyways in your condition. Looks like I have a new customer, I'll be back in a minute.
Forty minutes later the lunch crowd came in and Judy was too busy to talk to Charles. He watched the people come in and out and began to think about how all the coffee shops were the same no matter what the tables looked like.
When Judy got off work, she drove him over to his hotel. "Thanks a lot for the coffee, the ride and everything", he told her as she stopped the car. "I would ask you to come in but I don't have anything to offer you and I'm pretty tired."
"That's okay, Maybe I'll see you before you go. What do you think you are going to do, go home?"
"I don't know, I'll have to see if I get my car back tonight or not."
After Judy left, Charles went into his room to look for his travelers check receipts. He called the 800 number of the check company and was told he could not get new ones issued until the next morning as the banks that took that checks were closed in Monterey on Sundays.
Charels got undressed and watched T.V. from the bed. While watching some documentary on the life and death of the Mammoth butterfly and eating a soggy sandwich that he had made from his soggy supplies that he had kept in the cooler the phone rang.
"Hello, Is this Mr. Charles Leed?" a voice asked.
"Yes sir".
"This is officer Garr, Monterey Police. We have found your car."
"Great! Thanks, where is it."
It's being held by the Prunedale police. It can be picked up tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Harrison Garage on Twelfth in Prunedale. There is a charge of $50 for garaging the car.
"Thanks, thanks a lot. I'll pick it up tomorrow." was Charles response.
After hanging up, Charles began to try to figure out where Prunedale was on the map and then he tried to figure out how he would get there. He decided that he could take a bus there after he got her new travelers checks. "Well", he thought to himself as he went to bed, "by this time tomorrow, I'll be back on the road."
"Hi, this is Charles Leed in room 16," he said, "I was wondering if I could get some food delivered to my room."
The clerk told him that the hotel was not equipped with a restaurant. Charles considered which was the worse fate, to starve to death or crawl to the nearest restaurant.
"By the way, Mr. Leed, will you be checking out today? If so, remember that checkout is at eleven-thirty", said the clerk.
"No, I think I'll stay at least another night. Could you tell me if there are any restaurants that deliver around here?" asked Charles.
After a short pause, the clerk said, "There is a pizza parlor that delivers here; but, they don't deliver until after five."
Charles said goodbye and then left to find a restaurant and a store. He found a coffee shop that looked good for breakfast about five miles from the hotel. He parked his car, went in and sat down at the counter.
A pretty young brunette of about 25 approached him and after saying her name was Judy and that she would be his waitress she asked if he wanted a menu. She stood about five feet six with lightly tanned skin. As she handed him his menu, he noticed that her eyes were not quite right. One seemed to pay little attention to where the other was looking, a result of which was it's wandering around ever so slightly while she was talking to him.
"Thanks," said Charles through stuffed nasal passages. "I just want a large glass of orange juice, some bacon, scrambled eggs and a cup of coffee".
"That's our wayfarer special and it comes with toast, an English Muffin or hash browns" she replied.
"I'll have the English muffin", Charles replied.
"Would you like jelly, jam or marmalade?" she continued.
"Just butter, please," said Charles, "and some extra napkins." Then he blew his nose in the one napkin that he did have.
When the meal arrived he put some ketchup on his eggs and began to eat. After every other bite he would blow his nose or cough in one of the napkins. When he had finished his eggs he noticed that the other patrons were looking at him. He could feel his ears getting hot and began to imagine that people were laughing at him and began to eat quicker so that he could leave sooner. During one of his coughing fits the waitress came over to refill his cup (though it was only half empty and he preferred to usually finish his cup before getting a refill).
"You don't look to good, you should be at home," said the waitress.
"I would be; but, I gave up my apartment and am driving across the country," said Charles.
"No kidding. Damn. I always wanted to do that." said Judy. "Problem is it takes a lot of money. A lot more than I can afford and I have never been able to save enough up, something else always seems to come up. Anyway, I don't think I could ever really find the time", she said.
"Sure you could, I only have a couple grand and I'm doing it." Charles explained.
Judy seemed to think about it for about a tenth of a second and then said, "I don't know, I just don't think I could. Oops, I'd better get to the other customers."
After finishing his breakfast and paying the bill, Charles got up to leave. Judy wished him good luck on his trip and waved goodbye.
When Charles got outside a young man in jeans and a tee sheirt with a denim jacket came running up to him. "Hey, are you headed south and if so can you give me a lift to Cannery Row?" they young man asked.
"I'm sorry, I'm not from here and don't know where it is", said Charles.
"That's okay, it just right down the street and I know where it is", said the young man.
"II'm sorry", said Charles, "But I'm really just about to go looking for a store to pick up some things."
"Great, look there's one on the way to the Row", answered the boy, "come on, be a friend, it's just a couple of blocks."
"Alright, hop in", Charles said. When they were both in the car Charles asked him where to go.
"Just down the road about a mile and then make a left", said the boy.
Charles started the car and they drove away as he had been directed. Hoping to make some conversation, Charles said, "You lived her long"?
"Shut up faggot and give me your money", was the young mans reply.
"Huh?" was all Charles managed to say.
"Give me your money mother fucker or I'll blow your fucking nuts off asshole". was the next response from the young man who proceeded to pull out a gun and point it in Charles' direction.
Charles took out his wallet and the young man grabbed it and removed all the cash that it held.
"Where's the rest of it, this is only $400 and I heard you tell the waitress you had a couple grand." said the man.
"The rest is in traveler's checks," Charles explained.
"Give them to me too." he was told.
Charles turned over the checks and was told to pull over to the side of the road. Once he had he was told to get out of the car.
As Charles watched his car pull away he cursed everything he had ever heard of with every curse that he had ever known. Then he blew his nose on his hand and coughed.
Charles looked around not quite sure what had just happened and tried to decide what to do next. He chose to walk back to his hotel then decided to go to the restaurant instead and call the police as it was closer. As he began walking back he noticed the sky for the first time that day and it was turning grey looking as if it might let loose some rain.
"Damn", he thought, "I don't even have my jacket."
He walked down the road and actually noticed where he was for the first time since arriving. He thought about how beautiful Monterey was and hoped that he would once again have the chance to enjoy it from the privacy of his own car. As upset as he was over losing his money and his car, he was thankful that he had left the receipts for the traveler's checks in his suitcase at the hotel. He tried to get a ride by sticking his thumb out but after being passed for a good half hour he decided that he wouldn't pick up someone who looked like him either and gave up.
An hour later he was within sight of the restaurant. While heading for it a police car came up behind him and stopped him.
"Boy, am I glad to see you. Some asshole just stole my car and my money," he said to the approaching officer.
"Would you put your hand on my car?" asked the large man dressed in blue.
The officer patted him down and then turned him around;;but, not quite face to face. The policeman eyed him suspiciously then less so as Charles explained what had happened. The officer told him to wait where he was and then called in the report of the stolen car and ran a check on Charels' license.
When the policeman returned he was slightly more pleasant. He asked Charles where he could be reached and Charels told him the name of the hotel he was staying at and some other information. The officer then returned to his car and drove off.
"Shit!" Charles thought, "I should have asked for a ride back to the hotel." Charels walked into the restaurant and sat back down at the counter.
"Back so soon? Did you forget something?" Judy asked him.
"Yeah, I forgot to never give rides to hitchhikers."
"What happened?" she asked.
Charles told her the story and then didn't now what else to say. "I was coming here to call the cops; but, they stopped me on the road and I already told them. I'm not quite sure what to do now."
"Would you like a cup of coffee?" she asked.
"Don't have any money left and won't till I call the traveler's check people and I can't do that till I get back to my hotel." Charles explained.
"No problem. It's on me." she said.
As Charles drank his coffee and had a cigarette he found the need to continue to blow his nose on the napkins. He heard Judy telling one of the other waitresses about what had happened to him. Judy returned and asked what he was going to do.
"I guess I'll go back to my hotel, try and get new travelers checks and watch T.V." he replied.
"Where are you staying?" she asked.
He told her and she said that he couldn't walk the five miles back as sick as he was.
"Listen," she said, "I get off in three hours and I'll give you a ride there. It will take you about that long just to walk there anyways in your condition. Looks like I have a new customer, I'll be back in a minute.
Forty minutes later the lunch crowd came in and Judy was too busy to talk to Charles. He watched the people come in and out and began to think about how all the coffee shops were the same no matter what the tables looked like.
When Judy got off work, she drove him over to his hotel. "Thanks a lot for the coffee, the ride and everything", he told her as she stopped the car. "I would ask you to come in but I don't have anything to offer you and I'm pretty tired."
"That's okay, Maybe I'll see you before you go. What do you think you are going to do, go home?"
"I don't know, I'll have to see if I get my car back tonight or not."
After Judy left, Charles went into his room to look for his travelers check receipts. He called the 800 number of the check company and was told he could not get new ones issued until the next morning as the banks that took that checks were closed in Monterey on Sundays.
Charels got undressed and watched T.V. from the bed. While watching some documentary on the life and death of the Mammoth butterfly and eating a soggy sandwich that he had made from his soggy supplies that he had kept in the cooler the phone rang.
"Hello, Is this Mr. Charles Leed?" a voice asked.
"Yes sir".
"This is officer Garr, Monterey Police. We have found your car."
"Great! Thanks, where is it."
It's being held by the Prunedale police. It can be picked up tomorrow between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Harrison Garage on Twelfth in Prunedale. There is a charge of $50 for garaging the car.
"Thanks, thanks a lot. I'll pick it up tomorrow." was Charles response.
After hanging up, Charles began to try to figure out where Prunedale was on the map and then he tried to figure out how he would get there. He decided that he could take a bus there after he got her new travelers checks. "Well", he thought to himself as he went to bed, "by this time tomorrow, I'll be back on the road."
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Impeachment calls by Democrats are not about Trump, they detest Demcoracy
Breitbart - HuffPo’s Grim: 54 Private Jets at Meeting to Stop Trump. The meeting happened in March of 2016 before Trump even won the primaries and while the media was claiming he never would.
Fortune - Conservatives Grasp For a Plan to Stop Trump. Another article from March of 2016. The article outlines a plan that if it looked like Trump would win the parties nomination, the party establishment would run a third party against Trump with the intent of having Congress pick the President rather than the people.
New York Daily News - Here’s how the Electoral College could prevent a Donald Trump presidency, even if he wins the popular vote. Even before the Presidential election, the establishment was calling for voiding the election if Trump won.
New York Post - The one scenario that could still get Hillary into the White House. Immediately after the election last year, there were calls to ignore the votes and have the Electoral College decide who would be President and give it to Hillary.
AOL - How Hillary Clinton could still get in the White House.
The establishment of the left and right want Trump out. Impeachment calls were made in the media even before Trump got elected. Nothing has changed.
YouTube - A Group Of Democrats Just Officially Moved To Impeach Donald Trump As President | TIME. Now, we have six Democrats calling for Trump's impeachment, partly based on their claim that he denigrated the Court and the Media. Scratch your head on that one. If allowed, it would mean that you cannot vote for someone who does not respect the media or the courts. Congress does not get to create the requirements for being President, the Constitution did that already.
While the corporate media wants you to believe that denying your right to choose your President is about Trump, it is not, they would have done the same with Bernie Sanders. The difference is that the Democratic primaries were so rigged that Sanders never had a chance.
You have to ask why the establishment is so afraid of Trump. They are not, they are afraid that the public is waking up and will no longer support them. The Occupy Movement and the Tea Party scared the establishment to the core; but, Trump and Sanders could not be eliminated as easily. The establishment fears the people taking control of our democracy back. They deride "populism" (democracy) and the voters as stupid and uninformed. They do understand what is going on, the people are fed up and are tired of seeing a system where all the benefits go to a few and the rest continually lose out.
Lets say they could prove that Trump paid hackers to hack the DNC server, guess what, even his supporters would be okay with him being impeached for that. If he were impeached for insulting the media, expect to see dead politicians that voted for that impeachment. You cannot expect to deny people the right to choose their President and have it go well, that is insanity and desperation.
The problem with the trade agreements and the climate accords is that they gave away power to other countries to decide our laws. Those agreements deny nations their right to self determination and people know it. An establishment that will not share decision making with the governed is not long for this world.
UPDATE:
MSN - The Hill - Clinton: DOJ investigating me would be 'abuse of power'. Hillary believes that the Justice Department investigating her over Uranium One would be an abuse of power even though her foundation took $140 million from people involved in the deal. Still, she had no problem with President Obama telling these same people to investigated Trump after he won the election based upon a bogus dossier that she commissioned and paid for that was compiled by foreign agents and Kremlin officials. She really does believe she is above the law.
Fortune - Conservatives Grasp For a Plan to Stop Trump. Another article from March of 2016. The article outlines a plan that if it looked like Trump would win the parties nomination, the party establishment would run a third party against Trump with the intent of having Congress pick the President rather than the people.
New York Daily News - Here’s how the Electoral College could prevent a Donald Trump presidency, even if he wins the popular vote. Even before the Presidential election, the establishment was calling for voiding the election if Trump won.
New York Post - The one scenario that could still get Hillary into the White House. Immediately after the election last year, there were calls to ignore the votes and have the Electoral College decide who would be President and give it to Hillary.
AOL - How Hillary Clinton could still get in the White House.
The establishment of the left and right want Trump out. Impeachment calls were made in the media even before Trump got elected. Nothing has changed.
YouTube - A Group Of Democrats Just Officially Moved To Impeach Donald Trump As President | TIME. Now, we have six Democrats calling for Trump's impeachment, partly based on their claim that he denigrated the Court and the Media. Scratch your head on that one. If allowed, it would mean that you cannot vote for someone who does not respect the media or the courts. Congress does not get to create the requirements for being President, the Constitution did that already.
While the corporate media wants you to believe that denying your right to choose your President is about Trump, it is not, they would have done the same with Bernie Sanders. The difference is that the Democratic primaries were so rigged that Sanders never had a chance.
You have to ask why the establishment is so afraid of Trump. They are not, they are afraid that the public is waking up and will no longer support them. The Occupy Movement and the Tea Party scared the establishment to the core; but, Trump and Sanders could not be eliminated as easily. The establishment fears the people taking control of our democracy back. They deride "populism" (democracy) and the voters as stupid and uninformed. They do understand what is going on, the people are fed up and are tired of seeing a system where all the benefits go to a few and the rest continually lose out.
Lets say they could prove that Trump paid hackers to hack the DNC server, guess what, even his supporters would be okay with him being impeached for that. If he were impeached for insulting the media, expect to see dead politicians that voted for that impeachment. You cannot expect to deny people the right to choose their President and have it go well, that is insanity and desperation.
The problem with the trade agreements and the climate accords is that they gave away power to other countries to decide our laws. Those agreements deny nations their right to self determination and people know it. An establishment that will not share decision making with the governed is not long for this world.
UPDATE:
MSN - The Hill - Clinton: DOJ investigating me would be 'abuse of power'. Hillary believes that the Justice Department investigating her over Uranium One would be an abuse of power even though her foundation took $140 million from people involved in the deal. Still, she had no problem with President Obama telling these same people to investigated Trump after he won the election based upon a bogus dossier that she commissioned and paid for that was compiled by foreign agents and Kremlin officials. She really does believe she is above the law.
Tuesday, November 14, 2017
A Day or Two
I had to do a little physical labor today and it really took it out of me. My legs are still killing me. Fortunately a friend of mine did the heavy lifting. As a consequence it is going to be a day or two before I get back to retyping the story. I will finish typing what I have.
Sunday, November 12, 2017
A Little Drive - Chapter 5, Part 1
A Little Drive - Chapter 1
A Little Drive - Chapter 2
Chapter 5: Time to Go
When Charles awoke he could smell the coffee and bacon being prepared in the kitchen by Dee Dee. He walked out to the kitchen and said hello. "Good morning Charlie", Dee Dee said as she handed him a warm cup of coffee fixed just the way he liked it. "Looks like today is the big day", she said.
Charles coughed a couple of times and then thanked her. "I must of have a beer too many last night and a few too many cigarettes cause my throats a little sore and so is my head". Charels finished his coffee and then took a shower and dressed. After getting dressed he went out to the kitchen and finished his breakfast with Dee Dee and Stuart.
"Hey Chuck", said Stuart, "How much money you got left?"
Charles said, "Well after getting my checks I figure I had a little over six grand, spent about $400 on parts and things so I got about $5,500 left."
Stuart frowned, "Did you think about how much need when you get back? Your going to need first and last months rent, deposit for utilities and money to tide you over while you find a new job. You gotta be looking at $1,500 when you get back".
"How much of your money are you bringing with you in cash?" asked Stuart.
"All of it". said Charles.
"What? Are you crazy?" asked Stuart. "Listen, you'd better get some traveler's checks. What if you get mugged or something? When you go down to the bank to cash your check, see if you can get two grand or so in traveler's checks and keep the rest in cash for the places that won't take the checks>
Charles stood up and said, "Well, I packed everything last night and I think it is time to go." Charles said. He kissed Francine and Dee Dee goodbye and they all headed out to the car. After kissing Dee Dee one last time and hugging Stuart he drove off to the bank and then to San Francisco.
As Charles drove down the freeway he began to feel sad about leaving his family. For a few seconds he even thought as if he might cry. These thoughts eventually passed as he began to thing about what lay ahead. He thought about the places he would be seeing and the people he would meet. As he drove through Vacaville he could smell the onions that grew there and swore that he would try to avoid driving there ever again.
He pulled into San Francisco around four o'clock and, after driving over the Bay Bridge he headed for the Golden Gate Bridge. He drove over the Golden Gate and then immediately turned around and drove back. He went over it just so he could say he did.
By five-thirty he had managed to find Fisherman's Wharf, so he parked his car and took a short walk to look at the different sites. Charles was amazed by the mime he saw and by how colorful and lively the city seemed.
Charles at dinner at one of the fancier restaurants, spending nearly $60 for his meal. He had a steak and lobster and while he ate it he looked at the others in the restaurant. He thought the restaurant was incredible and was surprised that nobody in the restaurant noticed how nice it was or to be in the slightest bit impressed by the service or food. It was like they took it for granted. The otherse seemed as comfortable as if they were in a Denny's.
When he left the restaurant it was already dark. He headed to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum and then over to the Guinness Book of World Records Museum. As the he left the Guiness Museum he was considering staying the night; but, he was interrupted by a man in a nice suit who asked him if he would like some company. Charles was a little taken aback by the man and decided to head further south before deciding on a place to stay for the night.
Getting in his car, Charles was still trying to decide where to stay for the night. He thought he could drive all the way to Los Angeles but wanted to enjoy the drive and stay in at least San Louis Obispo, which was a couple miles down the road. He drove further south and as he was leaving San Francisco he found that he needed to stop at a gas station to get some throat lozenges as his throat was sorer. He also picked up some aspirin and face tissue.
Drivng down the freeway while sneezing and coughing he was listening to one of the local jazz stations. A tune called "Groove Yard" was being played and Charles began to imagine himself as a modern day Jack Kerouac. Still, as he drove, he could not seem to settle into the drive and was beginning to feel more chilly.
By the time he got to Monterey he was too sick to continue and ended up pulling into some small motel along the way and checked in for the night. Somehow he managed to get all of his possessions into the motel and after settling in he went right to sleep.
________________________________________________________
PIMPERNEL COMMENT:
I have to be honest. I haven't read this in well over a decade. I wrote it in about 1985 and updated in around 93 or 94. I wrote it before the internet existed. The original car in the story was a Rambler with a cassette tape. Most people wouldn't know what I was talking about today. There were no cell phones when I wrote this story. There were but nobody had them, people used pagers and that was just for a few businessmen.
So much has changed since I wrote this. In the end the story is about disappointment. It is about the difference between aspirational images of the world and the reality of it. I had graduated from graduate school, got married and got injured. I couldn't work or walk well for a year. My ex got a job for that year and I took care of my step daughter and learned to cook and clean. I found myself having lived in multiple states, graduating law school and having to move back to the same apartment buildings I had lived in when I was very young.
You can do all the things they tell you that you should to succeed and still fail. That was what I was trying to convey at that time. Yes, I did do very well later and still have many options open to me; but, in the end I learned you can lose it all in a second. I have asked this before. On 9-11 there was a guy sitting on a toilet in the Twin Towers. He was complaining about the stock market or his wife or his car or welfare or whatever and a plane flew into his rear-end and he died not knowing what had just occurred.
This story was about how we fool ourselves into believing that anything is possible for everyone. Take a moment with that. It is hard for me to retype this, not just because of my arthritis. I want to rewrite the whole thing, every sentence. I would word it and write it so much better today; but, I don't want to rewrite the story. It spoke for a time in my life and a point I wanted to make. I wrote this 32 years ago. I was in my 20s. LOL. I wrote it long hand and only transcribed it almost 10 years later.
I am going to force myself to post the rest of it. I don't know how much I will need to rewrite to avoid losing my mind. I just don't want to rewrite it all. I want to get back to writing my story about vampires and the rat pack. If my scanner worked, I would scan the story and not worry about all the mistakes; but, it does not.
A Little Drive - Chapter 2
Chapter 5: Time to Go
When Charles awoke he could smell the coffee and bacon being prepared in the kitchen by Dee Dee. He walked out to the kitchen and said hello. "Good morning Charlie", Dee Dee said as she handed him a warm cup of coffee fixed just the way he liked it. "Looks like today is the big day", she said.
Charles coughed a couple of times and then thanked her. "I must of have a beer too many last night and a few too many cigarettes cause my throats a little sore and so is my head". Charels finished his coffee and then took a shower and dressed. After getting dressed he went out to the kitchen and finished his breakfast with Dee Dee and Stuart.
"Hey Chuck", said Stuart, "How much money you got left?"
Charles said, "Well after getting my checks I figure I had a little over six grand, spent about $400 on parts and things so I got about $5,500 left."
Stuart frowned, "Did you think about how much need when you get back? Your going to need first and last months rent, deposit for utilities and money to tide you over while you find a new job. You gotta be looking at $1,500 when you get back".
"How much of your money are you bringing with you in cash?" asked Stuart.
"All of it". said Charles.
"What? Are you crazy?" asked Stuart. "Listen, you'd better get some traveler's checks. What if you get mugged or something? When you go down to the bank to cash your check, see if you can get two grand or so in traveler's checks and keep the rest in cash for the places that won't take the checks>
Charles stood up and said, "Well, I packed everything last night and I think it is time to go." Charles said. He kissed Francine and Dee Dee goodbye and they all headed out to the car. After kissing Dee Dee one last time and hugging Stuart he drove off to the bank and then to San Francisco.
As Charles drove down the freeway he began to feel sad about leaving his family. For a few seconds he even thought as if he might cry. These thoughts eventually passed as he began to thing about what lay ahead. He thought about the places he would be seeing and the people he would meet. As he drove through Vacaville he could smell the onions that grew there and swore that he would try to avoid driving there ever again.
He pulled into San Francisco around four o'clock and, after driving over the Bay Bridge he headed for the Golden Gate Bridge. He drove over the Golden Gate and then immediately turned around and drove back. He went over it just so he could say he did.
By five-thirty he had managed to find Fisherman's Wharf, so he parked his car and took a short walk to look at the different sites. Charles was amazed by the mime he saw and by how colorful and lively the city seemed.
Charles at dinner at one of the fancier restaurants, spending nearly $60 for his meal. He had a steak and lobster and while he ate it he looked at the others in the restaurant. He thought the restaurant was incredible and was surprised that nobody in the restaurant noticed how nice it was or to be in the slightest bit impressed by the service or food. It was like they took it for granted. The otherse seemed as comfortable as if they were in a Denny's.
When he left the restaurant it was already dark. He headed to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum and then over to the Guinness Book of World Records Museum. As the he left the Guiness Museum he was considering staying the night; but, he was interrupted by a man in a nice suit who asked him if he would like some company. Charles was a little taken aback by the man and decided to head further south before deciding on a place to stay for the night.
Getting in his car, Charles was still trying to decide where to stay for the night. He thought he could drive all the way to Los Angeles but wanted to enjoy the drive and stay in at least San Louis Obispo, which was a couple miles down the road. He drove further south and as he was leaving San Francisco he found that he needed to stop at a gas station to get some throat lozenges as his throat was sorer. He also picked up some aspirin and face tissue.
Drivng down the freeway while sneezing and coughing he was listening to one of the local jazz stations. A tune called "Groove Yard" was being played and Charles began to imagine himself as a modern day Jack Kerouac. Still, as he drove, he could not seem to settle into the drive and was beginning to feel more chilly.
By the time he got to Monterey he was too sick to continue and ended up pulling into some small motel along the way and checked in for the night. Somehow he managed to get all of his possessions into the motel and after settling in he went right to sleep.
________________________________________________________
PIMPERNEL COMMENT:
I have to be honest. I haven't read this in well over a decade. I wrote it in about 1985 and updated in around 93 or 94. I wrote it before the internet existed. The original car in the story was a Rambler with a cassette tape. Most people wouldn't know what I was talking about today. There were no cell phones when I wrote this story. There were but nobody had them, people used pagers and that was just for a few businessmen.
So much has changed since I wrote this. In the end the story is about disappointment. It is about the difference between aspirational images of the world and the reality of it. I had graduated from graduate school, got married and got injured. I couldn't work or walk well for a year. My ex got a job for that year and I took care of my step daughter and learned to cook and clean. I found myself having lived in multiple states, graduating law school and having to move back to the same apartment buildings I had lived in when I was very young.
You can do all the things they tell you that you should to succeed and still fail. That was what I was trying to convey at that time. Yes, I did do very well later and still have many options open to me; but, in the end I learned you can lose it all in a second. I have asked this before. On 9-11 there was a guy sitting on a toilet in the Twin Towers. He was complaining about the stock market or his wife or his car or welfare or whatever and a plane flew into his rear-end and he died not knowing what had just occurred.
This story was about how we fool ourselves into believing that anything is possible for everyone. Take a moment with that. It is hard for me to retype this, not just because of my arthritis. I want to rewrite the whole thing, every sentence. I would word it and write it so much better today; but, I don't want to rewrite the story. It spoke for a time in my life and a point I wanted to make. I wrote this 32 years ago. I was in my 20s. LOL. I wrote it long hand and only transcribed it almost 10 years later.
I am going to force myself to post the rest of it. I don't know how much I will need to rewrite to avoid losing my mind. I just don't want to rewrite it all. I want to get back to writing my story about vampires and the rat pack. If my scanner worked, I would scan the story and not worry about all the mistakes; but, it does not.
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