Broke in L.A. -
Me and little green (78 Datsun b210) were on our way to work
on Wilshire Blvd., just off the 101. She overheats, smoke rising
the whole bit, so I pull off on the shoulder of the freeway and
wait for her to cool off, then limp on in to work. Evening shift.
I work late, till about 2 or so, then back to Pasadena. Not long
after getting on the freeway, overheat, so I pull to side and wait
about 20 minutes to cool and head off again. A little further
up the road, she overheats again, so I pull back over. By now
I'm thrashed and fall asleep as I sit there.. the window down
'cause it was a warm night. Oh yeah, I was a computer operator.
(that's relevant later)
Next thing I know, there's this really bright light
in my eyes so I open 'em. You know what's it like when you get
woke up and you're not back yet? Very confusing, no thoughts,
the brain-waves are flat-line.. just impressions. So I see two
hulking forms in dark clothes leaning down, telling me to get out
of the car (I can translate words, just don't have any of my own).
So I do. They say go stand in front of the car. I go. They ask
"why are you here?". I blink. By now I've taken in that not only
are they huge, they have on uniforms and Guns, and of course that
big, too-bright flashlight.. and they look serious so instinct
tells me I'd best SAY something. Brain is still dead, so I look
around.. for clues. I see a sign hanging up in the air, it's green
with white letters.. and it has JOB NAMES on it. I take a breath
and find my voice, "I'm here to run jobs," I proclaim.
The two over-sized men look at me, unamused, and say "What?"
From their look and tone, I know I've given the wrong answer (common
with me). I shift from foot to foot and look around some more..
freeway - yes this a freeway.. and that's my car - my car - yes,
I know why I'm here. I suck it up again and say, "My car overheated
and I was letting cool off. I fell asleep, I quess."
They accept this answer, not gracefully I don't think, but
they did. And they tell me next time to get off the freeway first
and they leave. I collapse in my car, sure I've averted.. something.
and head on for home. After one more stop (off the freeway) to
cool, I make it.
No screaming, and no Dales but there it is. Though one of
the big guys mighta been a Dale, I didn't ask. |
