Cinder
block building, vynyl awning swaying in the wind. A painted plywood sign reads
bar. a dark interior filled with the musty air of a window air conditioner.
It takes a few minutes to adjust to the light, as tin foil covers the only window,
blocking the hot afternoon sun. The interior is lit by two tvs mounted in opposite
corners and a few exposed linear fluorescent lamps. The bar is empty except
for the bartender, one customer and a blue tick hound in the corner. bits of
conversation can be heard over the headline news.
ely, nevada
Out
of the desert blackness stands the bright lights, appearing even brighter amidst
the backdrop of nothingness. The 76 gas and eat truck plaza. Scrolling letters
written with flashing lights, buffet 5.99, diesel gasoline. The black asphalt
parking lot reflects yellow halogen lamps dissolving the Milky Way from view.
Trucks move like centipedes in and out of the lot, their agriculture products
headed for the Midwest. The sound of refrigerator trucks and their engines kept
humming, filling the air with the sound and smell of diesel fuel. There is a
strange comfort here, after having experienced the stillness of the desert,
after hearing nothing but the wind and high pitched echo of your nervous system.
The desire to be removed from the cramp still air of the truck cab, propels
you forward into the light.
austin, nevada
