Random musing

Though hitting the road hasn’t the same effect that it once did for me — it used to crack open my mind in ways unheard of. One of the pleasures of youth and how many things are new in your world (mine at least). But that’s not to say that the road has no effect, simply a minimal one. Here I’m driving on I90 east of Seattle. The trip had allowed me to at least think of how to solve the problem of being hit by the muse while driving. I believe that the great Tom Waites had the same issue and would simply tell the muse not to bother him at such a time. I wish that I had the luxury. My muse is pretty jealous and does damage when I tell it to let me be. So I use the recorder on my phone. A great convenience, this. When this picture was taken, traffic was too hectic for even that so I took a picture and tried to remember.

Thing is, I’m not that big a fan of sitting in a car for too long. Old joints (from jumping off planes and running with 80# packs) will do that to you, I suppose. Though I mainly see it as an issue of lost time and sustainability.

Here the muse had hit in a different way and I saw a creature driving a car(not seen). Funny how our hyperactive postmodern minds barely register such a view. As real as it looked I was certain it was just a prank and said nothing more. As night drew near, however I started to doubt this rational thought of mine.

Nevertheless, I am still trying to use my time in cars more efficiently, with the hope that I can create something of value. If you’ve been reading the captions, you will have seen how the creature was easily explained by a rational mind. But I drive by an exit, everything on fire, creature running, driving away, and my primordial mind kicks in and I know I’m being hunted the creature now following me I a car much too powerful for my Toyota Corolla to outrun or outmaneuver.

When I realized the creature was following, the road was abandoned — not a single other car to be seen, and a suffocating quietness enveloped my soul. I cannot explain the sound of the road noise in my econo-car and the beating of my heart right up in my ears as the high beams of the creature’s car behind me let me know that It knew that I knew.

Too bad I didn’t have a gun, I thought, knowing full well that if this didn’t end well, the political powers that represent the right would use me as an effigy of why you always carry a gun. I thought on my short story about the gun as a gateway and how suicide inspired that piece. Now it would be the lack of protection that would inspire my next one.

It was more than obvious that I was alone on the freeway, and that the creature was some apparition from a more sinister dimension as the usual exits refused to show up and the mile markers were gone. I was officially up shit’s creek. Even my car started to act abnormally. Finally the creature pulled up beside me and pointed. My engine died. I looked for a weapon,even if this would be futile. The creature was huge, at least 500 pounds, and it moved with a swiftness that was anything but human. It would make short work of me, but I couldn’t give up.

I pulled my car over and the creature drove by me, then stopped a few hundred yards in front of me. my heart rate was jacked, so I took a few breaths and thought on what I could do. The creature stepped out, as in hand and started to run up to me. It was fast and I stepped out, if only not to be a coward.

Then my car died. I was lucky there was still light and the creature could not hide in the dark. That would have ended me pretty quickly. But I realized that years after trying to shed the coat of violence I now needed it badly. Funny what the fates do to our most well laid plans. Funny how a road trip can turn so deadly so quickly. I had been worried about the gators (exploding semi-truck tires) and accidents of stupidity, but I had never expected demons.

Suddenly the creature veered off the road, disappeared. My heart stopped, was it a flanking maneuver? I heard another car. I turned to see a truck jacked up high and with wheels the size of me. There were Trump stickers all over it. A man peeked out. Need help? Yes.

He jumped out, sporting a red make America great again hat and checked out my engine. What did you do?! I started to explain the creature, but stopped myself. He grinned at me. I felt that he knew. He pulled out the battery and handed me a new one. Car started like new. He looked me over. What are you doing here? I paused. Something had changed in his voice. What you mean? This highway. I grew defensive and threw the question back at him. Going to see the devil, he said, smiling. But, I countered, and he shook his head. Looks like you’ve met him already and he don’t care for you. Best to head the other way. And he cares for you I asked again, not quite sure if I was actually hearing this.

The man laughed, amused at my reaction. I sensed that I needed push my luck and I thanked him and drove off.