RITA'S RITING CHALLANGE #13

Picture provided by Vanessa

 

THE BED

We love to take the back roads when we travel. We usually are not in a hurry, so where the fancy strikes us we turn off the highways and take a road that sooner or later will come back into the highway. We have found some of the most quaint little Bed and Breakfast places, and little towns that look like they have stood still in time. And scenery that people would pay to see.

Well usually that is what happens, most of the time. Sometimes you strike it rich, and sometimes you just strike out. This trip was a strike out. The first part was great, we turned off of 7, and onto a two lane road that curved and twisted through some beautiful farmland, rows of crops and fruit trees, cows doing what cows do in stubble fields. Several fields were being irrigated by overhead sprayers, the rainbows chasing us along the fence line.

We left those sights soon behind us. The road became flat and straight, and mile after mile of dried withered grasses, At least there were trees to look at, but after a while even those became a monotonous green band behind dead and shiveraled growth.

We had been on this road for hours and hours, the same mind numbing view before us and behind us. The map sure did not look like the road was this long. I might have missed a turn, somewhere. I hate reading maps!!

We had been up for fourteen hours, and driving for eight. Tired was an understatement. We thought we might have to sleep in the car. But finally off in the distance we could see a building. As we got closer it looked like a motel!!! Happy is the man who has a place to lay his head. Until he gets close enough to see how run down the place was. You could not read the sign, except for the part that said MOTEL. The roof was more rust than sheetmetal. At least the place look like it had been whitewashed recently.

We were beat, but if there was a place closer we would continue to drive, if not, well, we did have a spray can of OFF in the trunk, and sleeping bags if the linens looked like the roof.

We pulled off in a dust cloud and gravel. No other cars in front, several junkers in back. Sure took me a while to get my joints loosened and stretched when I angled out of the drivers seat. My first steps unsteady ones until the stiffness was worked out. No one was in the office. I rang the little desk bell, and heard stirring in the back.

The biggest man I had ever seen bent through the open door in the back. When he stood he was within inches of the ceiling. A big white tooth filled grin welcomed me. "May I help you?"

"Yes, we were wondering how far the next town is?"

"Well, close to 240 miles from here, this road goes right back into 7 at Hydesport.

"Wow, I am never going to be able to drive that far today. How much are you rooms?

"$35.00, all we have are double beds. We do not get many people through here anymore since they put 7 in."

"I bet." I said. We will take the best room."

‘They are all the best’. He said. "Every bed guaranteed to be perfectly comfortable."

"That is good to hear, I am ready for a great sleep."

"You will sleep well sir, it is so quiet out here, so very quiet"

Here’s the $35.00, I would like a receipt please."

"Yes Sir, I did mention how comfortable the beds are? Like it was made just for you. We pride our selves on your comfort."

He handed me the room key and the receipt. As I was heading back to the car, I looked at the receipt, "why does that name sound familiar?" I thought, "so familiar. . ." and continued several more steps when I froze, mid step, in my tracks, like I had hit a brick wall. I squeezed my eyes tightly, opened them and read the receipt again. "Keep calm, don’t run, breathe , breathe I told myself, but I proceed to half run half walk to the car.

"Stay in the car, stay in the car!!"

I jerked open the drivers door, started the car up and tore out of the parking lot, the big fellow watching me through the office window

"What are you doing? Slow down!!!! Good lord, you are a white as a sheet!!"

I handed her the receipt: on it, at the top was printed:

PROCRUSTES MOTEL  

Guaranteed Comfort