Connellsville (2 of 4) (238 hits)
Category: NoneRating: 1 on 2 reviews (Rate this item) (V)
Submitted by SDNRNR (View user info) at 2006-08-13 22:35:35 EDT
Part 1 http://ubersite.com/m/91115
"The Mayor"
How long had the needle been on "E"?
The likelihood that I would run out of gas was slim. Over the years I've gained an easy confidence believing that below "e" meant it was time to get gas, not to start worrying about running out. Although with my needle now wilting bellow the red line, rational thought would indicate otherwise. And yet again, same as the countless times before, a sign for the local exit appeared. I took a sigh of relief, certain that on fumes alone I would make it to the oasis safely.
I had crossed into Pennsylvania, but how far or exactly where I was unsure. This was a small town, same-same as the others I have traveled through on past journeys. I looked around to see if I could put a name to the place. There were no town markers in site and upon hearing the familiar gurgle of petrol and click of the nozzle my eyes fell upon the local diner. With my gas tank now replenished, a sensor of a different sort signaled it was time to take care of my near empty stomach.
"How are ya?" A voice came from a few chairs down, but apparently directed at me.
"Uh, doing alright, how you doin? " I replied.
"I can't complain", the voice now had the face of a pleasant looking middle aged man. He was dressed in a blue cotton oxford above a pair of khaki pants and topped with a bow-tie that gave him an air of eccentricity that clashed against his otherwise business casual demeanor.
The waitress delivered my burger and refreshed my coffee. She then turned in the direction of my new friend.
"Fill your cup, Mayor?"
"Sure Betty, take it to the top".
My first thought had been to get back to my sandwich, but considering this was "The Mayor", I felt an uncontrollable urge to carry-on, for no other reason then that it might lead to something interesting.
"Oh, you're the mayor, what an honor".
"That's right, been Mayor of Connellsville since probably before you were born."
"Connellsville, how ironic, I have a brother named Connell."
I smiled in an easy, unnoticeable kind of way.
"Is that right?" he replied. "Good Irishman then I bet."
"Oh ya, he's a good Irishman alright".
My smile matured into a chuckle.
"Wouldn't happen to have any town t-shirts would you?"
I imagined Connell brandishing a nice polyester blend with "CONNELLSVILLE" emblazoned across his chest. The chuckle blossomed into open laughter.
"Nope, can't say that there has been much of a demand for those". The Mayor turned away. My question had apparently struck a nerve.
"Oh well, it would have made a nice gift." It was only a thought though. On this day I figured it best to let "The Mayor" have the last word.
With this I returned to my meal, and, as according to plan, it vanished in a few bites. After cleaning the juicy remains with the last of the French fries, I pulled out my wallet.
Passing over the single dollar's I counted 4, 5, 6....not enough for a tip. I would have to dig a little deeper, and in doing so I came across an old business card. Pulling it out for closer inspection I was over-taken by a sensation that was at once around me, in me, and through me. As suddenly as it arrived, it passed. It was then that I gave into a sudden urge to have a little fun and to do some shameless promoting.
User Reviews
Submitted by Bubba2341 (user info) at 2006-08-14 20:33:16 EDT (#)
Ranking: 1
The grammar and sentence structure both need some work, but I see a story coming up. . .
Submitted by highersound (user info) at 2006-08-13 22:38:55 EDT (#)
Ranking: 0
Regarding comments from Part 1.
I'll try to limit the expo's, and will do "try" to do improve my grammer/spelling/punctuation etc.