September 29, 2016
Clarion, Pennsylvania
A quarter to 6:00p – Motel 8 – room 217 – rain
This place is the real deal.
My intention was to drive all the way to New York City today but there is a strange noise coming from the front driver’s side wheel on my truck so I am apprehensive about driving in the dark. So instead I stop driving and have a slice of berry pie and a cup of coffee and decide to hang out and I’m not disappointed. I imagine I’m like Kyle MacLachlan in Twin Peaks while I eat the pie and drink the coffee.
Char is the name of the Motel 8 front desk woman who checks me in and she has the kind of charm only a 300+ pound toothless woman can possess. I like her.
“Would you care for a smoking or nonsmoking room?” she asks. I am surprised a smoking room is still an option. Surprised and impressed. I tell her this and she tells me people can smoke inside the bars here, too. Excellent.
A small, brown spotted dog is laying on the floral pillow if a well-worn chair behind Char. It’s a cute dog and I get the impression that it has probably been laying there for a long, long time.
My room is spacious for 45 dollars. I use a metal house key to get in. There is one queen-sized bed, a television and a small table with two chairs. A couple of ashtrays, too. It smells horrible.
I’m pleased to be alone nonetheless, but do think it’d be nice to have some company if for no other reason than for them to share in the glory of this special flesh-colored-stale-cigarette-smoke-smelling-blissed-out-hellhole. A dying breed.
Char says I have good timing because there is a craft festival happening this week and “everyone will be here.”
I’m not yet sure who “everyone” is but I can imagine them and am looking forward to having a look.
I picked up a copy of the local paper in the office. It’s called The Clarion Mirror, which has a certain finesse to it that I like.
I think I might purchase a pack of shitty cigarettes and smoke inside and get the full effect of Clarion – really immerse myself.
… To be continued
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