Charleston, WV

I give to you a story in eleventy-one words...

“Well, that’s bad,” Darren replied. “Want me to drive?”

“Nah, let’s see how the crab settles.”

It was a false alarm, Chris’ odorous emanations notwithstanding.

The car wound through the hills west of the Appalachians as Chris’ travel playlist started its second loop.

They entered the abandoned state capital after eight and checked in at the Quality Inn. Chris reiterated that it was the only stop on their journey at a chain hotel.

Well-traveled and moderately adventurous, Chris prided himself on finding local gems in order to appreciate quirky regional culture. When Darren asked why Chris hadn’t sought out a West Virginian gem, Chris responded, “Ain’t nobody got time for that!”

Cab

I give to you a story in eleventy-one words...

The soldiers turned abruptly, surprising Darren and causing tensions to mount.

Chris stood. “No need to start another war over little ol’ me,” he quipped weakly. The soldiers left.

“You look terrible,” Darren remarked.

“I feel worse than I look.”

“What happened?”

“I laid down; a guard poked me with a gun; I traipsed to the lobby; they paged you, but you don’t care; I laid down; the guard poked me again. I figured either you’d come or they’d haul me away. I didn’t care which.”

“What can I do?”

“Cab,” he groaned.

Chris returned to the hotel where he staggered between bed and bathroom for the rest of the trip.