chase scenes serial #22
passed by Chicago several moments ago and I have a wealth of supplementary episodes to implant in the frenzy of indelible ink. I have not determined yet whether I shall terminate composition at the end of the trip, when I reach Atlanta. Although it would give gravity to the project of writing this it would also sacrifice some episodes to memory, where they will disintegrate.‡ Medora was a ghost town. Apart from the Americinn and the Badlands Motel across the street, which appeared to be hosting the ‘Women’s Retreat’ at the community center, and the sole eating establishment, The Iron Horse Saloon, the town was empty and closed until the season began. We were dreadfully off-season. When we walked into the saloon, through a screened in patio on which were stacked tables and chairs, slid to the sides, the beerlights were covered with dust and the plank floor was uneven, the two women behind the bar looked rather put out and surprised, like when Dustin Hoffman first enters the pub in ‘Straw Dogs’ or when the Three Amigos first enter the pub in ‘The Three Amigos.’ Although, looking back now the whole state seemed to have a sort of cold “you should know how things work ’round here’ posture to it. From the young lady cashier at the Copper, no, no, the Trapper’s Kettle to the
