Mondo Bungle

warning: this post contains moments of mass stupidity and bad judgement

Walking in the direction of the train station, enjoying my snowcone. the homeless man mentioned that I could probably board without a ticket. It was about eight blocks away, twice as many has he said. I got to the tracks and posted up on the island. I purchased a ticket, better safe than sorry. Finished my drink and the train arrived not too long after I got there. I boarded onto the middle car, looked around, but we set off immediately. Kinda bummed, I really didn't have to buy the ticket. A buck fifty less now. The train followed it's route through the city, past a Maverik events center. The sign read "Rush tonight. Sold out". Right about now I figured I could be seeing concerts while I'm out if I happen across them. The first time I made the realization. Obviously not Rush or any huge band, too expensive. Bands I like generally do cheapies. The train made it to another station where I would transfer to the route headed to the library.

I soon arrived at the library district. Dude was right, this library is immaculate. One whole city block dedicated to this library and the other library-related zones in the district. Four stories high. I went in on the ground level. It looks genuinely like a mall, on the main floor especially. Many services offered here, a masseuse, café, book shops. I wonder if this is a nation renowned library, probably could be, I'm just seeing it now. I browsed a directory in search of a computer use area, but to my surprise they were available on every floor. I went to the top one, least crowded. Inquired at the help desk for the procedure, and got an internet pass for two hours use. It was six o'clock now, and I figured I'd stay here in SLC for the night. Logged in to inform my friends I've made it this far, and even made a new Trouble Salad track. "Welcome to the Interstate", a fifty minute drone.

The library closed at eight, but was open everyday. Starting slightly to get dark... I wandered.

Looking for possible places to sleep, but pretty much no luck in this urban city. I walked around for a bit, familiarizing myself, taking note of what was there and in relation to where else. I found a church but couldn't go in. Always figured churches were always open, guess not. I walked for maybe an hour, maybe two, sat down in a courtyard across the street from the library. I rested my chin on my folder arms leaning on the tabletop. Hmm, what to do, where to go. I pulled out my traveling pipe, aware that I was out of weed but going for a resin hit. Usually effective, I got three good ones. I man sits on another bench using a laptop. I was reminded of mine, which I had in my backpack. I smashed it on the floor and it lost functionality, jammed something in the hard drive. That was a while ago, pulled it out just to if it's the same. Yep, not working.

I wanted to stay within say, five blocks of the library. after exploring the each street in each way, making occasional turns here and there, I stopped back at the library and sat on a bench. Let my bags down beside my, used the smaller one as a pillow and stretched out on the bench. Not looking to sleep right now, just taking a break. Although, with the sleep I'm already lacking, things happen that are out of your control. More microsleep. Watching out for any whacky looking people. While wandering the streets I noticed a heavy amount of homeless people, just one every few feet basically. No hostile encounters yet though. I sat back upright on the bench, and was approached by a homeless man. "Hey son, do you have a cigarette by chance? I mean I know you're out here and all."

"No, I don't smoke, sorry about that." He walked away muttering to himself. I've managed to kill a good few hours, it was one now. Be careful, I thought to myself. Sleep eludes me. I was now approached by another man, younger. Sporting a backpack and medium length hair tied into a bun. He came up and sat beside me, asking what I was doing.

"Just kinda waiting around, don't know the place." I said.

"Homeless?" He spoke quietly.

"I guess you could say that."

"This is your first time here huh?"

"Yeah. I'm on a little trek right now."

"I don't got anywhere to stay either, at least not tonight." I nodded to acknowledge the statement. The conversation came to a short pause while he dug through is pockets. I was looking in the opposite direction, and turned back to see him handing me a card. Hm? I thought, then saw the white powder on it. He's offering some coke and I accepted, and snorted the bump smoothly. "My name's Rex." He said.

"Loren."

"Just literally, chillin?"

"It's what I do best."

"You do any tagging?" He asked.

"Nah, not my thing."

"Let's go somewhere else, I know a wall we could bomb." While we walked through town side by side, we shared conversation about drugs, travel, whatever. He filled me in on some stuff around here. Said he's got a place that's always looking for new help to get paid. I'd have to stay here for a while though, and keep in touch with this guy. Not happening. We walked into an alleyway where he dropped his backpack and pulled out two cans of spraypaint, and handed one to me.

"Alright." I said. Well I guess I'll accept it. I wrote "Smack City" on the wall, first thing that popped into my mind. He offered me another bump which I snorted through the other nostril. After we finished here, I'm thinking it's either two or three now. We walked around some more and came to a building, it's purpose unknown to me. "I'm crashin. Here, give me your bags and I'll toss them up, then give you a boost."

Didn't feel like this really. "Actually I think I'm just gonna head back to the library." He jumped up to the roof.

"Alright then. Not crashin?"

"Not really. Take it easy though." I said as I left the area. Back to the bench where I'd been earlier. This coke sucks. I've no tolerance to it, but those two bumps did nothing. Felt absolutely nothing. Oh well, I didn't pay for it. More microsleep as I stretched out again. Not many people around. So a few hours passed, and the sun began rising. The time flew right by. The library opens at nine. Even if it's four now, still got a five hour wait. While brightness increased, I actually fell asleep for an hour, but, still waiting.

Morning was in full spring and I went in to use a computer again. Not really much I can think of doing, so I left soon. Before leaving the building, I browsed their CD selection out of curiosity. Damn, there was some real good stuff here, lots of it. The CD aisles in the libraries I'm familiar with are very weak. Here we had some Swans, Throbbing Gristle, and a plethora of things I loved. Too bad I can't check them out.

I left at ten and went to the train station nearest me. Didn't buy a ticket this time, but boarded all the same. I rode the train back to the area I was dropped off yesterday, at least I'd hoped. I ended up just following sings directing you to the highway on foot. It's not like anything bad happened to me, but I really disliked it here and wanted to leave asap. Still walking in the direction the signs lead, I came through an industrial are, beneath an overpass with busted up buildings and factories. Couldn't see the highway. A car was driving behind me on the opposite side of the street at a snail's pace. It pulled up in front of me to reveal an old man. Here comes that stupidity, but I didn't think it through right now. bad call.

"You need a ride anywhere?" He said.

"Uh, well, I'm just trying to get on the highway. Do you know the way?"

"I'll drive you. Throw your stuff in the back." And I did, then got in the passenger seat. I'm thinking I really shouldn't have. This guy rolled up like sexual predator 101. I acted to fast. "Thirsty? Let's get a soda. I'll stop at McDonald's. What kind you want?"

"Oh you don't have to."

"It's nothing."

"I guess I could go for a Sprite." He asked me what I was doing, traveling, I explained. While at the computer lab I looked for any concerts near me soon. "Looking for shows, I dunno." Explained my thoughts and feelings, my quest thus far.

"You seem like a great and smart kid." He said, peeling his hand of the steering wheel and placing it on my leg. Here we go. Overcome with a sense of extreme anxiety and danger, the man began to grope my thigh area. I resisted, pushing his hand away. "Move your hand. Just a little bit." He said. "You know that this would happen."

Somewhere inside I did.

Caressing me, continuing to say "Just for a second". I was obviously uncomfortable right now. I'm not confrontational, and in my head I reviewed my options to resist and get away. I had my stuff in the back, I felt like I could run the risk of losing it, or a violent encounter. Still trying to force the hand away, until he stopped.

"You've got a good head on your shoulders. You know what you're doing." I didn't reply. "Come on." He said. no reply. "I'll drop you off up here at the highway heading east." So we stopped, he let me out, poked his head through the window and said "No hard feelings?"

"I hope someone comes a long and knocks what teeth you have down your throat." I said sternly. "**** off." He drove away now. Once I was out of the car, I felt normal again. Kept the sprite and continued to gulp it down. Looking back at what just happened, I let out a chuckle for some odd reason. "Damn, I was just molested. Oh well, that's gonna happen isn't it." I can't say how or why I made light of the situation, but I stood on the highway unscathed.

The space between me and the road was smaller than usual, but I did find a space where cars could both see me and pull off. I was here for a short time, five minutes, if that. A pickup truck pulled over. "Where are you going?" The driver asked.

"Park City."

"Put your stuff in the bed, that's where we're headed now."

"Hey sweet, thanks." I got in on the left side, accompanied by three brawny Hawaiians.

"We work in Park City."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah brother, do you live there?"

"No, I'm just hitchhiking. No reason these days." The Hawaiians all let out joyous laughter at various quips along the way.

"You got to get yourself a wife man. I good and caring, Mormon wife. We are Mormon, look for a Mormon church man. I'm telling you, you need to."

"Sure, I'll consider it." I lied. They were still some great people. The cheerfulness and boasting laughter lightened my spirits.

We made it to Park City and pulled into a drive-thru. "What do you want?" I was asked. Always saying "you don't have to", but the always do, and I was hungry. They ordered me a meal and stopped in the parking lot. "Hey we don't have much but this is it." The driver said offering a five. The passenger came over and offered another.

"Hey thanks a lot, for the ride too."

"Don't mention it man. Remember to find that Mormon wife." The departed and I sat at an outdoor to eat my meal. Looked like a small and cozy place. After finishing, I went to a store to buy two bottles of water. I guess the ones I had fell out in the truck. Also asked around for directions to a library, as usually. I was directed to a building, home of multiple services, library included. I figured the same things are generally near a library, in case I come across any of it. Post offices, courthouses, senior centers, police stations and recreation centers have proven to be common library-adjacent establishments, at least in my experience.

Same deal, computer pass, hour use.

I wouldn't stay in Park City too long. By early evening I'd find myself following the road further east, hoping for another ride. It wasn't too late, I should have some luck, just be patient. I was picked up after fifteen or so minutes by a man heading to a nearby junction. "Hey, it's something." He said. "A few more miles." I rode with him to the junction, dropped off at a truck stop, thanked him. Bought more miscellaneous food items to carry.

Crossed the highway to stand beneath a sign. One more ride, I thought. Was soon picked up by a truck driver. He would give me some very thorough directions and advice, about directions I'd want to go and places to sleep. "I'm going a little past Coalville, but the town I'm stopping in has much less traffic. Probably would want to try for a ride in Coalville instead."

"Yeah you can drop me there." Twenty minute drive, and I'm now in Coalville, Utah. One of those small towns that you picture when you think small towns. Very quaint. In the front of town was a gas station, next door a Subway. Next to that the road intersected with the main street of town.

I lazed around after darkness. Off a little bit, maybe a football field away, was a bare field of tall grass, in between the highway roads going either way. A lone tree stood here. This is where I would camp. Out of the way, no environment hazards, protection as well as shade. Flattened a place to unroll my sleeping bag, and would lie on my side watching the night sky. Distant lightning bolts shed light on the dark. Huge bolts, some of the largest and brightest I've seen. Thunder crashed quietly with long delays. I guess the storm is pretty far away, I thought.

"This is nice. This scene here, the magnificently luminescent lightning, warmth from my sleeping bag. Comfort. I'm doing alright I guess. But you know, I can't shake this feeling, something's not here. Something's lost."

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