Queen Of the Road. (standard:humor, 2311 words)
Author: Oscar A Rat	Added: Jul 09 2020	Views/Reads: 1216/864	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
The career of a special old Ford, as told by a junkyard dog.

Hi there. My name's Homer .... Homer the junkyard dog. You might think I
don't know nothin', being only a dog and not a very important one at 
that. But I do one hell a job, if you ask me, and have sired numerous 
litters a successful pups in my time. The girls love my brash, no 
nonsense, attitude. 

All us junkyard dogs get that way with the troubles that come with this
job. What with rats ta catch, and burglars and kids ta chase away or 
they'll steal my master blind. Believe me, buddy, it ain't any easy job 
I done got. 

But my job and life, tough as it is, is nothin' compared ta the lives a
some a my charges -- the cars and trucks stored here. Believe me, Jack, 
some a them have gone through hell before getting here, their final 
resting place. The end a the line, buddy.  At least I can do what I can 
ta make their retirements peaceful an uneventful. 

I spend a lot'a time lying under them, watching for trouble.  No
sleeping on the job for me. After awhile, I tend ta hear these guys and 
gals whisper their stories ta me.  Now cut it out, asshole, I'm not 
kidding or going nuts. They do whisper ta me. There's a lot a stories 
pent up in here, buddy, a whole lot. 

Like ... take this 1928 Ford, here.  She's a shy little thing now, but
that's only because she's old and a wreck. Betty's her name, but she 
prefers "Bootsy." Let me tell you Bootsy's story.... 

**** 

It was in late 1928 when she done rolled off the assembly line. I found
out long ago that cars don't acquire any personality until then, when 
they finally hit the pavement at the end a that line – finished and 
ready ta roll. 

Anyway, Bootsy was parked in the huge factory lot, ready ta be shipped,
the world at her feet -- or tires. She was full'a potential energy and 
raring ta go. You ever stand in a new car lot and feel the energy 
stored in those new vehicles, huh?  Looking like they're ready ta take 
ta the air.  I know you have. If you didn't have a good imagination you 
wouldn't even be reading this story, Jack. 

Well, in those huge parking lots, full a brand new cars, all anxious ta
go out and conquer the roads and highways, the feeling is almost 
tangible. And new Bootsy was no exception. If she'd had any fuel in her 
she would have literally flown out onto the freeway, spreading rubber 
across the country. 

Bootsy had a long wait, though, champing at the brake, so ta speak. It
took her a month ta be loaded onta a railcar for a trip ta Chicago, the 
Windy City. She enjoyed the train trip, studying the countryside, 
mostly the backs a houses and slum areas, all the way from Detroit ta 
Chi-town. 

Arriving in the Windy City, Bootsy found herself parked in a line a cars
at a car lot. For the next couple a days, she was treated ta a lot'a 
loving care. She had people shining her up, even scrubbing her tire 
treads with a brush.  Her insides were polished an re-polished, an her 
windshield shined ta reflect the sun. 

Little Bootsy felt like a queen, with all that attention. She had every
good feeling but love.  Bootsy realized it was only business but, 
still, it felt so good. People would open her doors an get inside, 
bouncing on her seats and turning her steering wheel, always telling 
her how beautiful she was. It felt so nice ta be in demand. 

But, as much as she enjoyed the attention, she wanted ta drive, drive,
drive. Not sit, sit, sit. 

Then, it finally happened.  For the first time, an employee took her ta
a gas pump an filled her up with gasoline. Bootsy could feel all that 
power waiting in her tank, roaring ta get out. A few final checks an 
she was parked out front a the building, instead'a in her usual place. 
She could feel envy in nearby autos, most still parked in silent ranks, 
still'a waiting. 



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