She asked him to watch her purse
Went to the bathroom
And did not return right away
He sent a lady to check on her
He said her name was Evelyn
The lady returned and said
Evelyn was sobbing
George left a tip and walked out
Into the high desert sun
He carried a Belk sack
They had been shopping
He repeated the words
Screw her under his breath
As he walked to the valet station
He had seen through her
She was going to break up with him
That was why she wanted to have lunch
But she had lost her nerve
His car was brought around
He smelled rubber
The young man had loved the Lotus
He did not tip him
But he did not scold him either
No more confrontations right now
George made the tires sing himself
As he left the parking lot
He weaved through traffic
And out to the freeway
He was halfway to Vegas
Driving at over 100 mph
Before he called her apartment
He wanted to leave a message
Rita her roommate
Was the voice on the machine
This message is for Evelyn
I know why you went to the bathroom
I am ready for whatever you say
I am a big boy, you know
Don’t treat me with gloves
Break it to me straight
I’m heading to Vegas
I’ll call at exactly 4 tomorrow
If you want to talk
Be at home then
And I’ll hear you out
He laid down the phone
And floored it again
His speed rose to 180
Damn women anyway
Why were they necessary?
He drove at top speed
The remaining 65 miles
His vigilance at staying on the road
Kept him from thinking of her
He had selected Leonard Cohen
From his playlist
And turned it up loud
But Cohen’s attempt at depth
Began to wear thin
So he had turned it off
And listened to the
Throaty engine
In the Four Seasons
He took a long shower
And saw himself in the mirror
As he came out of the steam
Big bags under his eyes
Blue pockets of unrest
The TV was on 54
When he turned it on
Before he could change it
Some evangelist shouted
God wants you to be happy!
You never knew
What might be on the TV
Down he went
In the channels
Nothing caught his eye
The Dodgers and Giants
Sunday night game
John Miller speculating
How many current Yankees
Would make the Hall of Fame
Joe Morgan concluded none would
Forget baseball
What about E channel?
Nothing but Sex on Sunset Strip
Not too exciting
Since the strip was just down below him
He picked up the phone
And asked for shows and times
In his hotel
Then he made up his mind
At four p.m. tomorrow
He would be
On a plane
Or a boat
But he would not be
On the phone
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