Leaving Wendy

[Ron. Lavalette]

He decides he can’t write about fast food anymore; can’t sit in the plastic booth and watch the people who cook it, or who come in to eat it day after day as if cooking and eating fast food were just another part of everyday life. Even the air, even the sunlight streaming in through the huge windows, even the everyday chatter of the diners feels foreign to him now; even the smiles of the uniformed crew seem like zombie smiles, seem—at best—painted on.

Maybe it’s the change of seasons, the summer braking and decelerating into autumn, everything moving indoors for shelter, but finding that nothing ever changes; that greaseburgers and oilies remain the same regardless of season, regardless of changes of appetite or inclination. Maybe he’s just reached his fast food limit or, sensing impending hibernation, something inside him demands more substantial sustenance to prepare for him for what lies ahead.

He closes the journal, thinks about where to open it next. The door closes automatically behind him and colorful leaves do an inviting little dance at his feet.

[Bill Floyd]

Cool autumn evocation.  Fast food is poison, but I still hit it once or twice a week.  Switch to a cafe with some bitchin' pies. 

[Jamie Hogan]

Good on him, to walk out to those leaves. I cant do it. A certain amount of fast food is just part of my life, at this point. I think sometimes it's the fact that, as you say, nothing ever changes. If I walk in that joint, I know exactly what I'm getting. And it's crap, but it's crap I know. Regardless of any of that, this is another RL piece that absorbed a lot of thought in the creating, and provokes even more in the reading. Summer braking and decelerating is a terrific turn. Good stuff, sir.

[Angela]

I agree that it is interesting that the character can't write about it and then kind of does - not the food itself, but the culture of it.  Glad he has passed through the door and into the air.

[bolton carley]

i love that he's not writing another piece about it and yet, this is a piece about it.  and your ties between season's changing and fast food are impressive.  like the depth of thought and this man's voice.

[Gita]

Funny because I just asked Jamie Hogan to take pictures for me of the color change if he gets up in the NC mountains this fall. As for leaving fast food behind, I've done it but man, it is HARD. I respect this piece. Loved the "oilies" and the zombies.

This six is intelligent.

[Stephen Torelli]

I can see that colorful swirl of leaves. Nice account.

[Ron. Lavalette]

It's OK, Bill.  It's all the same, isn't it?

 

 

And thanks.