Connellsville - Episode 2

"The Mayor"

How long had the needle been on “E”?

Too long for most but not for me - it’s the way it has always been, why should it be any different today?

Luckily, the sign signaled a station within a few miles. Passing it, I sighed a breathe of relief, assured by past experience that on fumes alone I would make it to the oasis safely.

After replenishing my empty tank at the the Gas & Go I made my way over to the local diner. There I sat, my order placed, waiting patiently for its arrival. In but only a few more moments I would inhale the cheeseburger, take care are of my personal "business" and then off to Baltimore. All was going as planned.

“How are ya?” I heard from a few chairs down but apparently directed at me.

“Uh, doing alright” I replied “How you doin?"

“I can’t complain”, The voice now had a face. A pleasant looking man, middle-aged, business casual, but with a bow-tie that gave him an air of prominence.

The waitress delivered my burger and refreshed my coffee. She then turned in the direction of my new friend.

“Fill your cup, Mayor?”

“Sure Betty, take it to the top”.

My first thought had been to get back to my sandwich, but considering this was "The Mayor", I felt an uncontrollable urge to carry-on, for no other reason then that it might lead to something interesting.

“Oh, you’re the mayor, what an honor”.

“That’s right, been Mayor of Connellsville since probably before you were born.”

“Connellsville, how ironic. I have a brother named Connell."

I chuckled in an easy, unnoticeable kind of way.

“Is that right?” he replied. “Good Irishman then I bet.”

“Oh ya, he’s a good Irishman alright”.

The chuckle became a little more heavy and obvious.

“Wouldn't happen to have any town t-shirts would you?"

I imagined Connell brandishing a nice polyester blend with “CONNELLSVILLE” emblazoned across his chest. My chuckle turned to open laughter.

“Nope, can’t say that there has been much of a demand for those”. The Mayor turned away. My question had apparently struck a nerve.

“Oh well, it would have made a nice gift.” It was only a thought though. On this day I figured it best to let "The Mayor" have the last word.

With this I returned to my meal, and, as according to plan, it vanished in a few bites. After cleaning the juicy remains with the last of the french-fries, I pulled out my wallet. In it I came across an old business card. As I looked it over a felt a sensation. It was at once around me, in me, and through me. It passed as suddenly as it arrived. Then, upon recovering my senses, I decided to have a little fun and do some shameless promoting.