Jessica had been driving down the sandy Arizona road for hours. Her sunglasses made everything have a gold tint. A map had been thrown carelessly in the passengers seat, it’s many pages spread out across the seat. She was lost. She was planning on being in her hotel room about two hours ago. Jessica was an archaeologist, well at least a retired one. She was now teaching at a small college where none of her students were actually interested in archaeology. They were just there for the credits. When an old colleague of hers had invited her to a dig site she was ecstatic to get back out on the field. She gave a frustrated sigh and flicked the turn signal on as she pulled into the gas station.
As soon as she turned the car off she could tell the difference in temperature. She got out of her car and felt the full extent of the heat. Grabbing a hat she placed it on her head and walked around to the other side of the car. She was ready to get back in her car and have the air conditioner full blast. She frowned when she realized that the gas wasn’t pumping. She sighed and walked into the gas station. She was not greeted by any air conditioning but by a young blond woman who was leaning up against the counter in a very short tank top and even shorter shorts. The young blond glanced at Jessica as she entered. The only sound in the store was the hum of the coolers and the small electronic fan the woman was using to cool herself with.
“What do you want?” The woman said irritably.
Jessica scowled at her for a moment and looked around to see if anyone less hostile was around.
“Your fuel pump isn’t working. I’m trying to buy gas.”
The blond rolled her eyes and turned her head towards the open door behind cashier’s counter and bellowed. “Alvin, you’ve got a customer.”
A man in his late 30’s appeared at the door shortly after. He was rubbing some grease off his hands. “Well, hello there miss. What can I do ya’ for?” He asked cheerfully.
“I’m trying to purchase gas.” Jessica said shortly. The heat was getting to her.
“Ah, well.” He gave a quickly glance to the blond woman who had gone back to fanning
herself. “Those machines can be pretty tricky. Let me give you a hand.”
Jessica nodded and led the way to her white Buick that was now spotted with red sand.
“Nice car you have there.” Alvin said with a whistle.
She gave a small shrug. “It gets me where I need to go. That’s what matters.”
Alvin gave her a smile and turned to the gas pump. After pressing a few buttons and hitting it a few times, which she thought was a very bad idea, the pump started to work.
“Tadaa.” Alvin said in triumph.
“Thank you very much.”
“No problem miss. It’s my job after all. If it’s alright with you I’m going to stay out here and watch this to make sure it doesn’t stop again,” He pointed to the pump. “Wouldn’t want a pretty lady like standing out in the sun more than she has to.”
“That’s very kind of you.” She leaned up against her car awkwardly for a moment.
“Would you happen to know where I could find a restaurant around here?”
“Well if you keep going straight north you’ll come to a crossroads. You take a left there and it should take you into town. There’s a few good restaurants there.”
She nodded her appreciations and they stood there for a minute listening to the gas.
“I hope you don’t think I’m prying but I noticed you have Denver plates. What brings you up to Arizona?”
“I don’t mind. I’m going to a dig site. An old colleague of mine’s running the whole thing and invited me along.”
“A dig site? Like dinosaurs and stuff?” Alvin asked with interest.
“Well, it’s not all dinosaurs. We’ve got your fossilized plants and insects. They’re just as interesting as the dinosaurs themselves.” She replied in her professor’s voice.
Alvin gave her a skeptical look. “Plants can be just as interesting as T-rex?”
“If you ask me I think that the Tyrannosaurs Rex gets far too much credit. Most of the evidence actually points to the Tyrannosaurs Rex as being a scavenger more than a predator.” She said.
“Really?” Alvin crossed his arms.
“Yes. It still hasn’t been proven yet but that’s the way the outcome is looking.”
The gas clicked to a stop.
“Well there you go mama. All fueled up to go dinosaur hunting.” Alvin said with a grin. “Paying inside?”
Jessica nodded and followed as Alvin lead them back into the station. The blond still leaned on the counter fanning herself.
“That’ll be 28.50. Man, that cars a gas guzzler.” Alvin said as he took the card Jessica handed to him.
“Tell me about it.” She said with a smile.
“And off you go. Have a nice trip.” He said with one last grin.
“Thank you.” She said putting the card back into her purse. She walked back across the smoldering lot and into her car. She was relieved when she felt the air conditioner turn to life. She kept north, taking Alvin’s directions and hoping that before long she could get back on track and finally make it to her hotel.
The assignment was to write about a professor named Jessica who met a gas employee Alvin. She had to ask for directions or something. I don't remember it, it was a while ago.
Written March 4 2009
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