Weola, Kansas by John Argo

= WEOLA, KANSAS =

Dark Fantasy

by John Argo

"It's a small town," Goldberg said. "There are only three or four restaurants, couple of bars, maybe a highway joint or two. Not a lot of seats for all these people."

"Sheesh, I'm leaving for Florida," Sid said. "I got a daughter there. This is for the birds."

"Here you go." The pretty young girl set down Sid's plate, bless her. She had brought a fresh coffee pot. "Ready for your refill, Mr. Goldberg?" She freshened his cup without waiting and flounced off. Busy kid. Big queaky comfy-looking shoes. Nice behind. Sid still looked, circumspectly at this late age.

"Her name is Nellie," Goldberg said stirring in cream and sugar. "She knows me like a father. I'm in here every day."

"Now what's this about the people?" Sid barked.

"Ah the people. Well, you'll think I'm crazy."

"Maybe we're both crazy," Sid said laughing; it seemed a hilarious thought, or was it this heat and all these tourists standing in line looking hungry?

"It's like this," Goldberg said. "There are people, and then again maybe there aren't."

"Huh?" Sid got a notion the other guy was crazy for real.

Goldberg waved his hand. "It was like this when I first got here too. You bring a New York City head to a Weola, Kansas world. Pop. 5,000 or whatever it is."

"Bah, you're nuts."

"Listen to me, Munzer. You know there are more than 5,000 people on the street corner outside. How did they get here?"

"Tourists." Two New York Jews in Weola, and one of them had to be nuts.

"Munzer, I'm telling you. You brought them with you."

"I'm gonna finish my coffee outside."

"It's a hundred degrees at least. Sit and have your coffee and listen to me."

"I'm listening. You think I just fell of the turnip truck."

"I have rabbinical respect for your razor sharp mind."

"Sarcastic, yet."

"I'll make you a bet."

"What's to bet?"

Thank you for reading. If you love it, tell your friends. Please post a favorable review at Amazon, Good Reads, and other online resources. If you want to thank the author, you may also buy a copy for the low price of a cup of coffee. It's called Read-a-Latte: similar (or lower) price as a latte at your favorite coffeeshop, but the book lasts forever while the beverage is quickly gone. Thank you (JTC).

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