The Thrill of the Hunt

I don't know what it was, but something launched me out of my bed at the crack ass of dawn this morning.

The night was plagued with vivid and utterly surreal dreams that seem to be happening with some frequency. I don't know if its the change of location, the change of diet, or something in the air down here... But it my mind is on rapid fire. Its absorbing everything it sees, processing in, and shooting it out in new and exciting ways.

Today, after a well rounded breakfast of Honeycombs and name brand root-beer, Brian and I headed out the front door armed with our charm and good looks on a mission. We knew in our heart of hearts that if we want to survive in this new community we'd have to become thriving members of the local economy. What better what could we do that, but then to get a job in retail?
So we jumped in his car, which was luckily not towed today, and headed into the thriving metropolis of Chesapeake, Virgina.

After getting turned down by the local Walgreen's (We're overqualified anyway) we stumbled upon an amazing discovery. Like a shining beacon over the horizon we saw the glowing beauty of a movie theater. Logic dictates that where there is a movie theater there must be a mall. Lo and behold, there a mall did sit. It seemed ripe for the plucking. A mall is usually a plethora of commerce and always in need of college dropouts like myself who will whore themselves out, usually in some sort of khaki panted uniform, for a little more then minimum wage. Yet I was sorely let down.

The mall was more of a labyrinth forgotten by time and hidden far off the main road. It stank of old days, haunted by the ghost of a once thriving hang out. I could feel the howls of Orange Julius poltergeist's hanging in the air. Trying to remain upbeat we began our search. With bright smiles we went from store to store (four of which were Footlockers I kid you not) collecting application after application from people that we were clearly smarter then. Beggars of course can not be choosers. We made our way through, passed by forgotten fountains and a sad excuse for a cookie stand, and came to the end... Where a hotel lay?

I kid you not. It looked like Donald Trump had hidden away a failure long forgot and we found it. Black and shinny, made of marble, and with the scent of fresh, fluffy towels... Of course we got our applications and moved on our search.

From Chuck E. Cheese to Benigan's to the hallowed halls of Food Lion (Google it folks!) the overwhelming feeling of defeat loomed in the air. Our hands were full out applications, but our hearts were filled with dread. So we went exploring and headed towards Virgina Beach. It seemed like a good idea.

After driving around, watching the 7-11's and Arby's fly by with such frequency I felt I was in a Hannah Barbara cartoon, it loomed in the distance. The sandy shores of the beach came into focus and there it was... The depressed, quiet, off season streets of Virgina Beach... I don't know what we hoped to find. Scantily clad women? Drunken college kids? Fun at every turn? It is February and the truth just hit home... Our new home...

Virgina is a once a week a year kind of state.

We walked to the sandy shores, dipped our finger tips in the salty waters, and stared off into the distance. Out there, beyond the ability of human site lay so much. The open water beckoned and for an instant I thought I heard the siren's calling me to my doom. We turned away, Brian and I, pulled our sweatshirts in tight, and headed back to the car.

We didn't say it, but it didn't need to be said. Together we were gonna do this.

...I hope.

Brian