Home > 2012-13 Season, Royer's Madcap Experiences > Royer’s Madcap Experiences: Honest Joe’s

Royer’s Madcap Experiences: Honest Joe’s

By Ric Royer
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Right before dusk, I wandered over to Honest Joe’s. It was a two-story building on the edge of town, surrounded by weeds and trash. Beyond, was a cluster of acetylene tanks, a shed and then the railroad tracks. It was a sorry spot.

Honest Joe was behind the counter eating a sundae off a styrofoam sheet. Loud trumpet music could be heard through the tinny speakers. There were some guys at tables. I didn’t care for any of it.

I walked right over to Honest Joe and looked him straight in the eye. Then I pushed the sundae and the styrofoam sheet into his pants. The sheet fell away but the sundae hung there at his crotch for awhile. Then it fell to the floor. The noise was oddly loud and clunky.

He started to towel off. He got one area clean and then I snatched the towel away. “This is going out there between some of those tanks,” I said. “There’s nothing else. It’s all dust beyond.” Honest Joe knew the truth though he wouldn’t admit it until much later.

One of the guys stood up. “I’m putting those tanks on a freight tonight. Joe’ll get his towel back.”

I walked out.

It was a hot night.

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