Home > 2012-13 Season, Royer's Madcap Experiences > Royer’s Madcap Experiences: The Refreshment Stand

Royer’s Madcap Experiences: The Refreshment Stand

By Ric Royer
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It was a squat, four-cornered refreshment stand in a dirt parking lot. There were faded wood signs on all edges that said “Refreshments” and there was a painted advertisement for some defunct type of soda. There were (small), splintery stools all around and nobody ever came there but me. It was a wonder.

I knew the owner– he was a big squirrely guy called “Turt” and he mixed up little cans of beans and dropped them over potato chips and served them in paper cartons. I ate lunch with Turt about three or four times a week.

“You ever thought about going and fucking yourself?” he would ask. I had to eat my carton of beans and chips fast then because before long Turt would be pushing them off the counter and into the dirt. If that happened, you wouldn’t get another, at least not that day. And you might get your face caved in.

That was the only time Turt came out from behind the stand was to beat a person near to death. He kept in shape by constantly drinking from a transparent Thermos of beef broth. Plus, the beatings.

The other day, I came by and Turt wouldn’t serve me. Wouldn’t give me any kind of reason why, he just lowered his head a bit (while still staring through me), saying, Just Leave, Just Leave! in a strange, high-pitched voice. He never came out from behind the counter though.

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