Chapter 1: Introduction
"Woah, would you look at that?" James pointed to a winking blue neon sign of a vintage motel. "Looks like our pit stop for the night."
Martin chuckled. "Can't believe you're still excited about these things.
We've been in dives like this before." Martin shook his head with a smile as he turned the steering wheel, guiding the car towards the motel courtyard.
A lone clerk watched them from behind a glass pane, languidly leafing through a magazine. The fluorescent lamp overhead cast a tired glow over the sparse lobby area and between the cracks of worn-out blinds, the lights of passing cars fanned across the dull and faded wallpaper inside.
James shrugged, pushing open the door and giving Martin a playful nudge.
"That's what road trips are all about: embracing spontaneity and discovering hidden gems. Who knows, maybe this'll be our best stop yet."
With an air of practiced indifference, Martin sauntered up to the front counter, exchanging greetings with the clerk and arranging a room for the night.