BOOM! Another crack of thunder bellowed around me. The summer skies had opened up and the rain had really started to come down. I could barely see the road enough to drive, and I still had about 50 miles to go before I reached my hotel. I pulled off the nearest exit into a small town right off the interstate. About the only thing I could find open was the town bar & grill.
I dashed inside. My shirt and slacks got wet just from that. I looked around. There were a few patrons scattered around. I sat down at the bar and ordered a drink, hoping this storm would pass quickly. The only other patron seated at the bar was a nice-looking woman some distance away. She had straight, light brown hair just past her shoulders, ample breasts. She had on an attractive white blouse with a sleek, dark skirt, an outfit that was professional but still oozed sexuality.
A guy who was seated at one of the tables with his buddies came up to the woman. This guy was blitzed to high hell, and very obnoxious. He fed the woman a terrible, drunken line, to which she countered with a very witty put-down. I chuckled, both at the lack of class this guy showed and in admiration of her response. She glanced in my direction. I tipped my drink to her. She responded with a smile that indicated we understood each other.
I kept sipping my drink while my eyes darted between the TV at the bar and the woman. I think I caught her taking subtle glimpses at me. Then, nothing - just darkness and silence. The power had gone out, almost certainly knocked out by the storm. In the silence you could here the storm raging outside. The emergency lighting kicked in, providing just enough light to walk around safely but nothing else.
