Greyhound Scenicruiser
The decision to return to California having been made. Prior to his departure, Gary arrested his Wurlitzer electric piano to serve a sentence within the confines of a pawn brokerage establishment, finding it necessary to capitalize on a financial disbursement for its confinement. Acquainting Glenn that he would forward the piano’s bail after accessing his destination, a decision as to its disposition to be made at that time. The sudden advent of departure was of no consternation, the concerns addressing the band finding an impetuous attitude and a loss of focus was evident, Gary reasoned, disappointment was inherit.
The Greyhound Scenicruiser adhering to its post at the Bus Station at 2nd and C Ave. in Lawton waiting for the traveling cortege to board, its ambition Oakland California. Gary seated in the confines of the darken bus as it accepted the highway, not the conveyance of choice or expediency but opportunity, the passenger indecisive in thought, endeavoring for perspective but objectivity still at a lost. Awakening from his slumber as the Greyhound entered the small town of Pecos Texas halting its progression giving pause for the passengers to stretch their legs. Gary deciding to journey around the town square of this once anomalous railroad town, imbuing the predawn cleansing air, clearing the blemished atmosphere of the coach from his lungs. Once again addressing the diminutive station, discovering he had subsequently let too much time wander, his scheduled Scenicruiser having departed. The stationmaster was quick to satisfy the situation, unbelievably relating, another bus to Oakland would arrive within the hour.
Greyhound station Pecos Texas
Regrouping from the perplexity of his miscalculation the abject musician boarded his supplemental transport continuing the venture to Oakland. Seated at the rear of the conveyance dozing thru the predawn hours waking to view the mesquite and sage brush span of southwest Texas. Striking up a conversation with a fellow traveler, the new acquaintance mentioning it would be a time consuming journey to Oakland, this Greyhound wasn’t an Express, it’s was traveling to Oakland via, El Paso, Phoenix, San Diego, Los Angles, then north to the Bay-area. Gary doing a quick calculation, with stops included, in all probability it would be another 30 hours before reaching Oakland. It was during the stop in El Paso the fellow traveler, an elderly merchant mariner traveling to board a ship in Oakland, made a hoisting suggestion that Gary concurred with. Listening to the mariner discourse his occupational adventures of the high-seas, the musician exchanging anecdotes of his experiences, the two entertaining a bottle of orange flavored russian fortitude, better known as vodka to lessen the affliction of their travel.
It was early evening when the Greyhound coach dropped anchor in Oakland, depositing the weary recent advents. Gary placing a phone call and with arrival of the 54 Plymouth, Father and son relinquished the downtown bus terminal, the two stopping before accessing the Greenly Drive residence, Gary and his dad according a cocktail lounge not as father and son but commencing a conversion with glass in hand as two friends united, an acknowledgement never before experienced.
Gary’s mom and dad
Gary was home less than a week when a phone call painted a new picture. The call was from Troy Elledge presenting the argument that he was needed and should return to Oklahoma. Don “Red Eye” Kinder, farmer, benefactor, promoter of Troy and his old band the Rythm Tamers offering to finance his return, wiring him the money and would also obtain the pawn ticket from Glenn to retrieve the Wurlitzer Electric from its captive location. Gary curious to the reason for this sudden interest, Troy disclosing that Kinder was going to finance a recording session with him on the west coast and was going to include the band. The musician questioning the vicariousness of the conversation and once again a paradox riveting his essence of resolve having just returned home. His past departures from the family having embolden a sense of solitaire, feeling somewhat estrange from his kindred contingency and this trying dilemma conveying his decry of autonomy. Gary searching for a logical reason to reject the Oklahoma offer, aware that there was but one identity capable of issuing a discordant to his returning to Oklahoma, he waited for it to surface but to his wonder his parents remained silent.
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