The Shady Rest Motel

The Shady Rest Motel By Elton Camp Wife and I were on a trip out of state We were growing tired and it was late Fairly soon, there wouldn’t be daylight It was time for us to stop for the night Motels where we were proved to be few So we had to decide what we would do The next place we saw over to the right But it was revolting. Such a sorry sight. Its huge neon sign long ago had gone out But a crude sign showed what it was about “Rooms for Rent” at the very top it said The letters were uneven and done in red The building’s painted walls were flaking Faded and torn flag from a pole was shaking We figured that we knew what we should do When we saw the note, “Thirty dollars for two.” In the car we had much rather have to sleep Than to spend the night in a place that cheap There was no choice except to press ahead And hope we would find a better place to bed After about ten more miles down the road We spotted a spot where we might unload It was well off the road in a scope of trees It looked a pleasant place that might please The little motel had a suitable name as well Sign declared it to be the “Shady Rest Motel” The shrubbery and grounds were well enough It had an ice machine, vending and such stuff To be extra careful, we took a look all around And no particular fault was there to be found We decided that the place was probably okay So we went into the office with intent to stay The office was lit up, but no clerk in sight I called out, “We need a room for tonight.” “Keep your shirt on and I’ll be right there. I was in the back taking a nap in my chair.” An older man stalked out, looking so sleazy He was shabbily dressed and his hair greasy A cigarette dangled precariously from his lips A scary-looking pistol in a holster at his hips Taken by surprise, we didn’t know what to say “Uh, just how much for your rooms do we pay?” We soon learned that he rented only by the hour And it would be extra if we wanted to shower We walked quickly toward the office door “Sorry, but we are not interested any more. Rather than stay in a motel this bizarre It would be much better to sleep in the car.”