The Holden Efigy doesn't stop for roadblocks.
I saw the flashing lights of the police roadblock from about a mile-and-a half out, and quickly considered my options. There were no exits, and the desert on either side of the highway was too rocky for my low-slung Holden. I could throw the car into a slide, spin around and head back the other direction, but a trio of cruisers had already closed in, blocking the road behind me.
And besides, why would I want to turn back? Life’s about moving forward, about conquering the challenges of the future, not settling into the comforts of the past.
No, the only logical thing to do in this situation was to stop and let them take me into custody. Do my jail time and move on to the next job. Winning is good, but you can’t win them all, and it’s important to know when to cut your losses. To make rational choices.
Problem was, I just didn’t feel like it.
Fuck their roadblock.
I pressed the pedal to the floor, and smiled as the 644 horses under the hood broke into a growling gallop, momentarily lifting the front end of the Holden into the air and pressing my back and head into the seat. The speedometer climbed impossibly high, and the car surged ahead, speeding toward the roadblock until the wind outside wailed like a phalanx of banshees marching into hell.
They’d probably stop me, all right.
But they were going to have to work hard for it.
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This is my second entry for the second day of 30 Days of Writing, a competitive blogging meme sponsored by my good friends Nicky and Mike at We Work For Cheese. Please visit them for a list of all the participants, and then visit those folks, too.
That car. OMG, I fucking love that car. And “…wailed like a phalanx of banshees marching into hell.” And the rebelliousness of the driver. And “…as the 644 horses under the hood broke into a growling gallop”
This is fucking awesome, Michael. Dammit. I might actually have to award you a whole whack of points for this one, despite the fact that I desperately wish I had written it.
Alright, 500 points for you. And another 500 for the car.
I knew you’d like that car, Nicky. It’s pretty awesome. A throwback to the 50s, but so much sleeker and more powerful. You should Google it and take a look at the interior. It’ll make you want to leave Jepeto.
Oh, maybe you already want to leave Jepeto.
Well, you can leave faster in the Holden.
I’m with Nikky. Brilliant. And “wailed like a phalanx of banshees marching into hell.” How I wish I was the one who’d come up with that.
Steal it. I’ll never know.
If i read this post to my husband, he’d ger a big huge boner. Id have to add rawr rawr engine noises too….i have to do this writing prompt too so maybe ill write about my mini van…
Terrific writing!
Well, read it to him, then.
I like to think of myself as a marriage counselor.
Oh, dammit man. I call shotgun!!!
You’re on!
Wow, that’s quite a car you’re holden. (See what I did there?) Who knew Philip Marlowe could drive. Excellent roadblock story. Hard-boiled. Loved it.
I don’t know how you do it, NoName, but you’re the master at it.
Man, this is hotter than that picture of Charlize Theron.
I can really hear the engine, too. And it’s not some wimpy purr either. Also, it made me think of Red Barchetta.
I’m kind of thinking Charlize would look right nice in this car.
Funny you mention the sound. I immediately thought of that characteristic rumble that muscle cars built in the 60s and 70s had when I saw this car. I love that sound.
Now I want to read more of this story. Fantastic job with the prompt.
I know. It kind of begs to be turned into a story. Did he live, or did he die?
No other way to put it. This is fucking awesome! Wonderful! You are so talented, Michael!
Thanks, Linda. But watch your language. Not because it’s wrong, but because it’s very colorful. Pretty.
Your wife called. She wants her car back.
She can have it back when she prys my cold, dead fingers off the steering wheel.
I honestly was thinking of going something along these lines, but I didn’t know how to pull it off…and I’m glad I didn’t. I never could have competed with this.
It’s that car, Bryan. I mean, the thing is just awesome.
Excellent work on this one. Giddy up. Take those horses to a new level!
Thank you, P.J.
Dayum!
“… wailed like a phalanx of banshees marching into hell.”
I’ve died and gone to ‘how to write descriptively” heaven!
Too bad there’s a huge road block in my way: my writing brain.
HA!
Nicely done Mr. Mike
You never seem to suffer from a writing roadblock, Quirky.
Woo-hoo! Loved this. Succinct and packing a whallup!
Thank you, Jayne. It’s a grind reading all these posts and commenting, isn’t it?
Um… wow. That car is TOTES AMAZEBALLS