He feared the asking, she the telling. No rider in memory had ever dared the boulevard on this the night of the low moon. At least no rider had ever returned to tell the tale. Would they be the first? Legend be damned, they were the best. Still, they rode — hard and fast. Neither were fools and neither were eager to temp fate.
Sentinel trees lined the road, waiting for moonrise. Soon — too soon. If the wind parted the clouds? If the stark white light of the low moon etched the shadows across the road before they reached the end of the forest?
Best not to discover what happened to the foolhardy who dared barcode boulevard on the night of the low moon. Less than a klick and safety. Quickly before it’s too late and…
Barcode Boulevard
I rode barcode boulevard today on my bicycle. Can you see the end in the distance? It’s safe in the daylight — mostly. I got the idea for a story one day a few years ago while driving along Breakneck Road (honest, it’s the real name). I’ve only ridden that road twice on my bike and only for a short distance each time. It’s too dangerous and the hills are killers.
The sun was bright and low. It cast sharp shadows across the road. The idea of Barcode Boulevard just jumped into my mind and it’s been stewing ever since. I had my camera with me today so I took some photos when I stopped for a drink on Heritage Road (no Breakneck Road for this boy). All the way home I thought about this story and wrote a quick and dirty draft of one possible beginning.
I’ve some ideas percolating about how photography and writing are related. When my brew is ready I’ll pour a few cups so we can sip together.
I had some fun today. Besides getting out of the house on a nice November day, I rekindled my Barcode Boulevard idea, took a couple photos with my little Canon digicam and wrote a rough draft for the beginnings of my story.
I’m happy with the photo. I think it turned out nicely in B&W. I used the Gimp BW photo simulation to transform the color shot to B&W. My story beginning? It’s rough and the first go at one way of beginning this story. I need to explore, especially the two unnamed characters. It’s another fun project.
Another project. I have a roll of B&W film hanging up to dry in the bathroom. I’ll scan the negs tonight or tomorrow. Fingers crossed. More shots of my youngest granddaughters, the twins. Hope I get a few decent photos out of the roll. I’ll feature them in one of my posts. I have another roll of film I’ll probably develop tomorrow and I got my slides back the other day. Lots of new photos to play with and share. Stay tuned. But stay off Barcode Boulevard on the night of the low moon.
Barcode Boulevard, the photo and story are copyright 2009 John McDevitt.
John,
That may be a rough draft of just the beginning, but it does what it’s supposed to do: capture the reader. I’m waiting to read more!
Thanks Dimple. I’m waiting to read more too. Guess I must put my mind to work and finish what I’ve begun.
this looks great in b&w
I’ve never driven on Barcode Boulevard, but I have had the misfortune of driving on Barcode Two-Lane Blacktop, narrow secondary highways, no shoulder and trees crowding the roadway. On sunny winter days the stroboscopic-like effect of rapidly moving through sunshine and shadow has a hypnotic effect that makes for some difficult driving.
Like the others I can’t wait to read more, John. That opening tidbit was so… Kingish? Koontzish? Either way, it caught me
The photo is great. The B&W allows all the shadows to catch the eye. This from someone with several “Barcode Blvd” style dark and lonesome roads in my past.
One of my top five favs – Stoney Lonesome. Yes, it’s a real road here in Pa.
The opening tidbit… Yes, now I wonder how long it will take me to get my butt moving and write more. I’ve never written a piece of fiction in my life. I’ve always wanted to and so far I’ve chickened out. Maybe putting this opening out here in public will spur me on. Yeah, I’ll write this one and the next and the next…
One thing is certain, I will NEVER be as wordy as King. Jeez, that guy is good, but he drives me nuts waiting for him to get to the point sometimes.
Funny thing about the photo. I shot that in color with my little Canon digicam. I still had my gloves on and was sitting astride my bicycle.
I cropped it and played with it in the Gimp and hit on exactly what I wanted in just a few minutes. It was a combination of luck and me telling my dragon “here you do this. Just tell me which buttons to press.”
Thanks for stopping by and don’t let me get away without finishing this story. I’m intrigued myself. I wonder who the man and woman are. Where they were, where they are going and why. And what possible events would running the barcode trigger?