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.”
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