A New Car Rental Place
Cecelia was a new person in town to see
about the rooms for rent with availability.
This woman came to start a car rental company.
It would serve the people within this community.
Cecelia knew Prester was the name of this place.
It showed as a village inundated with God’s grace.
Mr. Phillips was the real estate agent who found
places for the new citizens on this hallowed ground.
Mr. Phillips said, “Yes, we are a town of churches.
There are many of them on the streets lined with birches.
There is Assembly of God, and the Bethel Baptist,
The Society of Friends, First Christian Scientist,
Our Lady of Victory, Grace Evangelical,
Holy Messiah, All Souls, St. Paul’s Episcopal.
You will see many more, while I guide you through this tour.
I have some rental properties you are looking for.”
Cecelia noticed the folks were quite religious.
She wondered if here was good for her type of business.
Her next words appeared as an inappropriate quip:
“Do you have any buildings not used for God’s worship?
Mr. Phillips replied, “Each is a House of the Lord.
Our people live and worship in them with His accord.
We all recognize each other; no one is ignored.
What weekly rent amount are you able to afford?
She said, “A hundred and ten is the most I can pay
for any room you may have available today.”
Cecelia rode with Mr. Phillips in his car
to see a furnished apartment that was not too far.
“I have a very nice studio for you to see.
It is upstairs in St. Barnabas Church’s belfry.”
Mr. Phillips then described the people with his voice:
“Everyone here is living in the church of their choice.
These chapels also serve other types of vocation.
First Methodist houses the Board of Education.
Antioch Pentecostal has Prester’s barbershop.
So here we are. St. Barnabas; this is our first stop.”
To see the place, both of them had to climb many stairs.
The apartment had a couch, bed, table, and two chairs.
There were four large brass bells in the center of the room.
She asked, “Do they ring these bells? Am I safe to presume?”
He replied, “Yes, they do ring them. I would have to say
that this church rings these bells at least three times every day.”
“God Almighty!” she then said involuntarily.
“Who would live in a church belfry? That’s why they’re empty!
I’ll tell you truthfully; this place seems a bit creepy!”
Mr. Phillips the realtor then said to her plainly:
“That’s not for you to say. That’s a possibility.
You’re new in this town. I suggest you walk cautiously.
There’s a basement flat at Central Presbyterian.
However, you’ll have to share with two other women.
The followed pattern here is living in harmony.
Living outside fellowship is contradictory.
She replied, “I don’t want to share. I live on my own.
I have my life. I don’t care about what you condone.
Mr. Phillips responded, “Why? What purpose is there?
Everyone has their domiciles willing to share.
Cecelia answered, “What does the word ‘purpose’ mean?
Do you have places for an individual’s scene?
With a bit of reluctance, he said he had a few.
Then Mr. Phillips expressed the town’s common value:
“Prester differs from other communities a lot.
The Network News described us in a four-minute spot.
We live for and love God in everything that we do.
Also, please tell me, what denomination are you?”
Cecelia maintained reticence on this one thing.
She would not show her denomination as nothing.
Mr. Phillips repeated his question. She would say:
“I can dream about whatever I want any day.
If I want to go to Paris, or other city;
dreams are my own. They’re my individuality.”
The realtor asked her, expressing curiosity:
“What do you dream about mostly?” He listened closely.
Unafraid of him, she said “Sexual things, mostly!”
He would look away when hearing those words she would say.
Responding, “Prester is not that kind of town today.”
The church doors would then open on both sides of the street.
A young man heard Cecelia’s words sounding effete.
He said in response to those words no one would condone:
“There is no need for a car rental. We drive our own.”
Cecelia heard from the realtor after the jeers.
He said, “No one would rent a car in a hundred years”.
She replied, “There’s no reason to stay. I’ll go away.
I do not like it here. Your antics I will not play!”
Mr. Phillips said, “Even though all of this is true,
we want you to stay. There’s a rental office for you.
This place is located at Mount Moriah Baptist
on the lobby floor. You will stay and will not resist!
Your daily presence at this agency will give us
an outward show of completeness that looks congruous.
The town’s terribly discontented. Something is wrong.
We need you renting cars here. You really do belong.
We have attained perfection, unlike the other towns.
Perfection holds in check the discontent that abounds.
You must stay behind the counter.” That’s all he would say.
The woman responded to the man’s words in this way:
“You’ll be sorry when I dream about those things you fear.”
He grabbed her arm and yelled, “You are ours! You will stay here!”
This auto renter said she would not go quietly.
Cecelia answered defiantly: “Wait and see!”
Based on the short story "A City of Churches" by the late Donald Barthelme
Copyright © Robert Pettit | Year Posted 2025
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