Down they descended to a somewhat seedy-looking hotel. Charlie glanced across the rather deserted parking lot at what appeared to be a courtesy van. It looked ever so much like plants were sprouting from it. Perhaps they were only growing around it. In any event, it probably hadn’t been driven in a goodly number of years.
It took a while to track down a clerk to check in. “Hi. We have two rooms booked for the night.”
“I’m sorry. I can only find one in your name.”
Much time passed while the computer was searched, identification was provided and more help was called in. A second room was eventually found.
“We’d like to split the payment between two of us for each room.”
More time passed while the computer was searched, credit cards were produced and more help was called in. The dust finally settled.
“Do you have a courtesy shuttle that could take us to the ball park?” Donnie queried hopefully.
“We do not. But if you take a Lyft, we can probably reimburse you.”
Off to their rooms they went. Ronnie and Young Dirk lucked out. Charlie and Donnie did not. Their room had no air conditioning, and it was hotter than Hades. Back down to the Front Desk for a change. When they finally settled in, the cold beer went down awfully well.
Donnie decided to order a cab. In nothing flat, a nice young chap showed up in an unmarked car. The skies were starting to look threatening. As they walked into the park, the rain began to fall.
Undeterred they headed off for hot dogs and beer to wait out the rain delay.
The rain came down relentlessly.
They strolled to another location and had pretzels with more beer.
No letup in the deluge.
They wandered along until they found ho hum cheese steak and beer.
Eventually, the game was officially rained out, but their tickets were good for another game for the next 12 months.
“Not to worry,” said Donnie. “We’ll pop down next spring for a mini Balls trip.”
Donnie called for a taxi. The same young man appeared in the same unmarked car. Back to their room for some more beer and a great night’s sleep.
As they piled into their car the next morning, Charlie couldn’t help but look up the hill at a lovely Holiday Inn Express with what looked like a functional courtesy shuttle.
“Perhaps next year . . .”
“Don’t worry.” Donnie assured them. “I’ll take care of it.”
Breakfast at Julie’s was diner delicious. Charlie and Donnie had the Southern Scrambler with sausage and biscuit and gravy and eggs. It didn’t look pretty, but it tasted positively divine. Ronnie and Young Dirk had something else.
