While Albert was still in shock, the convoy he found himself a part of ran yet another red light. Albert suddenly realized he was part of something very out of the ordinary. He looked around to see the other cars. He imagined he might have been caught up in some procession or police activity; but no--the cars surrounding him were just like any other cars. There was a little red Chevy Geo and big Ford Escalade. There was a guy on a motorcycle and a soccer mom in a baby blue mini-van.
The cars leading this group suddenly laid on their horns, attracting Albert’s attention. Cars on the cross-street heading into the intersection screeched to a halt to allow the oncoming traffic to blow through the red light. Albert caught the bewildered, angry, and smiling faces of the drivers yielding to this brazen lot of cars. The lead cars continued blowing their horns as they approached intersections to force the oncoming traffic to stop.
After two miles, Albert began considering the horrible repercussions this spot of fun could have. This had to be a very serious offence. This was anarchy! Unfortunately, Albert wasn’t able to get over to either of the outside lanes, being boxed in by the other cars. He tried his turning signal to no avail, receiving only cold looks from the other drivers. At least once he began inching toward a car to his left or right, a threat of collision unless they allowed him through. Unfortunately for Albert, both cars called his bluff, not giving him any room to get out. Eventually, Albert capitulated to their stonewalling. He figured the police couldn’t blame him if he was being held captive. He would just enjoy the ride while it lasted and escape at the first opportunity. He would go straight to the police and tell them everything. He’d be okay if he did that.
They were almost out of the city when a few of the lead cars laid on their horns again and drove into a gas station. Several other cars peeled away from the group to join the cars in the gas station. Albert watched the drivers emerging from their vehicles as he passed by.
As darkness fell, a grand total of five groups had stopped at gas stations to refuel. Albert never stopped to get gas. He had a full tank when he went into work that morning, and he figured running out of gas was a good way to get out of this whole mess anyway. They were well out of the city now, though, and he began to regret his decision. He didn’t want to be stranded in the middle of nowhere. As it was, he had been able to break away from the group for a while now, but he felt the security of the five or six cars around him and didn’t want to leave it at night.
The lead cars took an exit leading to a camp grounds. Several cars formed a kind of road block on the highway to direct the various groups of cars toward that exit.
The camp grounds was virtually empty as the dozen or so vehicles pulled onto the gravel road leading into it. The lead cars pulled over in a rather large clearing. It was night now, so a few of the cars left their headlights on while everyone else shut off their engines and started introducing themselves.
‘Hi, my name’s David,’ said David, as he extended a hand to Albert.
‘I’m Albert.’
‘Exciting, isn’t it?’
‘Oh, yeah.’
‘I tell you, Al, I was ready for this. I was completely prepared. All that bullshit in the city, well . . . well, it’s just bullshit, isn’t it?’
Albert nodded. David crossed his arms and looked out on all the cars, sighing a deep satisfied sigh.
‘This is just perfect. Hits the spot.’
continued in part 3
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