Another Reason to Cry

Welcome to the Jungle

1982

The young woman stepped off the bus, lugging her leather bag beside her. The man behind her stepped off, sighing in relief.

"We made it, Jenny," he said, grinning brightly as he inhaled the toxic LA air. She allowed the corners of her mouth to curve, satisfaction looming over her as she looked around.

"We sure did."

"Well, it looks like we part ways here," the man said, a touch of sadness gracing his tone. Jenny sighed, shaking her head.

"I'm sure we'll find each other again someday," she said, trying to lighten the mood. The man nodded slightly, admiring her face and trying to commit it to memory.

"Good luck on getting to where you're going," the man said, the deep timbre of his voice sticking inside Jenny's brain and automatically replaying on a loop.

"You too. It was nice to meet you."

The man gave her a nod, before walking down the street.

Jenny watched him until his back became a speck in a crowd of people.

She hoisted her bag into her arms and walked until she saw a cheap, ratty, run-down motel. With half-blinking lights.

Jenny pulled the rest of her cash from her back pocket and counted $50. She sighed. This would have to do.

Wary of the edgy, doped-up weirdos, Jenny entered the main lobby and went to the front desk. The lights flickered, and the smell of cheap perfume, cigarettes, musk, and mould permeated the air. Scrunching her nose did nothing to abate the foul stench.

"What'd ya need, sweetie? A room for two? Three?" A wrinkly woman with long strands of grey hair and a coarse voice asked, lighting a Marlboro stick between her lips.

"What can I get for fifty bucks?" Jenny asked, plopping the wad of cash onto the counter.

"Not much. Unless you're talking about the room. Then, it gets ya two nights," the woman said, followed by the inhalation of nicotine and exhalation of a blue-grey cloud.

"Two nights? Oh. Uh, well, I guess that's better than nothing," Jenny said sheepishly, attempting to disregard the elderly woman's pass at a rendezvous remark.

The woman smiled, her yellowed teeth peeking out of her mouth.

"Room 214. Here's your key. By the way, lock your door and put a chair under the knob. You'll thank me later," the woman said, taking another breath of nicotine and pushing a golden key in front of Jenny.

"Thanks."

"Don't mention it. And hey, if you're just moving here, I know a guy that can take ya in. He don't charge for the first month. The facilities are okay, but liveable. Better than here. It's just a thought. Now ta ta. I got dealers to deal to," the woman said all this, ending the conversation by pulling a bag of white powder out, and plopping it on the counter.

Jenny immediately turned to leave.

"Oh, hey! Welcome to the jungle!" The woman exclaimed, laughing hoarsely. Jenny went to her room quickly, locking the door and jamming a chair under the knob.

She hadn't been in LA long, but she knew it would be quite an interesting experience.