A Night At The No-Name Motel

It was the early 1980’s at a No-Name Motel somewhere between Modesto and Fresno in the days before roll-on bags.

Hartman garment bag on right shoulder and tan Atlas brief case in left hand.

Key in right hand waiting to open the door when suddenly a voice from behind says, “Drop your bags and give me your money!”

Turning I see a gun pointed in my direction.

I say, “I only have plastic, no cash.”

The gunman says, “You’re the 3rd guy tonight, doesn’t anyone carry cash anymore?”

ATM machines were just starting to be tried out in banks.

My how times have changed.

After that my rule was always to have a $100 bill stashed away so that I could comply and avoid pissing off an angry robber.