The Last Motel Read Online Free Page A

switched it on and then ran through the stations until he found something he liked.
    Then he laid back, arms tucked under his head and wondered how Eddy was doing next door. He could really do with a smoke.
    Stretched out on the bed, Al wondered if all the cabins were this gloomy. The bulb that gently swung from the ceiling gave off a dim glow. The scene was quite eerie, and the room looked to Al like a cross between the motel from Psycho , and the cabins from Friday the 13th .
    He smiled to himself. This is the sort of seedy place he loved to stay at. If only they didn’t have this problem to deal with. He couldn’t relax and completely enjoy the atmosphere.
    Great place to spend Halloween, though, he thought. If we get through this, we have to get everyone together and come up here next Halloween and have a party. And we’ll make sure to bring a shit load of booze. Fuck what that old bag said .
    He had his eyes closed and was thinking about the party, when a newsbreak came on.
    “...Police are searching for nineteen-year-old Jeffrey Olsen who disappeared earlier tonight from the Mt. Evelyn area. He was apparently going to the shops to buy some food for a Halloween party he was attending later that night. The shops were only a ten-minute walk, and he told his mother that he would be back shortly. Jeffrey never returned home.
    Police fear foul play was involved, but have no leads at this time.
    In other news, we have yet to receive further details of the shooting of an eighteen-year-old male in Lilydale. We’ll keep you posted on that story.
    The time is six-past eleven, and the temperature has dropped to a very cool eight degrees. I hope you are all enjoying Halloween tonight – I know we are, at Melbourne’s favourite station, 3-MLB...”
    A song came on that Al had never heard of, so he turned the volume down. He lay back and closed his eyes again.
    That Jeffrey kid’s probably out having a great time and getting laid. Like I should be. Maybe we should go looking for a prostitute and...
    The door opened and Eddy walked in. He was shivering, but had a goofy smile. He shut the door and raised a packet of cigarettes.
    “Looky what Eddy brought.”
    Al propped himself up on his elbows. “A whole packet?”
    “Yep,” Eddy said. “And I didn’t have to perform any sexual acts, either.”
    “Wow.”
    Eddy made his way towards his bed, opening the packet. “They’re only Benson & Hedges, but it’ll do.” He stuck a cigarette in his mouth, dangling it from his lips, then handed the packet to Al. “Got your lighter?” he asked, sitting on the bed. He rested his back against the headboard.
    “Certainly do.” Al pulled out his Bic. “How were the couple?”
    “Quite nice, actually. You’re right, though, the husband looks a bit rough. Wouldn’t like to get in a fight with him.”
    “You and me both,” Al said, lighting his cigarette. He stretched over and handed the lighter to Eddy.
    “Looks like a redneck, too,” Eddy said.
    “Wouldn’t surprise me.”
    They took long drags of their cigarettes.
    “Much better,” Eddy sighed, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke.
    “Really soothes the nerves,” Al said.
    “And Lord knows we need it.”
    Al took another drag and nodded. “The wife look beat up?”
    “Nah, just a faint smudge on her cheek. Nothing major. A real fucking dog, though. Typical fatty – sweatpants and flannel shirt.”
    “Real pillars of fashion, hey?”
    Eddy chuckled.
    “What are they doing here? Did ya have a chat with them?”
    “Not really. Just a quick how’d ya do. God knows why someone would want to willingly spend a night in a place like this, though. I mean we are because we have to be.”
    “Maybe it’s their honeymoon,” Al said.
    “Don’t think the bed will hold up if it is.”
    “I don’t know,” Al said. “I was thinking how this place would be great for a Halloween bash. Next year, I mean. Have all the gang come up here, it’ll be a wild time.”
    “You and