was in a bar Ogallala Nebraska off Eighty near his motel

older fella saddledup beside him

by his dress appeared to be passing through too

Excuse me, may I ask what you're drinking?

Shot an a beer

Could I buy you a drink?

                           I got an hour houranahalf thereabouts to burn an bored easily. I’m less bored if I’m gabbing.

Shots Redbreast Doppelbock on tap

fella called over the bartender

                                 A round what he’s having, please.

Gotcha.  waltzed off with purpose 

I’m Harmon.

Joe

shook hands

Traveling through?

Town strikes me locals drink at home

Fair that. I’m passing through too. Home’s in Colorado.

Im heading to Illinois Parents home

bartender set the drinks down  Openin’ a tab?

No thank you. handed him two Twenties

Right back with the change.

he set it on the bar in front of Harmon

Butte, Montana.   Have you ever been?

I have Crossed from Sula Fortythree through Wisdom Wise River took Fifteen north to Butte Was flying out to San Diego

You haven’t stayed?

No  Overnight Dinner Motel

So, you’re unfamiliar.

I am

There was an old red brick building there near Copper King Mansion. It’s been razed.

When they razed it I made a trip from Missoula, was living there, a teenager, before I was drafted, made a trip to pickup bricks.

Bricks

Then I was a hodcarrier for a mason. After Nam I returned and became a mason.

Bricks  A pallet pallets                                          

No, no.  I was a teenager.

Yasaid

          The building the bricks held some significance

Significance. that amused him he laughed

                                               I . . I wouldn’t go that far.  A memory. Bunch of guys. Five.

Went over to Butte to lose our virginity at a whorehouse, the razed building, the whorehouse.

Thas refreshin  Callin it wha it was

It was a notorious.

Ill take you word for it

The whore we were with was older than my mother.

We

I told you five.

Took turns

We did. Cost three silver dollars.

Wastha  inexpens . .

. . Cheap.

            She was a cheap whore.

Were there girls at a higher price

I could only afford three dollars. Might imagine there were, but I couldn’t afford more.

Seems . .

. . I couldn’t afford mor . .

. . Or you were the one thawas cheap

I couldn’t say.

   The bricks you fetched Tangible memories   Not fungible

Fungible.  Fungible bricks.

                                  You could say that. Not that I’d ever forget.

Nor I Harmon

               Nor I

1412,  day-between-2-Ts,  21  2. 24

1221,  Thursday,  22  2. 24

https://southwestmt.com/ghosts/ghost-stories/dumas-brothel-hotel/