Vienna!

A fall from grace

Prompt by: Stories from the Jukebox

Prompt #24:Vienna by Billy Joel

billow926 (@billow926) | Unsplash Photo Community

The car was the lifeline. The path. The road. The statement of intent. The fact that he had stolen it was just an exclamation point on the projected outcome. Josh had driven for 3 days straight and was still in the middle of nowhere. But that was ok. His plan was still a go. A One. A rocket lift off. Once he arrived he would be at full trajectory. The outcome would be epic. Satisfaction guaranteed. No money back. A smile crossed Josh’s face.

The first thing to go was the idea that it wasn’t his car, that it was stolen. He was driving it therefore it was his car. No questions. No explanations. Simply his car. Just like Vienna was his woman. Always was and always will be. “Yes siree,” he said out loud as he reached over and picked up another snickers bar sending the wrapper to join the other detritus that littered his car not mindful of the acne, weight and mess he was adding by the minute to his body.

Vienna. Now there was a woman. A companion of all companions. A Hepburn to his Tracy. A Bacall to his Bogart. An Adrian to his Rocky.

“Bing.” The low gas light came on with a warning as he pulled into the mom and pop gas station at the side of the road.

“Running on empty. Running blind, Running into the sun but I’m running behind.” came through the radio as he shut the car off.

Josh got out of the car and stretched his legs. He took a quick look around.

“A know nothing place in the middle of nowhere,” he grinned lazily, reaching around behind his back and patting it slowly. “Time to get moving,” he said as he started towards the door. Quickly he took another look around. Spotting nothing he opened the door where he heard, “the police have a description of the brutal murder of a gas station attendant.” The old man behind the counter turned down the tv and looked over at Josh.

“How can I help you today?”

“I would like to fill up with gas. One hundred dollars,” as Josh plunked down the cash on the counter all the while watching the tv. The old man quickly picked it up and placed it in the till, turning to push the pump buttons.

“What is the world coming to?” the old man asked.

“Indeed,” replied Josh as he became more agitated by what he saw on the television. He reached behind him and pulled out his gun. “Vienna!” he shouted as he pulled the trigger. Quickly he reached over and scooped the money from the till and grabbed assorted snacks and drinks for his drive. Casually he walked out and filled his car with gas. With no cars spotted on the lonely road for the last twenty miles he wasn’t worried about time or company. He picked up some windshield washer fluid and placed it in the back seat before starting the car and sent it screaming back onto the highway.

Josh opened a package of chips as he checked his rearview mirror. Satisfied he picked up speed. It was time to put more distance between him and the gas station.

Josh had spent days learning about his final quest. Figuring out what he knew and what he needed to know. He was well aware of the risks. He was cognizant of the trail he was leaving. The only question on his mind was who was going to get there first? Him or the police? He pushed the pedal further down, increasing his speed to dangerous levels.

“Money, that’s what I want,” he sang along with the radio. “Not really,” he thought with a laugh. “I‘ve got lots.”

A Billy Joel song came on the radio. “Don’t go changing.” A tear started in his eye. “Vienna’s song,” he said as his voice cracked with anguish, more tears flooding down his cheeks. “Vienna,” he mumbled. “Soon. Soon.”

Eventually he slowed his speed. “Why make the cops’ job easier,” he thought as he passed cop cars going in the other direction.

After another day of driving a sign of recognition crossed his path. “Almost there,” he said to the wind.

Turning on the off ramp he slowed and checked his directions. Only minutes now.

“Vienna, I am here for you,” he crooned to the song on the radio. Left turn. Right turn until he slowed on Maple St. gazing at the house numbers.

“Pretty neighbourhood,” he observed. “Ah, there it is. 28. A white picket fence. How appropriate,” he said, turning into the driveway. As he started to get out of the car a man appeared, closing the door to the house behind him.

The man looked startled. “May I help you?” he inquired cautiously.

“I’m here for Vienna,” Josh replied rather icily as he closed the distance between them.

“Vienna? Who is Vienna?”

“Really?” said Josh as he pulled out his phone. “I was there. I got your picture,” he said as he opened his phone, ignoring the hundreds of messages to show the man the picture he had snapped days ago. “This is you,” he yelled as the man cringed at the photos of Vienna seconds before the car hit her, his face clear in the background and his license plate even clearer.

“I didn’t mean to…” he started as Josh pulled out his gun.

“She was my everything,” screamed Josh. “She was my life, my future, my happiness,” he sobbed. “And now she is gone,” as the last sob wracked his body he was tackled by a burly man and pinned to the ground.

“You are one sick puppy coming to my house and making a scene like this.”

“Can it Fred,” said the burly man. “If half of what he said is true you are a sick man.”

“Cory, I don’t know this guy,” Fred stated as he started to move at the sound of police sirens.

“Vienna!” yelled Josh. “Vienna, I did my best.” He lapsed into silence as a police car screamed to a stop.

As the newsman rushed up the driveway he said to his colleague. “I can see the headline now. Cold Blooded Killer Caught!”

“Vienna,” cried Josh. “Vienna,”

The end of the road. Path blocked. Thoughts changed. Ideas devoured by reality. Josh pushed past, succumbing to the darkness. He closed his eyes. “Vienna,” he mumbled one last time.

Song list

Vienna by Billy Joel

Just The Way You Are by Billy Joel

Money by Barret Strong

Running On Empty by Jackson Browne