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On the Pennsylvania Turnpike, a traveler has stopped at a gas station. He has money that is out of date, namely he’s trying to use a “worthless” old gold piece, and everyone knows the nation has switched to the new Silver standard. Holy cow! Somehow I don’t think a gold coin goes out of date, gold is gold after all. Silly store clerk, someone should tell him about these things.
Historical note: For years the gold standard had the price of gold locked at $20 per ounce, and that was the weight of gold coins. Shortly after going to the silver standard, the price of gold floated up to around $30 to $50 or so. Once the silver standard was done away with,m and the dollar wasn’t backed by anything, gold prices flew through the roof, and now hovers around a thousand dollars per ounce. Depending on when you read this, probably a lot more than that. So… if any strange travellers out there want o offload a gold coin or two on me, I won’t argue.
Back to the story.
A fellow traveler stops by and catches the old man’s attention. Things about the old man are noticed, his clothes are a little old fashioned. He even uses a brand of tobacco that hasn’t been made for a hundred years. He claims to know the place where the younger man is looking for, and agrees to take him there. There’s definitely something weird starting to develop, what can it be?
As the old timer leads the man, Mr Miner, down a trail, he reveals the secret behind Pine Knob, and the purpose that awaits. I don’t want to give away too much, but it involves a wierd loop of time, and travelling to the past. What’s it all about? Revenge, setting old errors straight, trying to change the past? You’ll just have to find out for yourself.
PS: For a bonus track, and extra comments, have a look at Dark Fantasy – Pennsylvania Turnpike. 420320 (retro278)
