After a long day consisting of three performances, the van was nearly ready to go. Patty Nelson, the director and chaperone for the Community College theatre group threw a final bag into the back and closed the door as her drama students approached. Violet Reed led the way. With her raven locks pulled into a tight ponytail, the unquestioned leader of the group slid into the back. Her girlfriend, the scarlet haired Tiffany sild beside her. Unlike Violet, who tended to mostly dress in male attire, Tiffany was the was always in full makeup while wearing a skirt or dress. Despite this, her flawless skin and perfect tan had the red head go bare legged more often than not.
Mike was next and slid into the middle seat. Normally a stud running back for the football team, an injury sidelined Mike for the season. To fill his time, he turned his focus to drama and landed a role in the traveling performance. He achieved this with aid from Laura, a blonde southern belle who was served as a perfect character actor alongside the leads. Both from Georgia, the pair had instant chemistry and recently became an official couple. last but not least was lee, an exchange student from Korea who's comedic timing was second to none. While he was friendly with the others and they with him, their couplings left him as an odd man out as it were. He took shotgun next to Patty.
Despite being in her mid late 40's, a good diet and yoga classes kept the slightly plus sized woman still managed to turn a few heads. One such head was that of Lee. Perhaps it was the couples around him, or maybe it was something more, but in any event, Lee took every chance he could to glance over his attractive drama professor. While she climbed into the driver's seat, Lee caught a glimpse of the control top portion of Patty's black pantyhose. Noticing the gaze, Patty, unsure what to do, just smiled and brushed a finger through her short, light brown hair before starting the van.
"Not yet," Tiffany whispered to her girlfriend as she played with the hem of her patterned red skirt. "When it's fully dark."
Hearing this, Mike just smiled rand a finger through Laura's hair as she slept on his lap and addressed Patty. "How long before we get there professor?"
"I'm not sure," was the reply as Professor Nelson tapped on her dash mounted cell phone. "The GPS is being stupid. Could you all try your phones?"
Everyone but the sleeping Laura nods and ends up with the same glitchy result. Suddenly, the static on Patty's phone clears and displays a map. "That doesn't look quite right," Patty says while glancing between the phone and road.
"I have the same thing," Violet says while holding up her phone.
"Same here," Lee chimes in.
The Professor sighs and follows the GPS off the next exit. After an hour of driving on a poorly maintained blacktop and thick trees, the van crests a hill that reveals town lights in a valley below. The group stares in confusion as they pass a sign displaying the town's name. "Bliss Valley?" Patty blurts out as they move through a quiet main street. "That's not right. We're supposed to be in Deer Falls." As The Professor pulls into the closed service station to turn around, the van dies. "What the hell?"
"What's wrong? A waking Laura asks while rubbing her eyes.
"I don't know, it's just dead." Now rolled to a stop, Patty puts the van in park and tries to start it, "Nothing, we're dead in the water."
"It gets better," Violet sarcastically adds, "I have absolutely. I can't even roam." Like with the GPS, the others check their phones and get the same result.
"Relax," Patty says while exiting the van, "I'm sure there is a landline in this town. Glancing up and down the sleepy street, Patty catches sight of a motel sign on the north end of town. "We can crash there," she says while pointing. I'll leave a note on the windshield and we'll get this all figured out in the morning. Reluctantly, the group agrees and after getting their bags, follow Patty to the motel. Along the way.
While looking at the closed businesses, Mike gets a confused look on his face and taps Laura on the shoulder. "hey babe, is that normal?"
Laura follows her boyfriend's finger as he points out signs and in some cases displays advertising pantyhose in every shop window. "That is definitely not normal," she answers.
"What's not normal? Tiffany asks as she and Violet bring up the rear of the group. Mike points out the windows. At this point, Patty and Lee stop and come back to the others who stopped.
Violet walks to a window and points to a mannequin wearing black control top pantyhose similar to Patty's. "Maybe it's a local product, like how some towns produce syrup and shit."
"That's correct," a new female voice chimes in. The group turns to see a woman who appears to be in her late 20's. She has shoulder length curled hair and deep hazel eyes. "Hello, my name is Gwen. I work at the motel and saw you walking my way."
"I'm Patty," The Professor says while walking to over. Our van broke down and we'd like some room and a phone if you have them.
Gwen smiles, "I have rooms and each one has a phone, but, they only work a few hours in the day due to our odd location. We have tried everything, but, this is all that works."
"Umm," ok," a confused Patty continues, "We'll take the rooms and appreciate using your phones when available. As the group moves towards the motel, Lee hangs back to get a full look at Patty's black hose along with beige ones worn by Gwen under her red uniform polo and knee length denim skirt. skirt.
"So," Lee says while walking closer to Gwen. "You said Violet was right. Your town has their own pantyhose?"
Their host slightly tilts her head back while continuing to walk. "Kind of, it's more of an additive if you will. An aerosol treatment added to normal pantyhose to make them extra durable and all around more desirable to wear." Upon entering the motel office, the group is overcome with a sweet smell that is a cross of flowers and fruit. Without saying a word, they all stop in time for a few moments to take in the aroma. Gwen smiles and hands out 4 keys. 2 to the couples, and 1 each to Lee and Patty.
The professor is going to dispute this, wanting to separate the couples, but, stops after another whiff and lets it go. "Meet in my room at 8 and we will go from there. Everyone agrees and heads to their rooms.
