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God's Country
Violet
"Stop laughing," he ordered.
"No," she managed, between giggles.
"It's not funny."
"Oh, it's funny." She wiped her eyes. "It's about the funniest thing ever in the history of mankind."
"For God's sake, C.J. People get pulled over for speeding. It happens."
"Toby, you propositioned him."
"That's not what--"
"You propositioned a state trooper."
"I was misinterpreted."
She laughed again. "You told the man you would rather--"
"I was speaking metaphorically." He turned up the air conditioning. "I hate Kansas."
"We're not in Kansas anymore," she pointed out.
He shot her a glare. "Shut up, Dorothy."
"Yes, Toto. But we're in Nebraska."
"Right. I hate Nebraska."
"This is America!" She drummed her fingers on the dashboard. "This is what we work for."
"It's a part of America. My least favorite part."
"You know, you should tell them that when we get to Lincoln. I'm sure there are a few hundred farmers who'd love to hear it." She rolled down her window. "We're in actual Middle America here, Toby. The geographical center of the United States."
"The Bible Belt," he said disgustedly. "And roll that back up."
"It's not that hot out."
"Roll it up or you can walk back to Omaha and suck up to the insurance lobby on your own."
"You'd do it better than I would." Her eyes gleamed wickedly as she rolled up the window. "After all, you offered that state trooper--"
"That's it." He pulled the car over on the shoulder, and covered his face with his hands.
"Why'd you stop?"
"Why didn't I take the bus with Josh and Sam?"
"Because they voted you out when you started cursing at NPR at five in the morning when people were still trying to sleep. And because you find my company more delightful than theirs. Get out of the car."
"What?"
"I need to stretch. Come on." She opened her door and walked around.
He opened his reluctantly. "This reminds me of a book."
"A Thousand Acres?"
"Children of the Corn."
"Thanks, because I don't have enough keeping me up nights."
"There's something innately right about cities," he mused, folding his arms. "There's something good about the convergence of many people living life in one place. There's something missing out here."
"You just think that because you're a city kid."
"So are you."
"Details." She opened her arms and looked up at the sky. "This part of the country is as basic as it gets. Not to mention that it's feeding the rest of us. It's the heartland."
"Deep. That was very deep. Can we get back in the car now?"
"Do you actually know what exit we're supposed to be looking for?" she challenged.
"I'm assuming it's the one with the sign that says Lincoln."
She frowned. "We're going to end up on a little gravel road somewhere."
"I thought you were the one who loved it out here."
"I think it's refreshing. I didn't say I would live here."
He nodded. "I miss New York."
"I miss Los Angeles."
"God knows why."
"What happens if we never get out of Kansas?"
"We're in Nebraska," he reminded her. "And anyway, we'd just drive west until we hit the Pacific. Or, you know, kill ourselves."
"I didn't mean literally." She pushed her hair back. "I meant in terms of -- what happens if we don't win this campaign?"
"Life goes on."
"What are we going to--"
"Life goes on," he repeated. "But we're going to win."
"Yeah." She grinned. "Especially if you're as persuasive with the voters out here as you are with the traffic cops."
"You're never going to drop that, are you?"
"No. But I'm taking the bus next time. You made me listen to Don Imus."
"So?"
"I like Howard Stern better."
He stared at her. "Right now I'm not sure whether I'm scared for you or scared of you."
She waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, you're scared of amber waves of grain."
"Can we go now?"
"Can I drive now?"
"No."
"Why?"
"For one thing, you called me Toto back there. For another thing, you drive like a crazy lady."
"I drive like a Californian. And you're the one who was speeding."
"Only because I want to get the hell out of the heartland and find someplace where they've got buildings."
"Why'd you take the car with me if you weren't going to let me drive?"
"Because I find your company--" His words were drowned out by a passing truck.
"What?"
He shrugged and tossed her the keys. "Let's get going."
She shot him an odd look, but smiled. "On the road again...."
"No singing. If you get to drive, no singing."
"Deal."
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