The gas station attendant in nowhere, Nebraska, was majestically framed by a full-sized American flag. After niceties, he inquired about my accent.

“I’m from Jersey.”

His eyes misted, “That’s near 9-11.”

What?

“Some might forget, but not me.”

I briefly wondered if people in Poland obsess over tragedies in Spain.

J. Ian Manczur wrote this story. ALIVD MONSTRVM SIMPLICITER SVM.