North by Northwest
“NORTH BY NORTHWEST,” the old man said. He pointed.
“That’s south,” I said. “North’s that way.” I thrust a thumb over my shoulder.
“North by northwest.” Again, he pointed to the south. “You wanna take that road.
Don’t stop there, you’ll be sorry you ever did.”
I climbed into the taxi.
“North by northwest?” He nodded in the rearview mirror. “Don’t go there much no more,” he said. “Hafta charge you extra for that one.”
I didn’t answer. From the rear window I watched the old man and the small town disappear on the horizon.
I fell asleep on the way. When the taxi jolted from the smooth highway onto a bumpy road I woke up and rubbed my eyes.
“Where are we?” I asked, groggy.
“North by northwest,” the taxi driver answered. The taxi stopped.
“Is there a hotel?” I rubb
