Somewhere in IL, Summer 1986

When I woke up this morning

I knew something wasn’t right

I was laying on a park bench

Sunlight in my eyes

My head was pounding out a rhythm that I didn’t recognize

My skull felt like it was gonna split

Fortunately, I still had my boots and leather on

And my contacts were still in my eyes

But where the hell was I, and how did I get here, was what I wanted to cry

I sat up with a struggle

Daring gravity to win

And looked at the scene

I was in a city park

Statue of someone to my right

Water fountain to my left

But where was the bike?

I had my wallet on me

There was no cash inside

Someone had had some fun

And forgot to invite me along for the ride

I got up shakily to my feet

Pulled my sunglasses out of my pocket and put them on my face

Turned away from the sun and headed East

Not sure why, other than the sun felt good on my face

At the square I found a diner

Looked right out of 1952

So I walked in and took a seat at the counter

Certainly looking a fright

Older waitress offered me coffee and I took it with joy

“You look a little rough there, Honey,” she said

I smiled at her as best I could.

“Tell me,” I asked her “Is there a bad bar in the near area?”

“The South Sider” she said, “About 2 blocks down the street, that way.”, she said pointing.

I ordered a couple eggs and toast and nursed my coffee for a bit until I started feeling relatively human. Paid her with the reserve $20 in my right boot and bid her farewell.

About 2 blocks down the street I found the South Sider tavern. It certainly looked bad enough. About a block further down the street on the same side I found the bike.

Now all I had to figure out was where the hell I was and how to get home.

Details.