Interstate 81 from Reassembled by Lee Todd Lacks

Driving down the road,
and we really wanna stop.
Yes, we really wanna stop,
but we just can’t stop.

We wanted to stop
two hundred miles ago,
three hours ago,
but we just can’t stop.

And we’re hoping the cops
will pull us over
‘cause then we can spend
the night in jail.

A night in jail’s no cause for weeping
compared to where we might be sleeping,
in our car, at a truck stop, without a gun
on Interstate 81!

At the Ramada Inn in Roanoke,
we wanted to stop, but we just couldn’t stop.
At the Ramada Inn in Roanoke,
We wanted to stop, but we just couldn’t stop.

There’s no room at any inn for miles around
‘cause there’s NASCAR racing in Bakerstown.
We really wanna stop,
but we just can’t stop!

And we’re not alone out here on the road.
There’s dozens of people just like us.
They really wanna stop,
but they just can’t stop.

So forget about the auto race on the oval track!
See the speedy cars going ‘round and ‘round!
The real auto race has already begun
on Interstate 81!

Now we’re racing for the exits.
Now we’re flying down the off ramp.
And now we’re looking for the big signs.
Holiday, Ramada, Comfort Inn.
We really wanna stop, but we just can’t stop!

Screeching to a halt in the parking lot.
People jumping out of moving cars.
Now we’re rushing for the front door.
Now we’re rushing for the front desk.

And now we’re pleading with the check-in girl.
Give us a room! Please give us a room!!
I’ll pay any price! Take my sister, my mother,
my daughter, my wife!

I’ll sleep in the mop closet!
I’ll sleep on the bar!
If we can’t sleep here,
we’ll have to sleep in the car!

Can’t drive anymore!
I’m finished! I’m done!
So please don’t make me
get back on Interstate 81!!

• Electronic
• computer music
• spoken word
• South Portland