room with a view

needing a room,
a cheap
room
for the night,
you see the amber
glow
of a sign
just beyond
the curve
of the highway.
59 dollars,
cable t.v.
pool,
balcony,
a continental
breakfast
in the morning.
how's this
you say to Shirley,
sitting next
to you.
she's sleeping
having had
too much
chardonnay
and ambien,
and something else
you aren't sure of.
you tap her
shoulder
as you pull in
to the gravel lot.
she wakes up
and yawns, where
are we?
we're home honey,
i'll go
get the key.
okay, she says
putting her heels
back on.
see if they have
any cigarettes.
and maybe a room
with a view
of the pool.
as you walk towards
the office
where surely
norman bates
is behind
the desk you
look back and
see her
putting on her
lipstick
in the overhead
light.