by Tom Molnar

Duke’s truck is parked and with paperwork in hand, Duke heads toward the dispatch office to sign out for a couple of hard earned days off. As he’s walking he meets Joe, the morning dispatcher. Joe has a large box of donuts from a local donut shop balanced in one hand while his other is full of paperwork.

"Hey Joe!", Duke yells. "How you doin’ old buddy? What’s that you’ve got there? Donuts for us hard working drivers?"

"Hiya Duke", Joe returns. "As a matter of fact, I do have donuts for you hard working drivers. I’ve also got some safety notices to pass out and thought I’d make it more of a social gathering than one of those boring old safety meetings you all hate so much."

"Welllll, a man after my own heart", Duke says. He pulls out one of his Black Russians, places it in his mouth, and lights it with his official "Bubba’s Truck Stop" lighter. He drags deeply on it and blows a plume of smoke Joe’s way.

"C’mon Duke. When ya gonna quit them things? You’re killin’ me! Blow that stuff the other way." Joe tries to turn his whole body away from Duke but instead, presents the donut box closer to him.

Duke takes advantage of the situation and pops the box open, grabbing a big chocolate donut in the process.

"Thanks Joe", he says.

"Hey, c’mon Duke. Wait ‘til we get into the office at least. These are for everyone."

Duke, mouth full of donut, tries to reply.

"Doan be suf a parry pooer, Show. We’re buzz, mever?"

"Well, that’s it for you. You’ve had yours now."

Joe strategically puts the box in front of him and keeps walking as fast as he can, leaving Duke to scud along by himself.

* * * * *

Inside in the driver’s room, some attentive (or bored) driver looking out the window spots the donut box in Joe’s hand and spreads the word.

"Hey! Look at this! I see donuts in Joe’s hand. A whole box of them!"

Four other drivers rush the window to get a peek.

"Look out - let me see", one driver says as he elbows his way to the window.

"Hot damn! I wonder what the special occasion is", says another.

"You watch," says Mick, an old timer with B.S. Trucking. "These are for the big wigs, not us. I’ve seen it all before. All we get is a kick in the butt."

Al, another old timer with B.S., is hanging out of the driver’s room into the hall way leading to the front door.

"Aw Mick, you’re a spoil sport. Ya never know. They just may be for us."

Al turns his attention back to the front door, which is just opening. Joe is pushing it open with his foot so he can get the big box through. He looks up the two step flight of stairs and sees Al peering out of the driver’s room.

"Hey Al! How’re you this morning?" Joe flashes a big grin and does a pirouette while holding the box over his head. "I’ve got something for you guys this morning."

Duke is right behind Joe as the door almost closes. Duke puts his well polished alligator skin cowboy boot against it and slaps it open.

Al gets a big grin on his face and looks back in the driver’s room, right at Mick.

"Hey man, you’re wrong. They are for us. Man, look at the size of that box!" Then he spots Duke in hot pursuit. "Uh oh, there’s Slade right behind him. You guys better grab yours while you can. You know what a damned glutton he is."

Joe puts the box down on the center table, then tosses out a pocketful of quarters.

"Coffee’s on me guys. Breakfast is served…"

The ‘table rush’ is on and everyone grabs a donut. People come out of the woodwork as the rest of the terminal catches wind of the donut box in the driver’s room. Other dispatchers, office workers, dock personnel, mechanics, you name them, they’re here. And of course, Duke slips a hand in for a second donut. Joe, standing in the front of the room, announces that this is actually bribery to get everyone’s attention for a few safety announcements. While everyone is looking at Joe, Duke slips yet another donut out of the box and stuffs it in his mouth. Quickly washing it down with coffee, he eyes the few remaining donuts in the box. As he nears the box, Mick spots and busts him…

"Duke, you pig. Leave some for the rest of us!"

Duke looks up at Mick with a surprised expression…

"What’s up with you, Mick? I’m just getting some more coffee."

Duke skillfully does a slight turn toward the coffee machine and drops one more of Joe’s quarters into the machine, as if that’s what he intended to do. Actually, coffee is the last thing on his mind.

* * * *

After Joe reads the last of the safety items, the crowd slowly begins to dwindle as they head back to their respective offices and work areas. The donut box still sits on one of the tables, with two donuts left. Duke grabs one of them and hides it behind his back as he feigns interest in a magazine on another table. Sitting down and grabbing the magazine, he picks it up to hide his actions. He’s stuffing the donut down as quickly as he can, hoping not to be noticed.

There’s an apple fritter left in the box, and fritters are absolutely Duke’s favorite.

* * * *

Terminal manager Ed Simons and his personnel manager Bob Siggins are walking up to the front door when they pass Joe in the hall.

"Mornin’ Joe", Ed says.

"Good morning Mr. Simons. ‘Mornin’ Bob", Joe replies. "If you guys hurry, there’s still two donuts left from our morning safety meeting in the driver’s room."

"Oh great", says Bob. ‘I could use a donut. I got out of the house late and had to skip breakfast. Thanks Joe."

* * * *

As Duke leaves the driver’s room he picks up a discarded newspaper, looks around to see if anyone is watching, and grabs the last remaining apple fritter which he hides in the newspaper folded under his arm. He begins whistling one of his favorite Barry Manilow songs and heads out the door. He meets Mr. Simons and Bob Siggins in the hallway.

"Good morning gentlemen", Duke offers, smiling openly as he passes them.

"Morning Duke", Bob replies. "Get your fill of donuts this morning?", he asks jokingly.

"Yeah, I had one of them chocolate ones", Duke says. "It was great."

Duke shuffles quickly out of the office.

* * * *

Sitting in the stop-and-go morning commute traffic, Duke is beginning to feel a bit uncomfortable. His stomach feels a little queasy. He’s starting to get ‘the urge’.

Oh man, I’ve got to find a gas station or a McDonald’s or something. Oh man ……

The traffic inches along a car length at a time. There’s no exit ramp in sight.

Oh man….! Oh ma……….