Sam had lived in Northern New York State his whole life. Right on the Canadian border. It was a forty- minute drive to Montreal from his front door. He had the best of both worlds he lived in a quiet rural farming community, but the big city was only minutes away.
Sam had met his friend Dan while in college. They had been roommates for four years, and got to be the best of friends. They partied hard while in school, and the three years since graduating had gotten together often. Sam going to Dan’s home- town of Poughkeepsie, from which they could either party there, or drive to Albany or New York City.
Dan had finally agreed to drive the four hours north to Sam’s house. Sam had a great weekend planned for them. Montreal was home to a lot of great strip clubs, and they were going to visit them all!
Dan drove up to Sam’s house immediately after work Friday night, and crashed at his place so they could get an early start in the morning. The drive form Sam’s house to the U.S./Canadian border was a short one, and the passage through the border itself simple. You drove your car up to a booth like any toll booth, and the border guards asked the car’s occupants their names, where they lived, asked them where they were going, and how long they would be staying…Standard questions. Two minutes and they were on their way.
The drive from the border took no time at all, and the rural landscape gradually gave way to a more metropolitan setting. The suburbs were typical of any large city. The Saint Lawrence River separated them from their destination. They crossed the Jacques Cartier Bridge, one of many that spanned the river, and drove a short way to a parking lot that Sam knew was well manned, and cheap. They would be taking Montreal subway system, the “Metro”, to get around the city. Sam claimed it was faster, and the “scenery” could be really good.
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