Aweful-Aweful

            In the novel Northline byWilly Vlautin, the protagonist, Allison Johnson, finds herself in Reno trying to escape the tragedies in her life that had manifested in Las Vegas. Here, although she is haunted by her past, she attempts to make a fresh start. In doing so, one of the jobs that she takes on is one for a company that sells carpet cleaning vacuums. This job takes up the extra hours in her day that she dreaded due to the time it would gave her mind to wander. Penny, her boss and only co-worker at this job, eventually started to befriend her by taking her out. One of the places that she takes her to is the famous “Aweful-Aweful” that is located in the Little Nugget on Virginia Street. Here she enjoys this famous burger with her friend.

            On election night, Tuesday, November 6, 2012, my friends and I ventured downtown to do the same. It took about twenty minutes to walk from our dorm rooms all the way to our destination. It was already dark by the time we headed out on our journey. It wasn’t long before the creepers of the night showed themselves. We had not even gotten more than 100 meters off of campus before we saw these suspicious figures lurk around. It made me question how Allison could feel as if Reno was this mystical healing place. If anything, the dark figures of her past were ever more evident in a more threatening form. What I mean by this is that she was here by herself, alone with her thoughts. Seeing such things continually could haunt one. 

However, when we finally arrived at the Little Nugget, the sense of security went up a notch. Still, questionable characters surrounded us in the smoke filled casino. Once we made it to the back to the “Aweful-Aweful” we ordered two burgers in split them in thirds to share. The two chefs were very kind. At a glance, they seemed unapproachable. But making even the smallest of conversation transformed them into your friendly neighborhood chef. We sat down, and finally we were able to enjoy the most popular burger in town. It was just so perfect and delectable. For just a moment, I couldn’t imagine anything being better. I felt so at peace. 

Thinking of Allison, I could see how this was a significant change from being in Vegas. Being a native Las Vegan myself, I understand that sometime it feels like the city doesn’t need you as much as you need it. It really depends on how you integrate yourself and where you go. But in this experience at the “Aweful-Aweful” I started to comprehend the closeness of a small town city. There are traditions that everyone knows about and rituals that cannot be replicated elsewhere. And when you really look close, Reno is made up of many others who have escaped big city life for a new chance.