ng silently from her face as she did so。
* * *
Because he had only the flight bag he'd carried for luggage； Hallorann beat
the crowd to the Hertz desk on the lower level。 Outside the smoked glass windows
he could see the snow still falling steadily。 The gusting wind drove white
clouds of it back and forth； and the people walking across to the parking area
were struggling against it。 One man lost his hat and Hallorann could miserate
with him as it whirled high； wide； and handsome。 The man stared after it and
Hallorann thought：
（Aw； just forget it； man。 That homburg ain't in down until it gets to
Arizona。）
On the heels of that thought：
（If it's this bad in Denver； what's it going to be like west of Boulder？）
Best not to think about that； maybe。
〃Can I help you； sir？〃 a girl in Hertz yellow asked him。
〃If you got a car； you can help me；〃 he said with a big grin。
For a heavier…than…average charge he was able to get a heavier…than…average
car； a silver and black Buick Electra。 He was thinking of the winding mountain
roads rather than style； he would still have to stop somewhere along the way and
get chains put on。 He wouldn't get far without them。
〃How bad is it？〃 he asked as she handed him the rental agreement to sign。
〃They say it's the worst storm since 1969；〃 she answered brightly。 〃Do you
have far to drive； sir？〃
〃Farther than I'd like。〃
〃If you'd like； sir； I can phone ahead to the Texaco station at the Route 270
junction。 They'll put chains on for you。'
〃That would be a great blessing； dear。〃
She picked up the phone and made the call。 〃They'll be expecting you。〃
〃Thank you mu