I’ve been thinking about liminal spaces a bit tonight. And truck/rest stops are often considered to be liminal spaces. Having family a few states over, I’m no stranger to family road trips and, by extension rest stops. There is one thing about them that I’ve thought about for years.
People work there.
There are people who are not just passing through, but show up day after day, clock in, work for hours, and then go home. Where do they live? What are they like? Are these liminal spaces no longer liminal for them? Its a set destination for them now.
What sort of weird shit do they see every day that they just sigh and return to mopping the floor? The unusual that is just another day on the job. That weird otherworldiness at 3am but whatever I’m on a break.
Perhaps they are immune to the effects of the passing spirits mixing with the mundane, cause how can you be in a liminal space if its your job? Maybe they are special caretakers that keeps the spirits moving on their way, giving directions to things no one else is supposed to see.
Either way they aren’t paid enough to deal with this shit.
@ayyoade dude the stories in the air are stirring and idk what im saying anymore
People who are into this concept should read this book– The Ghost of Sparrow Hill Road– since it’s about this very thing (among other things) and also if you’re really into the concept of Elsewhere University you’d probably like this book in general.
Oh man I love it when there’s a post that says “someone should write a book about this” and then someone HAS.
Does anyone remember the title or author of a short story about a widower who is offered a job working for an apparently normal ferry boat line that sometimes crosses into alternate universes? The owners are aware of this, which is why they only hire people without families, and advise him to take advantage of their “no questions asked” quitting policy should he ever fall in love with someone on shore, as he might never locate that universe again if he gets back on the boat.
Mooncustafer 