I gun it,

and,

my car's engine groans to life reluctantly,

like an old furnace,

THUNK!

1st to 2nd,

2nd to 3rd,

3rd to 4th,

white lines shoot by me,

like phasers,

from the starship Enterprise,

the ambient noise around me increases,

the needle slowly climbing to the right,

like a caterpillar,

slowly ascending a tall tree,

now descending,

motion,

energy,

rubber tires screaming across the smooth black pavement,

attached to a golden beat-up piece of junk,

passing zillions of cars,

gasoline burning,

adrenaline pumping,

Signal left,

slam my foot to the floor,

pressure,

a heavy vice gripping my head,

the screw turning,

getting tighter,

a mist of perspiration wets my brow,

5 minutes late already.