Page 54 - Billy Graham in Heaven

The Promised Land Pub
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“Well, I hope you feel as good during the coming attractions,” said Jake. “They announced that during July 4th festivities Governor Martin plans a five-day salute to the troops, the mother of all parades, and then a coordinated, statewide Pledge of Allegiance, Star Spangled Banner and tolling of the bells.”
“Say it ain’t so,” said Cathy.
“Relax,” Greta said. “Good we did. Now their turn they get.”
“It seems like their turn is every turn,” countered Cathy.
Newt grinned but then covered his ears as a loud rumble shook the bar. In the street about ten Harley Davidson bikers and belles were thundering slowly by in full hog regalia. Weaving among them were a crowd of punk teens, some of whom had stiff, multicolored Mohawks, while others had noses, cheeks or eyelids pierced with nails, safety pins or other hardware. The two subcultures eyed each other warily. More bikers and punks hung out in the nearby parking lot.
“There’s going to be a riot!” shouted Newt above the roar.
“Just some Asheville local color,” laughed Jake. “It’ll be beautifully ironic if the violence occurs over costumes here, and not over war at the Civic Center.”
Violence was actually the last thing on the minds of the hogs and punks. They were just a few among many other Asheville convention goers that often saturated their small city, made more noticeable by its sometimes sparse downtown population. Most locals stayed outside Asheville on the weekends, keeping to the surrounding suburban areas of Buncombe County — to the malls and