Death By Scissors

Prichard, Alabama has certainly had its share of social and economic problems over the years. Now it is one of the most blight ridden, crime infested cities in the United States. Unemployment stood at a whopping 15% before the global economic meltdown and one can only imagine how high it is now. During World War II, Prichard was one of the fastest growing cities in the nation due to its proximity to Mobile and the plethora of ship building industries that kept money in everyones pocket. Times were good. For anyone not alive up through the 1960's, it is next to impossible to imagine Prichard could have ever been anything but a bombed out wasteland. Once upon a time, yards were mowed and well kept streets provided safe passage for automobiles. At one time downtown Prichard was pristine, and equipped for a well rounded shopping experience. Among the stores were J C Penny, Woolworth, Sears, Prichard Camera, a hardware store, Prichard Rug and Shade, banks, a record store, and several drug stores that were as clean and well stocked as anything you would find in an affluent suburban community. The record store even had a private booth with headphones so you could listen to a vinyl record before you purchased it. That was then, this is now: up to one thousand buildings and abandoned houses are scheduled for demolition. The old downtown and much of Prichard itself looks similar to photos taken of Hiroshima and Nagasaki after dropping the atomic bombs. Nestled amongst the burglar barred stores in what is left of present day downtown sits the infamous Rainbow Lounge. No dive this side of Harlem could compete with the reputation of this establishment. Everything that ever squirmed beneath an upturned rock seems to find its way into this temple of nocturnal iniquity. A late night Rainbow Lounge performer and female impersonator named Maxine recently made the news by plunging a pair of scissors into someone's chest and killing them. The victim used Maxine's car without authorization and paid with their life. I am well mannered with most people and to each his own, but I generally cut a wide swath between myself and a passing drag queen. Not that they are all bad seeds, but self preservation kicks in and I do have enough sense to fear the unknown.