Laid over.

I didn't realize it at the time, but Mickey was scheduled to take five days of home time after delivering the load he was hauling when the company called him, ordered him to divert his course to pick me up, and delayed his home time for a few weeks to provide me with at least that much training time. The only good thing to come out of that would be he'd have even more home time to enjoy whenever they decided to grant it to him. Also, I'd start making a paycheck.

He drove the rest of the afternoon/night after picking me up, because the course diversion had made him late and he wanted to make up time if he could. The truck's governor makes that impossible, though. Without momentum from a full trailer and a steep, lengthy decline, the max speed of the truck is 65mph. I didn't mind not driving the first day. I had enough to deal with just settling in and mentally preparing myself for the weeks of training with this man that laid ahead. I was anxious.

A part recall we received after completing delivery left us stranded in Harrisburg for a two day layover. We stayed at the Piñata. It was a fiesta themed hotel run by a Latino family. The shuttle driver had an even more coherent accent than Mickey, but he was a dark, happy, strange, little old man and he was funny to listen to regardless of comprehension.

''Yeah, buddy. (No idea followed by a giggle.) You know what I mean?''
''Yep.''
''Yeah, man. (Not a clue followed by more giggling.)''

The room we stayed in was extremely feminine. All of the wooden surfaces of the room had been painted a very light shade of pink. Mickey was beside himself.

''Look. They got a huge vanity so you can put your makeup on.''
''Damn. I knew I forgot to pack something.''
''Well, that's a shame. Maybe there's some in one of those little pink drawers.''
''Nope. Bible and take-out menus.''
''We sure need those. I'll order some pizza. You better take advantage of the shower while we got one.''
''I definitely will.''

We watched 18 hours of television each day. I watched more television since starting my new job than I ever did while unemployed. The first few days of my training seemed rather pointless, but I get paid whether I do something or absolutely nothing. So, there's that.