Taking the Loop

(By Russell/A.K.A Cody Jarrett)

Thank you for travelling with Aer Lingus and we hope to see you again soon. 

Terminal 5, O'Hare International, a city in itself. There's an information desk, let's ask that guy. I'd been practising/perfecting my Chicagoan drawl for weeks, now was the time to put it to good use. Ex...coose, me, man I said. Which way to Terminaaal 2? The guy looked bemused. Where you from? he said. Damn, he didn't undertand a word I'd said! Er...England, I said, somewhat deflated. Oh, ya? said our real Chicagoan.

Furnished with directions we headed for the shuttle bus. You goin' to Terminal 2? I said in my best Anerican accent. Sure, get on, said the driver. Several miles later we alighted at Terminal 2. If this is O'Hare how big is Chicago?! We were headed for the 'Loop' to take us into Downtown Chicago. At the ticket barrier it was best to ask for directions. Ex...coose me, how do we get to Clark and Lake I said. The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) employee said: You from Australia? Moving on...

$5 and forty minutes later we were in Downtown Chicago. Everything you've seen in Warner Bros' gangster movies was there - the skycrapers, the overhead Loop railway lines, diners, dives, broads 'n' hustlers. We got off at La Salle and headed three blocks east to our hotel. We kept on walking...we were lost! Perfect! We stopped two cops...Ex...coose me. Could you tell me the way to South Michigan Avenue? If anyone should know it had to be the Chicago Police Dept.. Ya, three blocks thataway then turn on to Washington Avenue. We were gettin' there. Three blocks later we were lost...again. An apartment building janitor was closing up for the night. Ex...coose me, could you tell me if we're near Washington Avenue. This time we got it, it was just round the corner. 

The Congress Plaza Hotel, built in the 1890s, is one of Chicago's most historic sites. Fifteen or more US Presidents have given speeches in its imposing two thousand seater ballroom. Of much greater interest to your BSH correspondent was the prospect of tracking down Bogie, Jimmy Cagney and George Raft. Those dirty rats had it comin' to 'em. I'd waited a long time to settle a score with the low down, dirty bums. Stepping out of the elevator on the eighth floor a figure in the shadows scuttled down the back staircase. Yeah, scuttled like a dirty rat. I gave chase but they were gone, down a fire escape into the night. It could have been Bogie, maybe Cagney, I guess I'll never know. It was time for some shut eye. 
Russell