human
Are you John Seeley?
gpt
That's me, the other's voice was as deep as he was stocky.
human
What can I do for you?
gpt
My name's Tower, Joe introduced himself.
human
Joe Tower. I didn't exactly come to talk with you, but with your father. Les Tenney told me he's been west.
gpt
And you, the other guessed,
human
I've been pondering on it. First I wanted to talk with somebody who's been there.
gpt
I've been there.
human
You have?
gpt
That's right, and I'll take Missouri.
human
You didn't like it?
gpt
I like this better. Man, the west's no land of milk and honey. The rain's as wet there, the snow's as cold, the bugs bite as hard, and it's to heck and gone from any other place.
human
How about free land?
gpt
There's that if a man has to have it.
human
Depends on how you look at things, don't it?
gpt
That's right. When do you aim to leave?
human
Don't know yet that I will leave. I just wanted to find out.
gpt
Tell you what, John Seeley suggested,
human
I've been only once over the California Road or, as some call it, the Oregon Trail. But my father spent most of his life in the west. Talk to him; he'll be up soon. Reckon you saw Sophie?
gpt
That I did. She's kind enough to get me some breakfast and I can't say I'm sorry. Left before sun-up.
human
Goshamighty! Fifteen miles with nothing to eat! Come in fast!