Prepare: The Road - Supply List and Shopping Spree

I was just rereading over Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" the other day after seeing that the movie is now available on pay per view. I also watched the preview trailer for the film last night.

I have not brought myself to watch the film for a couple of reasons though.
First, I know the movie embellishes some scenes, leaves out others and includes a bunch of stuff not actually in the book.
Secondly, I have having a movie ruin a good book. I liked reading "The Road" and I don't want some Hollyweird people messing it up.

Here's an imaginary excersize to play: Suppose the Father in The Road was given a thirty minute shopping spree in a present day Walmart. What would he take?

So in the door he goes with his trusty shopping cart. He can only take what fits in the one cart but he can keep the cart when he's done.

You know and I know he is going for the ammo counter first. Having a pistol with one cartridge is pretty frustrating. Bad news though. Walmart is notoriously short on pistol ammo, especially .38. But I think if dad found a single box of 50 shells he would be estatic. Nope - I don't think he would feel compelled to snag a Ruger Mini 14 or Remington 870 while he is there. Too much stuff to carry.

Next up, shoes. Since dad and son spend all their time walking the road, their shoes are falling apart and replacements are needed. I can see dad grabbing at least two pairs for each of them as well as a half dozen pairs of socks.

Then, it's on to the grocery section. All the food looks great after a decade or so of deprivation, but dad is an analytical guy. So he goes for lots of small cans - beans, sausages, vegetables. Most of all, several cans of pork and beans as it is the son's favorite. Then dry lightweight foods like nuts, raisins, oatmeal, and beans. He would probably grab canned tuna and more crackers as he and the son like them. As a treat, he would stuff his pockets with chocolate bars and packets of cocoa. Finally, I think he would probably take some fresh fruit - bananas, oranges, lemons. Things the boy probably had never had.

The camping section would be next. I think dad would want a warm sleeping bag for each of them as well as some other basic camping equipment. I don't think dad would want to haul along a stove though and a flashlight or lantern would be a bad idea.

Clothing. More pants and shirts for both of them as well as sweaters and long underwear. New gloves would be nice as well as coats if they were available.

Finally, over the pharmacy. Something for dad's cough which might prevent its spread and possibly reverse the damage. Also, a bottle of aspirin would have been a life saver as well as some antibiotics.

Although Dad would probably want to stay in Walmart with son forever and avoid the hell of the road, but rules are rules and after 30 minutes its back to his own world. Hopefully, better off than before and maybe, it might result in a happier ending.

If you have not read The Road or seen the movie, both are available now. Check it out. Not for the faint hearted though.