Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

Hunter S. Thompson's savage journey to the heart of the American dream, line by line.

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The rental man was obviously shaken.

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

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After signing all the papers, I got in the car and almost lost control of it while backing across the lot to the gas pump.

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

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We had trouble, again, at the car rental agency.

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

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“That’ll give him something to think about,” he muttered as we drove off. “That guy is a paranoid psychotic, anyway. They’re easy to spot.”

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

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“We’ll be back,” he yelled. “One of these days I’ll toss a fucking bomb into this place! I have your name on this sales slip! I’ll find out where you live and burn your house down!”

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My attorney shook his fist at them.

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“Now take that stuff and get the hell away from here,” one of them shouted through the slit.

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

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Then they opened the door just wide enough to shove the equipment out, before slamming and locking it again.

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

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Finally two salesmen brandishing tire irons came to the door and we managed to negotiate the sale through a tiny slit.

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

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There were people inside, but they refused to come to the double - glass door until we gave it a few belts and made ourselves clear.

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The store was closed by the time we got there.

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But we were delayed en route when a Stingray in front of us killed a pedestrian on Sunset Boulevard.

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It was closed, but the salesman said he would wait, if we hurried.

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We made several more calls and finally located our equipment in a store about five miles away.

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"Now we need a 8 sound store with the finest equipment. Nothing dinky. We want one of those new Belgian Heliowatts with a voice - activated shotgun mike, for picking up conversations in oncoming cars.”

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas

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“Don’t take any guff from these swine,” I said as he slammed the phone down.

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Then after a pause, he began shouting: “What? Of course the gentleman has a major credit card! Do you realize who the fuck you’re talking to?”

Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas