David Means, “Sault Ste. Marie”

Petty criminals go on a spree.

(from The O. Henry Prize Stories 2006)

With all the sex and odd violence and pills and most petty crimes — and the word “drifter” — this story had a lot in common with The Hold Steady oeuvre. Compared to Craig Finn’s lyrics, David Means’ sentences are necessarily more information-giving, more blunt. But the mood is similar, one of hope and horror and fuck-all. Cool story.

I read this in the Nethers.