Even if this process lasts some time legally, it appears that the law enforcement is on the side of the drys. As soon as the amendment was ratified, the local wineries and saloons were notified of their termination dates. Many local businesses plan to sell before that date takes place.

“I just don’t see it,” says Allan Markham, proprietor of the Goat’s Rest Tavern in Armin on Main Street. “Everyone in this situation will most likely sell their business and property. I do not intend to leave town. I will do what I have to and provide for my family. I am dismayed that I have to close the doors of my business, but if this is what people want, I understand. I understand, and I bear no ill will toward anyone.”

2018

The Kurtis Grass Farms daytime office was a small, rectangular steel building. It had four rooms. One main lobby area, with pamphlets and pricing in it, where Bev sat and handled phone calls and some orders (Ernie in the warehouse handled all the corporate orders). There was a small conference room where the employees could meet up once a month. There was a small, closet office that contained a disconnected phone, a lone computer monitor, and some files from 2013. Mr. Kurtis’s office was at the back end of the building. It was decorated with bright green carpet, a leather couch, and plenty of dark wooden furniture. He had a Sports Illustrated magazine that featured the Mizzou Tigers football team framed on the wall.

He clattered away at his desk on a laptop computer. He was sending an angry email to an administrator at Armin High School asking if any of the students’ cars were covered in mud and grass this morning.

“Mr. Kurtis?”

Beverly had walked in. She was a middle-aged woman with a short haircut and a lot of eye makeup. She had big aquamarine earrings on that draped down to her shoulders.

“Yes, Bev?”

“There’s a guy here to see you,” Bev said, “suit and tie guy. Mr. Mann.”

“What for?”

“I’m not sure,” she said.

“Well, did you ask?”

“Yeah,” Bev said, “but I got distracted. He’s kind of a…fluid talker. And I didn’t want to ask again to be rude.”

Mr. Kurtis sighed. Bev was a good woman. He didn’t even really move enough sod to justify a secretary. She was his brother’s widow, though, and family looks after family. It made sense. Plus, people liked her. And Mr. Kurtis understood that people generally didn’t like him.

“I don’t see any cars in the parking lot,” Mr. Kurtis said.

“He just walked right up,” Bev said.

“Hmm. That’s weird.”

“Yeah. It is. But he’s dressed nice, so I figured someone must have given him a ride,” Bev said.

“I guess,” Kurtis said. “Send him in.”

“Mr. Mann?” Bev said through the door, “Mr. Kurtis will see you now.”