"For the last time, Sammy, I am not the one who's gonna have to change!" Dean was grateful they were finally on the last leg of the journey so he wouldn't have to tolerate this much longer. Just a few more miles to go. He was hungry, he was tired, and most of all he was annoyed that he and his brother had accidentally worn identical flannels. They were matching and it looked really stupid.

"Hey," Sam said, "it's not my fault you picked the same shirt as me."

"Oh, don't start that again!" Dean threw his hands up in exasperation.

"Hands on the wheel!"

"I know how to drive!"

"Then focus!" Sam sighed and slouched into his seat. Sometimes these long drives really took their toll on the brothers. If Dean could only get over his fear of flying, travel would be so much easier. Of course, then they wouldn't have his precious baby, and Dean wouldn't go for that either.

"I'm about ready to call it a night, Sam."

"It's not much farther. Just keep going."

Dean was silent.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive."

"No."

"Dean…"

"You're not driving."

"But…"

Dean reached over and turned the radio up. Sam took the signal and shut his mouth. After a brief silence, Dean said, "You're still gonna change your shirt." Sam groaned and started to reply, but Dean cut him off. "No. I'm driving. So you're gonna reach into your back and switch your shirt before we get to White Oak Marsh or whatever…"

"White Pine Bay."

"Right, White Pine Bay. That's what I said. You're gonna change, 'cause if you don't, we're gonna look real stupid when we check into wherever we're staying. And I'm pulling into the first motel I see, 'cause I'm beat."

Not seeing any other way this situation could pan out, Sam finally decided to do as he was told. He grabbed a shirt out of the small bag on the backseat, changed it with the one he was wearing, and threw the matching one in the back.

"Hey, hey, hey! Don't make a mess!"

"I'll get it when we get there."

"Sam. The Impala."

"Don't argue with me. I did what you asked. Just focus on the road and… wait…"

"Is that a motel sign up there?"

"I think so…" Sam rolled his window down and stuck his head out to get a better look. They got a little closer, and he could just make out the neon blue letters. "Yes. It looks like it says 'BATES MOTEL.' And I think there's a vacancy."

As they approached the long building, and saw that the "NO" was, in fact, unlit, Dean pulled in and brought the Impala to a stop near the door on the far end marked "OFFICE."

The brothers got out of the car and peered into the office. No one was here.

"Dammit!" Dean hissed. "I'm tired, and I don't…"

"Relax. The manager's probably around here somewhere."

Unbeknownst to the brothers, a light had just flicked on in the house that loomed atop the hill behind the motel.

The Winchesters looked around unsuccessfully for any sign of human activity. Sam even wandered down the walkway the length of a few rooms, but there didn't appear to be anyone around.

"No one?" Dean asked.

"No one," Sam confirmed.

"Should we move on then?"

"I don't know," Sam sighed, exhausted as well from the long trip. "It looks like we may have to."

The brothers started to move back toward the Impala, giving up. At that moment, they heard footsteps approaching and whirled around. Years of hunting had taught them that they needed to be ready for anything.

"Hello there." A figure rounded the corner. "Can I help you?"