The Sixty-Sixth Sunset

Alex, a man in his late twenties, has achieved everything society deems successful: a degree from a top university and a lucrative job at a major corporation. Yet, a crushing sense of emptiness consumes him. When a sudden corporate downsizing leaves him unemployed, he impulsively liquidates his assets, buys a beat-up camper van, and embarks on a journey along the iconic Route 66 with no destination in mind. The narrative is a collection of vignettes, with each stop introducing Alex to the raw, authentic lives of others. He meets a weathered diner owner who teaches him the beauty of a simple life, a young musician chasing an impossible dream with unwavering passion, and a family that has lost their home but not their hope. These encounters force Alex to confront the hollowness of his past ambitions and his strained relationship with a family that valued prestige over happiness. His journey ceases to be about escaping and transforms into a pilgrimage of self-discovery, piecing together a new identity from the genuine human connections he forges along the forgotten highways of America.