SIGHTS
Drive-up bays, corrugated metal walls or plastic splash curtains between the bays, wet concrete, flashing green and red lights, a ticket booth with an attendant or an automated pay portal for transactions, high ceilings and florescent lighting, pools of suds, spraying wands and brushes dispensing soap and water, iridescent-water that shimmers as chemicals are carried toward floor drains and grates, wall clips for spraying floor mats, mist-laden air, dirt and clumps of mud sloughing off vehicles, dull chrome and hazy headlights becoming bright once more, light that glimmers off clean paint, garbage bins, small bits of paper debris and gravel littering the floor or being caught in the drain, waxing tools, water pooling in low spots on the concrete, a flash of brake lights coming on as a person prepares to drive out, vehicles exiting and parking outside so they can be wiped down or vacuumed
SOUNDS
The blast of a sprayer, automatic doors rising and lowering, the ding of a timer going off on the soap dispenser, echoing voices as parents yell at their kids to close the window or door, the splat and plop of suds and dirt sliding down the car and landing on the concrete, dripping water, the gurgle of the drainage system, cars shutting off and then firing up again, receipt tape chattering out of an automatic pay portal, a glass window sliding open as people drive through to pay an attendant, doors and tailgates clicking open and shut, the splash of water as one steps or drives through a puddle, the clank of a floor grate as a car drives over it
SMELLS
Moist air, water, soapy chemicals and hot wax, mildew, wet concrete, exhaust fumes
TASTES
No tastes are associated with this setting. But since many car washes are attached to gas stations, occupants of the vehicle may stop to pick up a drink or snack on the way in or out.
TEXTURES AND SENSATIONS
Water spraying the skin, wet cuffs, water and soap sliding down a forearm, twisting the timer for a soap or wax dispenser, the weight of the spraying wand, the side to side motion of waving it to rinse, scrubbing at the windows with a brush, wet feet (if wearing flip-flops), re-gripping a slippery handle, soap suds that drip on one’s feet if standing too close to the car, a blob of suds sliding off the vehicle onto one’s hand, digging into one’s pocket for keys or money, pulling on a wet car handle, a neighbor’s careless sprayer handling resulting in a shot of water to the face or back
POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONFLICT
Chemicals or poor equipment maintenance that damages or scratches one’s paint job
A car that refuses to start after the washing is complete
Something disturbing falling out of the front grill as one hoses it off (a bloody dog collar, a clot of hair)
Running into a rival while using the car wash
Locking oneself out of the car
PEOPLE COMMONLY FOUND HERE
Employees (attendants and maintenance personnel), the car wash manager, vehicle owners and their passengers
RELATED SETTINGS THAT MAY TIE IN WITH THIS ONE
Convenience store, gas station, old pick-up truck, parking lot
SETTING NOTES AND TIPS
Manual car washes may look different depending on how old they are, and whether they are a standalone business or belong with a gas station. Some may have a drive-in lane system where one pays and then waits for a single roll-up door to open as a bay inside empties. Others will have bays that stretch out in a row, and a vehicle simply chooses an empty stall and drives in, or waits for the current vehicle using it to vacate. Some car washes will have attendants washing the cars and others will not. Still more may run on a coin-operated system and have change machines nearby. As the author, you are in control, so design your setting in a way that will further the plot events or provide conflict opportunities for your scene.
For example, if two rivals are to meet up inside and conflict ensues, a car wash with many bays and hard plastic spray curtains between stalls will provide better access and therefore more opportunity for clashing. One character could block another’s vehicle from exiting to anger them, key their car when their attention is elsewhere or even plant something incriminating inside the victim’s car.
SETTING DESCRIPTION EXAMPLE
Trevor pulled up in his Z-28, but the bay was occupied so he shifted into neutral and cranked up the tunes. Ahead, some old guy was hosing down his hummer, throwing up gouts of spray. The dirt sloughed off, giving way to bright red paint. Globs of mud and gravel fell from the bumper in giant clumps and Trevor nodded, impressed. He had to give Grandpa here props; wherever he’d gone off-roading in between his old people routine of dropping kids at daycare and working a 9-to-5er, he’d managed to bring half the mountain back with him.
Techniques and Devices Used: Contrast, hyperbole
Resulting Effects: Characterization