Entry tags:
The author as moving target
So, here I am, driving to the day-job by the usual route and only slightly late. They're working on the bridge over -- is it the Messalonskee there? Whatever. Anyhow, Big Honking Orange Work Truck in my lane at the end of the bridge, attending workmen with shovels. In the other lane, a flagman, with the STOP side of his sign pointing at me. I stop. He sets free the cars waiting to make the turn off of River Road. There are no cars coming down Mayflower Hill. The last car passes, the flagman turns his sign to SLOW, and waves at me to get on with it.
Which I do.
I'm half-way across the bridge in the left lane when I see the white car coming down Mayflower Hill at an approximate speed of Warp Nine. I keep going, thinking the driver will see the frantically gesturing flagman and screech to a stop.
Except the car -- fancy white car -- maybe a brand new Altima? driven by a grey-haired man with a strong nose and a pampered beard, wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and a blue tie. How did I get such a good look at him?
BECAUSE HE NEVER STOPPED!
He never even slowed down
I stopped, flicked on the high-beams, leaned on the horn and prepared to meet my Goddess.
At about six inches out from my front bumper, he swerved into the right lane AND KEPT ON GOING up Gilman Street.
May I just say, it's a school day? And that many high school children walk down Gilman Street on their way to Waterville High? Not to mention, yanno, random secretaries who are only slightly late for work trying to survive the trip into the day-job?
Jayzeus Angelica Mondieu. I hope to God you got to wherever you were going without killing anybody, fella. And I hope your car melts into a puddle of useless gum before you can drive it again.
Which I do.
I'm half-way across the bridge in the left lane when I see the white car coming down Mayflower Hill at an approximate speed of Warp Nine. I keep going, thinking the driver will see the frantically gesturing flagman and screech to a stop.
Except the car -- fancy white car -- maybe a brand new Altima? driven by a grey-haired man with a strong nose and a pampered beard, wearing a long-sleeved white shirt and a blue tie. How did I get such a good look at him?
BECAUSE HE NEVER STOPPED!
He never even slowed down
I stopped, flicked on the high-beams, leaned on the horn and prepared to meet my Goddess.
At about six inches out from my front bumper, he swerved into the right lane AND KEPT ON GOING up Gilman Street.
May I just say, it's a school day? And that many high school children walk down Gilman Street on their way to Waterville High? Not to mention, yanno, random secretaries who are only slightly late for work trying to survive the trip into the day-job?
Jayzeus Angelica Mondieu. I hope to God you got to wherever you were going without killing anybody, fella. And I hope your car melts into a puddle of useless gum before you can drive it again.