Nerve Endings Firing Away

Summer days are usually very slow and dull especially when the mercury begins its long-delayed climb upwards. But yesterday around mid-afternoon, everyone at the office had something to gawk at and talk about. After all, it is not every day that a car burns up in your office parking lot. No one really knows how it started. Some say, it was a fused car alarm. The car just went up in flames. And took out another car on its right. A colleague’s car to the left got badly scorched but was spared the brunt of the flames thanks to the westerly wind. The fire brigade (is that what they call it out here in the States? I can’t recall) was at the scene in no time and by the time, folks were emptying out of the building trying to get a look, the flames were doused out.

Of course, that didn’t stop everyone from dumping their work for a while and standing outside chatting away to glory. Most looked shocked although I bet they didn’t mind indulging in voyeuristic pleasure of seeing something go up in flames. After all, we pay top dollar to see stuff blow up in the movies so why would you give up the opportunity if it happens in real life, right? The sad part was that the car belonged to a poor handicapped student who looked really remorse at the sudden tragic loss of his vehicle. The other woman who owned the adjacent car admitted to bitching about planning to get rid of her car. I guess, she got her wish fulfilled….in a dramatic fashion. I’m sure that particular spot where the car burned down will be empty tomorrow for no apparent reason.