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Lights Out!


June 13th, 2008
Erin T.

Growing up in the rural Midwest, there are aspects of city living that I am still not quite used to.  Take this morning for example.   I walked the short distance to my usual metro station, and rushed to catch a train that was already sitting at the track.  I entered, excited to see that there were plenty of seats available, and started to read a book.   The train ride was slow, with extended stops at each station, but these things happen, especially in the summer heat.  They kept announcing something about a fire at Metro Center (my destination), and some electrical issues, but at least we were moving forward.   The usual 20 minute trip took 45 minutes, but the train wasn’t too crowded and I managed to finish my book.  Not ideal, but it could have been worse. 

As soon as I exited the station, I noticed something was amiss.  The coffee shop was dark and people were congregating outside offices and stores.  I carefully crossed the street, since there were no traffic signals, and joined a small group of First Book employees.  It was 8:45 a.m.      

Here is the thing about power outages in the city.  Elevators run on electricity.  So does the air conditioning that regulates these towers of concrete.  And, even if you do climb the 10 floors to your office, you still won’t have the lights, computer, phones, fax, copier or coffee machine that enables your work.   

So, the growing number of First Book employees joined the other offices from our building and waited.  Some of us walked down to the duck pond a couple blocks away, others traveled beyond the effected areas and got coffee and bagels.  The deli down the street handed out their perishable fruit and salads which we enjoyed, and we waited.

 

  

Finally, at 10 minutes until 10 am the lights came back on.   The elevators are working, the air is on, and the computers and phones are fully functioning.  We are back in business, getting books to children who need them most.    

 

  

I am not looking forward to the commute home, but at least life in the city is never dull!  

 

 

 

 

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