I was walking along the riverbank this morning when there was a really bright flash in the sky, in the west. Ah, probably Korea, I thought. Started heading home, then I realized I should probably take shelter.
Fortunately, Cara and Alison had set up a fair-sized pup tent, so I got in there. While I wondered whether the nylon sides would provide adequate protection for nuclear fallout, they tried to figure out how to get back to Pacific Theatre for the interviews this afternoon for the new staff position: I said they needn't bother, there were more important things to do at this point. I headed for the bridge.
But now I was on the North Shore, a lot further from home. And now the boardwalk along the water was too crowded to make good speed. Jostling among the people, I thought of the Prime Minister elbowing that MP, and that guy punching Bautista in the face, and realized none of that mattered any more, with the vaguest curiosity whether any of that had caused the end of the world.
I really have to get home to see if Carole's okay. To escape the crowds, I cut through a series of waterfront buildings in West Van. There's a nice little coffee shop, a couple customers, I consider ordering a bagel with lots of cream cheese - that will tide me over, and better get food while it's available - but the service is slow and I've got to get home. Peculiar that the kid behind the counter keeps working. Doesn't know what to do in such circumstances, doesn't want to get fired, I suppose.
Another flash. Yeah, this is for real. Hoping Carole will fill the bathtub. Hoping we've cleaned the bathtub so we won't have to drink gross water. Realizing that will be the least of our worries. Try to call Carole on my cell: no signal, obviously. Keep walking.
Fortunately I'm on the north side of the Fraser again, south of the airport. Not too far to go. Some waves crashing on the river for a little while, and I wonder if Thea and Lalo could surf those. Followed by trucks, floating up river, almost like very slow traffic on the highway, but bobbing along, some slowly sinking, others tipping to the side. I think they are from some huge ship that capsized. Why up river? I guess the shock wave is pushing them.
And that was that.
*
Why do people want to live out their dreams? I guess they dream differently than I do.
That'll teach me to stay up late, setting up my gear for The Top Ten Thousand.
Happy Victoria Day!
