Loves Me Some Firefighters

But, I was all set to watch/listen to my favorite underground radio station when some idiot tried to set fire to my building!  After twenty minutes of bell ringing I called the after hours emergency number kindly given to me with my rental pack.  "Yeah," she says, "Sometimes that happens when somebody cooks."  I had smelled what I thought was toasted marshmallows (like for s'mores?) but that was HOURS ago!

Another twenty minutes, headache pounding and wondering how the hell I was going to flee the premises if I had to .  Call again.  Voicemail.  Voicemail????!!!!!  At the emergency number????  We're all gonna die.  Ten more minutes and I finally get through, "Yeah," she says, "I'm in the building trying to fix it."  Boy oh boy!  Am I ever reassured.

Joyful sound (as the bell ringing continues) of approaching fire engines.  Two engines, the chief's vehicle, and the ambulance.  Footsteps and conversation in the hall.  Take a peek?  Why sure, after I put on a clean shirt.  Forget shoes.  I know I'll never make it out anyway and they'd melt to my feet long before I reached safety. 

Firefighter.  Full regalia.  Another three at the other end of the hall.  Radios blaring and carrying axes.  Axes!!!!  These are metal doors!  "No, m'am.  Sorry for the smell.  Just a cooking fire.  One of your neighbors fell asleep and kind of burned up his kitchen.  No worries.  Just close your door.  You are perfectly safe."  Well, I was never really worried.  I've resigned myself to certain events. 

Missed the show I was hoping for.  Got this one instead.  Okay now here is the punchline.  After I take my photos I hear the maintenance lady tell one of the officers, "Well, thanks for coming,  You sure saved my butt.  One of the residents called to complain about the bell."

ONE!!!!!!!??????