This is not a guide to jaywalking. It’s a humorous story; I lied.
Now that I’ve got your attention, please enjoy this anecdote. ‘Twas written by a dear friend of mine, Archibald Smittens*, who is a real person** who actually exists***.
*: Not his real name.
**: Not true.
***: Censors have attempted to verify this for years. None have, as yet, returned alive.
[Your Humble Editor also feels obligated to preface by saying that the low-fat version of cream cheese DOES NOT taste the same. He does not wish to spread such malicious lies. Anyway, without further ado…]
3 Perspectives on Jaywalking
Perspective 1:
The red hand. Just great.
9:27—three minutes left. The coffee shop’s only what? three, four blocks away? I can still make it…
The woman next to me just quickly skimmed the empty road and then jaywalked. More like a leisurely jay-stroll. What’s she thinking? Back home, no one would ever do that. Ma would’ve killed me. It was either jaysprint or jaysplat.
Still no cars, and that red hand’s still there.
Well, maybe it is time for a jaysprint.
But I’m in a suit; that’d look weird…right?
Middle-aged guy checks his watch, gulps down a half-chewed bite of bagel, and then rushes across the street. Didn’t even look both ways. Actually looked kinda cool doing it.
Well, until he dropped the bagel.
Maybe I should bolt across too. Like one of those guys from the movies.
Oof, curbside puddle. Just great.
Ah a dry patch. Perfect.
Wait.
Who am I kidding. I can’t.
My foot returns to the curb, defeated.
The empty road stares back.
Maybe… Just maybe…
My foot lifts off again.
Maybe just this once…
And the red hand turns into the white man.
Oh well. Right. Left. Empty road.
At least, Ma’d be proud.
Perspective 2:
Damn good bagel today. Think I’m gonna stick with this low fat stuff. Tastes pretty much the same as the regular cream cheese.
Countdown stops. But that stupid hand’s still there.
Chunks getting stuck in my teeth? Gotta check before I walk in the office.
Oh wow, now dumbass over here walks across the intersection. No hesitation. No urgency either. The hell’s wrong with her?
No cars out there, but seriously, lady? Can’t wait like two goddamn seconds for this light?
What’s the deal huh? Late or something? What’s the time anyways?
It’s only 9:28. Really? C’mon lady?
9:28!
Shit! Move people, move!
Yeesh. Took ya long enou—
Shit! No time to pick it up.
Perspective 3:
Red.
Right. Left. No cars.
Let’s go.
Julian Wise 