Article Link: http://stage.exchangepress.com/article/a-manner-of-speaking/5015488/
Picture a perfect Seattle day �" sunshine, blue sky, gentle breeze. “The Mountain is out” (a Northwest term, referring to the visibility of Mt. Rainier) and tourists and residents stroll about enjoying landmarks and vistas . . . and weather. Friends and I were walking towards Pike Place Market to watch the flying fish when we happened upon a dramatic altercation.A woman was holding a parking spot on the street by standing in the middle of it, when a van began to pull in. The woman yelled at the van and would not budge. The van eased slowly into position. The woman was dialing frantically on her cell phone and screaming as the van began to push her out of the way. When she could hold her position no longer, the woman rushed to the driver’s window to yell directly at the driver.
When the woman’s companion arrived, she headed her car into the awkwardly occupied spot. Recreate the scene in your mind: van in position, everyone inside screaming and yelling; woman gesturing, screaming into her cell phone; driver of the other car edging in, laying fiercely on the horn; anger, tension, a tangible sense of danger; children inside the ...