Horn of Plenty

A horn a plenty

Thursday, July 28, 2011 John and Leah joined us for a ride in the Jeepster up to Featherstone Center for the Arts.  We wanted to get there early, as my assignment, with my friend John, was to park cars for a poetry reading by Billy Collins.  It was a warm, sunny evening and the public was energized as they headed up the long hill to park their cars.  John was an excellent ally, directing traffic in an orderly manner.
Billy arrived in a Mini Cooper, with his partner Janine.  He asked for preferred parking, as he was the main event of the evening, and I motioned him to a spot not far from where I’d parked the Jeepster.  We exchanged words as I settled into my second-row seat, and enjoyed his opening remarks.
Billy was only in his second poem when the Featherstone Director, Ann Smith, waved me out of the crowd.  I worried someone had parked illegally, and hurried off.  Instead, she alerted me to an alarm sounding from … my Jeepster.  I felt my face color as I dashed over and wiggled the horn button.  It shut down and I crawled back into my seat in the second row.
Billy continued to amuse his audience with comic poems and wistful asides and explanations.  I worried at the nuisance of my horn going off, akin to a cell phone interruption.  Nearly forty minutes went by, and there was Ann, waving me off stage, and back to the Jeepster.  This time she requested me move it farther from the venue.  I obliged, but the racket of the engine starting up I’m sure caused further interruption to Billy’s show.  Chagrined, I returned once more to my seat.
That was it.  The embarrassment of the horn made an enjoyable evening more memorable.  Billy was also interrupted by a couple of low-flying planes, so I had some company.  But I have to say the erratic horn on the Jeepster did cause me some concern.
Next day my friend John showed me how to disconnect the horn.  So now I can attend poetry readings without fear or consternation!