Dr-Fix-It! Notebook Archive:
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Friday morning, a tall weathered man with a full beard and a yellow hard-hat climbed down from the cab of the Edison boom truck. He took a slip of paper from top left pocket of his Brown Carhart Jacket and read it. "Are you John?" "Yes" Referring to the paper again, The Edison Man said, "It says here we are supposed to hook a Temporary Panel for you." John pointed to the meter-socket and 400-amp breaker panel, "Yes, there it is right there." "You got a 'T O P S ' Permit?" John held his breath as he handed The Edison Man his green tag. The Edison Man studied it briefly and handed it back to John, "OK! No problem! We'll have you up and running in 30 minutes." John exhaled a sigh of relief. The Edison Man climbed back into the boom truck and moved into position near the power pole. Within the promised thirty minute time-frame, John's breaker panel was 'hot'. John cautiously began turning circuit breakers on, checking the amperage of each circuit as he energized it. One by one, the Christmas trees in the front parking lot began to shine with thousands of miniature lights. The Edison Man approached and watched John's amperage tests for a moment. "What is all this for?", The Edison Man finally asked. John glanced quickly over his shoulder as he worked, "It's a temporary panel for holiday lighting." "Whew!", the Edison Man grinned, "a 400 amp panel just for Christmas lights?" John pointed to a large elm tree with his Amprobe Meter. "Yeah! See that tree over there? I figure it is going to pull 23 amps! AND . . . I have thirteen other trees like that one! The Edison Man slowly shook his head, "Man", he said, "Twenty-three amps is a lot of current for one tree. Most trees don't use that much electricity. As a matter of fact, I have heard they have whole forests up north where the trees don't use any electricity at all. I guess they trained them trees to run on sunshine! Imagine that! Solar energy!" "Oh, imagine that !", John rolled his eyes, "Thanks for the science update!" The Edison Man winked," No problem! Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and may all your shorts be inside your pants." With that, The Edison Man returned to his truck and drove off. Late Friday afternoon, John stood near his temporary panel as he watched Warren Fitzgerald on stage. About twenty reporters were in the audience - each with a heaping plate of food on his knee. Todd rounded the shortcut corner through the oleander hedge. He stopped for a moment to speak to John, "Well, will there be a lighting ceremony or a hanging?" John smiled, " Naw, it all works. The lights WILL come on. Warren's switch on stage is a fake. I'll throw the main breaker up here when he moves the switch. I didn't have time to make that work. Other than that, it's in the bag." Todd shook John's hand, "Good work John. And . . . I am really proud that I didn't hear about a single smart remark coming out of you this past week! " "I didn't have time to think of any smart remarks! I've too been busy for the past five days and nights wiring a 400 amp lighting panel. Besides, Moore turned out to be a pretty nice guy. Doesn't know squat about electricity but a nice guy nonetheless." Todd laughed, "Too bad! I'll always be sorry I didn't get to see you on stage in an elf costume. I gotta go. I'm on next." Todd made his way through the audience to the stage. 
The moment finally arrived when Warren Fitzgerald, surrounded by his wife, Todd and all of 'Santa's Holiday Decorators', flipped the switch. John pushed the main breaker on his panel in perfect synchronization. All the trees around the hotel glowed in glorious Christmas splendor. John noticed Todd suddenly shrink two inches as he relaxed.
Bathed in the light of the Christmas decor, Warren Fitzgerald hugged his wife and shook Todd's hand. Next , Warren Fitzgerald approached the microphone and congratulated Todd for a job well done. Then he introduced his wife and all of the 'Santa's Holiday Decorator' E.L.F.'s. Raquel Fitzgerald took the microphone to thank her crew. When she introduced the foreman of 'Santa's Holiday Decorators', Moore Watts, John covered his surprised outburst by pretending to cough. "Moore Watts! How ironic!", John thought to himself, "I couldn't have made THAT up! That is absolutely perfect!" The program ended with everyone on stage holding hands while singing "Jingle Bells". The reporters were filling their coat pockets with shrimp and lobster to-go snacks from the buffet. John took an aisle seat in the back row. He crossed his legs and soaked up the scene around him. "Moore Watts . . ." , John mumbled to himself as he thought about the previous week, ". . . Thirty two thousand dollars plus another five thousand for my electrical costs . . . 'T O P S' . . . 322 Amps . . . E.L.F.'s . . . What a crazy business this is . . . " On stage, Warren Fitzgerald let go of his wife's hand for a moment. While singing, he pointed directly at John and made a 'thumbs-up' gesture with his right hand. Then he quickly grasped his wife's hand again. John quickly waved an open hand across his face in acknowledgment. He smiled as he thought again, "What a crazy business this is . . ." Doc Happy Holidays! 2004.11.28 Page: Previous 1 2 3 4 5 |
