After the traditional lighting of an effigagy fireworks were handed out. A fun display of wanton reckless abandon that we do. To get a good shot I went underneath someone as they were using a firework, they asked me if I thought I would be safer else where. I replied "Im good." After the firework narrowly avoided my face I moved.
Then the police showed up. The officer asked everyone to settle down and listen to him. It was a big group, so I told everyone to be quiet while he spoke.
He said that the "illegal" bonfire and fireworks where enough to cite us all a hefty fine. He, however, would wave it all if we cleared out in 60 seconds and put the fire out.
Everyone went back to talking and chatting, standing in place. I looked at the cop, then I looked at the crowd, back at the cop, and so on for about 10 seconds.
"Hey, you guys need to get out of here or else this cop is going to give us all a $200 fine!" I yelled.
Then, and only then, in its simplicity did people catch on to what was happening and started to leave. I grabbed the trash of firework boxes and ran them to the trash as other people headed to the parking lot. We start grabbing sand and throwing it on the fire. The cop doesn't like that, he wants us to use water. Water, of course, comes from the ocean. For that someone went to get the bucket. More on that in a second.
I stand off the beach in the lot looking back at the fire. I can see its still burning and others are standing there talking to the cop. I decide to run back and check it out and make sure everything is ok.
As I am running back I see a girl, and she is flirting with some guy midway. I think to myself, thats weird-why not go back to the parking lot? Then I think nothing more of it till I get back to the fire.
"Where is the bucket?" I ask.
"(INSERT NAME) went to go get it." Someone responds.
"I passed her flirting with some guy on my way here."
"(INSERT NAME) GET OVER HERE!" They all yell.
The cop was nice enough, and patient with us. Probably because we were the only people on the beach who were not drunk. Anyway, she gets there with the bucket, somewhat exhausted, and states she will not be going to the ocean.
Now, I have been to these beach bonfires before and keep learning circular lessons which cancel each other out. Don't wear nice clothes because sand wears them out, the ocean gets them wet, and they smell like bonfire for weeks. Then if I wear "grungy" clothes I look like a serial killer. I guess I don't have moderate clothing. That day I decided to wear my best jeans, my best shirt, and my favorite shoes-a pair of New Balance running shoes that are black, grey, and orange. I also had my expensive camera with me in its bag.
"I'll do!" I declare without a thought.
I grab the bucket and run out toward the water. After running for awhile I realize that its low tide, meaning I have to go far out there to get to where its deep enough to fill up the bucket. I stop to take off my shoes, roll up my pants, and then I tie the laces and fling them around my neck like a scarf or a necklace. I go out into the water hoping my pants stay dry.
I throw the bucket down as the tide goes out, the exiting water begins to fill the bucket and the strong tide forces me to keep a hand on it. As I wait I see a spot of orange in the water. Then I think, that spot of orange looks familiar, and its in the shape of an N. An N like a New Balance logo. And as the N bobs up and down in the water I realize its attached to a shoe, my shoe. My shoe fell in the water.
With the hand not on the bucket I make my way for the shoe. Suddenly I feel my camera bag slide its way across my back. It dangles over the water, barely missing the top. I panic. I twist. The current gets stronger, and its pulling the bucket away from me. The tide grabs my shoe, and pulls it away from me. I can't lose either, so I twist and grab my shoe and pull myself up with the bucket.
I run all the way back to the fire. I see the cop, and without thinking, standing up wind, I through the water on to the fire. I feel hot steam blow out of the fire and across my upper torso, my flesh burning. My reward.
Guy Fawkes, I now get why they burn you every year you stinking jerk. Yes I will remember, remember, the fifth of November, as it was on the observed on the second.
Names and specifics have been left out for peoples privacy and safety. Also there is some slight exaggeration in the story, and by not using names people cannot call me out as easily.
