“Phineas, would you like to take a trip with me to pick up some paintings by Laurie Bridgforth for my art book?”
“Sure, as long as we can go to V-Square for a beer,” Phineas replied.
“That red truck was blowing black soot for a few blocks. “He’s now heading down Cork Street,” I shouted.
“Wait for more smoke coming from the dual candy cane exhaust pipes at the back of his car as he climbs the hill,” Phineas replied.
“Here she comes. I can barely see ahead now.
“I can’t tell what the numbers are on his license plate, just that he’s from West Virginia.”
“He is now heading towards Braddock Street emitting more black, foul-smelling diesel fumes.”
“I assume there are large particles in the diesel exhaust,” Phineas noted.
“Oh great, look at what’s approaching Cork Street.”
“Another smoke bomber. That black truck has been in more than two accidents.
“Great,” I said, “now he’s heading toward Indian Alley, right where we’re headed.”
“Lord, what a black cloud he is dragging.”
“I’ll stop here and let the smoke dissipate a little. I can’t see Wolfe Street.
“At least we can see Lori’s parking lot. That’s where we’re going, right?”
“Yes. This should only take a few minutes.”
Back to the diesel smoke monsters. The black truck also had double candy canes, but all I could see was another West Virginia dish.
“I need to contact the city council and investigate whether contacting them would be of any value.”
“Do you mean to report it to the police to stop the polluters? Are there any laws on the books to enforce exhaust inspection and correct the problem?” Phineas asked.
“When I lived in Delaware, the annual vehicle inspection required an exhaust test, not just a brake and headlight test,” I said as I pulled into a parking space.
“Winchester better implement exhaust standards. Air quality has been an issue for many years due to the old O’Sullivan plant on Valley Avenue.
“I remember a few years ago the Blue Ridge Youth Soccer Association was advising coaches to limit soccer practice on certain days with poor air quality,” I said as we walked into the studio.
Phineas helped me load the plates into my Highlander. “Poor air quality in Winchester due to invisible gases is one thing, but do you remember the amount of smog there was a few weeks ago due to the Canadian wildfires?”
“Yes. The particles were off the chart,” I replied.
“It was a real challenge to wash that crud out of my car.”
I took my ticket and entered the parking garage. We went out and cranked it up to V-Square at 90 degrees. “Very humid today. I would like it to rain for a few days.”
Phineas held the back door for me, and we entered the wonderful restaurant. We went up to the bar, “That’s the smell I like. Grilling a steak in the kitchen.”
“Cheers.”
Greg Kujala is a Winchester resident.
