Epiphany exercixe

          I thought on these things as I walked back toward City Hall. The Thompson family turned into the parking lot at the funeral home. Should I go and offer my condolences, or should I wait until the official viewing and greet the family? Then a sudden inspiration came to me. I headed straight for the car as Eva Thompson stepped out.

Mort goes to a lot of trouble calling people to interest them in the funeral in hopes of getting a lot of traffic in town on the day of the funeral so the traffic counter will reflect a need for the traffic light.

         Hello, Mayor,” a voice behind me said. I turned to see Cecil Chancellor.

         “Why, Mr. Chancellor. How nice to see you,” I said. That answered one question: We picked the right day. “Won’t you sit down with me and have a cup of coffee?”

          “Yes, I will. I ordered breakfast already. I like to get the counters placed early. As you pointed out the other day, the traffic need is greatest during the early morning and last afternoon.” He indicated a need to wash his hands and I sat down. By the time he got back, Geordie came with the plates.

          “So you’ve already placed the counter?” I said. I was sorry I hadn’t researched traffic counters, their accuracy, and their impact.
“Yes. I put one just the other side of City Hall and another by the school. That should give us a good estimate of the cross traffic.”

Realization

          Suddenly, I realized what I should have understood in the beginning. The traffic from the funeral will not affect either of the counters. Only those going to the dinner at the Methodist Church will cross one of them. Mr. Chancellor looked at me quizzically as I bolted down the remainder of my breakfast. I had to figure out new plan. Back at City Hall, I called George Holder at the welding shop.