i can't complain, really. what with only having to leave the guardhouse every thirty minutes I get a lot of reading done. and you meet a lot of people. there always seems to be someone trying to cross. haven't you read the sign, I say. no crossing.
people always seem understanding when I turn them back, but they do still keep trying. there's always someone new having a go at it. i work hard and make sure I'm there looking out every half an hour on the dot. I'm sorry madam it's just my job. it's the rules. got to have rules. sometimes they'll make a bit of a scene, plead a bit, stamp their feet or the like. but their heart isn't in it. they know they've got to follow the rules. my commanding presence helps them along.
now I'm only human. it does feel a bit cruel sometimes. these people, sometimes they have everything they own on them. sometimes they bring their kids. all they want to do is get to the other side of the bridge that takes exactly one hour to cross. and I have to look them in the eye and tell them they can't.
one of these days I'm going to let one of them pass. one of these days I'll walk the whole rest of the way with them. I'll make sure they get where they want to go.
