The Stoplight (a short story of a small town)

Next to a restless sea there sat a peaceful village. On that cold February morning nothing was stirring. No one was fishing in the sea, no children were playing catch in the streets, no one was walking down the sidewalks. A thin veil of mist floated up from the sea like a blanket moving to cover a sleeping child. Outside the town hall a slick covering of ice gathered on the sidewalk. Everything was calm. Yet inside his office, Mayor Howard was feeling anything but peaceful.

The fat mayor was covered in a thin sheen of sweat. All day long, he had been arguing. The school wanted more chalk, the library wanted more books, Mrs. Flemin wanted to let her dog run loose, and nobody wanted to pay parking fines. What about the mayor? He wanted to go home, and have a drink. Howard looked at the clock, 4:45 only fifteen minutes to go. How many more people could come and bother him in fifteen minutes?

A noise behind him made Howard jump.

“Howard,” snapped a woman’s voice, “We need to talk.”

Howard turned around in his chair, praying that it wouldn’t be her. He groaned inwardly at the sight of the wisps of silver gold hair and her glare that moved mountains. Of all people to bother him today, why did it have to be Councilwoman Nora Gladhand? Howard put a false smile on.

“Good afternoon, Councilwoman. Please have a seat.”

She walked over to his desk with a quick lively step, and sat down across from him, her eyes constantly shifting.

“How may I help you today?” asked Howard.

“Well you can start by giving me an example of a traffic problem,” said Nora.

“What kind of traffic problem?” asked Howard, in the patient voice he used with angry citizens.

Nora always took forever to make her point, and she was never satisfied with
anything the mayor’s office did.

“That’s exactly my point,” she said and started up with her thin tapping fingers. “There are no traffic problems in this city.”

Howard scratched his balding head.

“Get to the point!” he wanted to scream, but he continued to be patient.

He had learned long ago that people have to tell their story the way they want to.

“You talk about fixing traffic problems,” Nora snapped, “But you are the one creating them. You just want to turn our quaint little town into a concrete jungle!”

“Miss Gladhand, we’re very short on time today, could you please tell me your problem so I can give an answer.

Nora was silent for a moment. Outside, Howard could hear a storm brewing. Waves were breaking against the shore. Finally Nora spoke.

“Come to the window Howe,” she beckoned.

Howard stood up and shuffled to the window.

“What do you see?” asked Nora in a cold voice.

“The town,” replied Howard with a sigh.

It was 5:13. He could have been home by now.

“Where do you plan to put the stoplight?” asked Nora.

Howard pointed with his short stubby fingers.

“Look!” exclaimed Nora, “There isn’t a single car at that intersection. Our town has never had a traffic light before and we don’t need one now!”

Jagged slashes of lightning lit up the sky. Howard couldn’t believe it. If he had been able to go home at five, he wouldn’t have to worry about being caught in the storm. Howard could put up with a lot without getting angry, but when people pushed him too far, he turned into a ferocious bear of a man. He swallowed his anger, though, like a good mayor.

“There have been three accidents at that intersection in the past month,” he said in a shaking voice. We need that traffic light.”

“Well I think it’s disgraceful!” spat Nora.

Howard’s face twisted in rage.

“We are going to put that stoplight in whether you like it or not!” he shouted, “Now get out!”

Nora looked stricken, but she composed herself, stood up, and left the room without another word. A few minutes later, Howard did the same.

As he let his thick, meaty legs carry him home. Howard felt the rain against his face. He was caught in a storm, and would be soaked when he got home, but he didn’t care. It was better that the storm he had just escaped. Despite the storm, being outside was a relief, and the village was so peaceful.