Do you remember that show that had the sexy voice that always ended with 'Goodnight America wherever you are'? Well Patrick here in Dominica could give him a run for his money. So, here's the thing, local pyromaniac cuts down trees and starts a fire and then goes out. Since there's been no rain since I can't remember when, the fire is very happy and soon reaches heights of over 15 feet and carefully burns through leccy and cable tv wires. Anyway, up turns Blue Watch (who carefully connect up in Caribbean time) and soon the fire's out or is it........
Fast forward 9 hours and I'm home alone and off to bed and I can smell a lot of smoke. So I see from my balcony that the fire has reignited and is now in full swing. So, do I just ignore it or make a phone call to the neighbours and tell someone else, thus absolving myself of all responsibility....No, not so easy, Dominica is the go to bed early nation, no-one answers. (Now there's a comforting thought for a later even more urgent matter). I then wake up the Housekeeper who tells me this 7 digit number to ring for the fire brigade - what happened to good old 999? Anyway, here begins my midnight caller moment.
Good Evening, Roseau Fire Station.
Umm, you know the fire you came to today well it isn't really out.
What do you mean?
Well it's still on fire.
Go and check it for me.
What do you mean - go and check it? I can see it from here I am not going anywhere in my PJ's, with my kids in bed.
Well, what does it look like?
A fire, sort of fire-ish and red-ish and basically flame-ish.
(Clearly not on the first page of the regulation Fire Manual then)
How tall are the flames?
I can't really tell but sort of high-ish and worth checking-ish. (I'm loosing my nerve now). Anyway, I'm not asking you to 'der der der der der der' (fire engine sound ok) all the way up here, just maybe pop in your car and have a look......(I realise now I'm sounding girly and pitiful and should just give up)
Well maybe you could check it every hour or so for us?
WHAT?!
Well I could ring you or you could ring me and you could let me know how it is.
But I'm going to bed.....Anyway, I think I've done my duty so what's your name? (long pause - no-one likes this question unless they're in a bar I guess, maybe)
Well, what's your name? (Ah, checkmate)
(So, we both exchange names and both feel on an even keel now I guess)
Anyway, (I say purposefully), I'm off to bed and I just wanted you to know because I don't want my village to burn down....
Ok, but you ring me back when you want.
Umm, ok......
