This
happened early in the double zero decade. I’m guessing around 2003. And it was
around Christmas, because my tree & decorations were up.
I switched
on the hall light downstairs. To my horror, smoke began streaming from it! Instantly
I switched it off.
In a panic I
grabbed the phone book and chose an electrician at random. I don’t even
remember which one.
The
electrician told me he’d be right over, but it would cost me $70. -- This was a
lot to pay for an electrician back then, but a bargain price these days!
Fearing my home was ready to go up in flames, I said YES!
As I waited,
I wondered how perilous a situation this was; after all, he didn’t tell me to
leave the house immediately, and to run next door to phone the fire dept.
I picked up
my huge hurricane light and examined the wall for scorching. Thankfully, there
was none. Then I heard my doorbell ring.
Upon opening,
I was startled to discover 6 or 7 men in their 20’s standing there!
“You have a
smoking light switch?” inquired the one in front.
I nodded.
One by one
they paraded into my house. I figured this must be an emergency or why else
would they send a team.
However,
only the one who spoke worked on the light switch. All the others just stood
around silently and watched.
The switch was
repaired in a jiffy. He turned it on to show me.
Now, I
wanted this group of strangers out of my home quickly as possible since I could
see no reason for them being there in the first place, and their presence made
me uncomfortable.
To
facilitate this, I asked the guy who fixed it if he could mail me the bill.
“No problem,”
he replied. “We have your name and address.”
I watched as
one by one, this large group paraded out of my home. I felt relieved to see them
go.
And to my
surprise, I never received a bill.
