Chapter 2: The Woman With the Megaphone
Marcus ran toward the house.
The homeowner, an elderly man named Walter Bennett, was found in a back bedroom, frightened and coughing but conscious. Two firefighters brought him outside while another crew worked on the flames.
Gloria watched from the curb.
For several minutes, she said nothing.
Then the red megaphone crackled again.
“ATTENTION! EMERGENCY VEHICLE VIOLATION!”
Marcus closed his eyes.
Walter, sitting on the ambulance step with an oxygen mask nearby, looked toward the sound.
“Who is that?”
“Apparently,” Marcus said, “the neighborhood traffic commander.”
Gloria marched closer.
She had apparently written several rules on index cards. She held them in one hand while keeping the megaphone in the other.
“Rule seventeen,” she announced. “No commercial vehicle may remain parked in front of a residential property without permission.”
Marcus looked at the burning roof.
“Gloria, this isn’t a commercial vehicle.”
“It has wheels. It is a vehicle.”
“It’s a fire engine.”
“I understand what it says on the side.”
“Then you understand why it needs to be here.”
She ignored him.
Instead, she turned toward several neighbors who had gathered behind the police barricade.
“You all know I have been trying to keep this street organized!”
Nobody answered.
An older man finally said, “Gloria, someone’s house is burning.”
“I am aware.”
“You’re arguing with firefighters.”
“I am correcting them.”
Marcus watched her carefully.
He had dealt with angry homeowners, frightened residents, confused bystanders and people who panicked during emergencies.
Gloria was different.
She wasn’t panicking.
She genuinely believed she had authority.
Then the homeowner, Walter, removed the oxygen mask long enough to speak.
“Ma’am,” he said weakly, “that’s my house.”
Gloria turned toward him.
Walter pointed at the smoke.
“If they move the truck, my house burns faster.”
The street became quiet.
Gloria’s mouth opened.
For a moment, Marcus expected her to back down.
Instead, she raised the megaphone.
“Then they should have arrived sooner.”
Marcus stared at her.
The firefighters stopped what they were doing for half a second.
And Gloria’s next announcement was aimed not at the fire department, but at everyone watching.
“THIS STREET NEEDS BETTER ENFORCEMENT.”
Marcus realized something.
The fire was no longer the only problem on the block.
