Saint Fletcher the Obscure

[Greg Burnham]

Thanks Bernice. I remember the first time I went into the "pillbox" beneath the manhole cover on Elm. I am nearly 6 feet in height, but it wasn't uncomfortable. Sure a bit tight, but not too bad at all. The manhole cover was made of some type of heavy plastic material and was fairly easy to lift and remove. I did some experiments with Scott Myers who was on the street. We also went to the Trinity River where the sewer system eventually leads for escape. I remember that we had to go back there late that night for something. After we were done I was hungry. So we stopped at a small convenience (7-11 type) store right around the corner. I went in and asked if the attendants would mind microwaving a burger or hotdog for me. They said, "No problem" and they then proceeded to place 2 hotdogs in buns into the microwave but without removing the aluminum foil type of wrapping first! I tried to warn them about it, but they looked at me as though I had a third ear attached to the front of my face and proceeded to put the food in anyway as they laughed at my concern. They stopped laughing when the contents burst into flame and the window(s) of the microwave broke and "popped" out, expelling flaming chunks from within and catching fire to items that were on the counter! The plastic part of the exterior of the microwave was beginning to burn as well. Then, one of them brought water and was about to toss it into the microwave oven through the missing "window" while it was still running to put out the fire. Instead of verbally cautioning them against that (since it hadn't deterred them last time) I leaped over the counter to stop him and pulled the plug from the wall, grabbed the fire extinguisher and put out the fire that was rapidly spreading! Oh my God! After it was over they asked me if I wanted something else to eat (cold) as it would be "on the house" this time. I said, "No thanks, lost my appetite" -- and left. "Good times...good times!"

This past November I noticed that the manhole cover has been replaced with a very heavy metal cover that appeared to be welded down.