UNDER ATTACK BY A “COKE” PILE

It all happened about mid morning, while everyone was busy. Unbeknownst to us, the Kuwaitis had rolled in, one of their tanks. They moved it up close to our offices. Then drew bead on a pile of coke that had built up around a wellhead fire, that was across the road from us. Without any announcement they let go with a soul crushing, mind numbing blast that shook the office too the very core. Crap was falling down from the ceilings. The water coolers were tipped over. Anything you were holding at that time went flying. In a heartbeat 50 calm cool professionals were under desks, tables, or in closets. Virtually, anywhere else you could find to hide, within one leap.

Silence ensued. Little by little a head would pop out and someone would inquire, “what was that” or “we’re under attack stay down” or “hey boss you wanna go out and see what’s happening” that accompanied by nervous laughter. I for one was petrified. So there we were all peering out from under desks, waiting for an invasion. When the side door to our office opens and a grizzled old firefighter sticks his head in. He says, “sorry ladies we forgot to tell you we were removing a coke pile this morning”! Maybe they forgot or maybe they thought we needed a little action to keep the ol’ tickers, ticking. It can be assumed that a lot of “manpers” were used that morning.