The British Space Programme

I have witnesses.

I was pushing down a narrow passageway between tables. There was just enough room for me to get by. People looked up and saw me coming and all were worried that I wouldn't have room to get by.

No one moved a table to the side.

No one moved a chair out of my way.

No one moved a coat hanging off thier chair.

No one moved a trolley out of the way.

No one created even an inch more space.

What they did was, and remember, I have witnesses.

The first diner I passed moved his plate about an inch to the left.

The second diner I passed moved her glass about an inch to the right.

The third diner I passed moved the chips on his plate closer over to the meat.

The fourth diner I passed moved his tea pot over to the other side of the table.

It was as if it was scripted.

I got by and into a larger area by the elevator and burst out laughing. Eileen who was walking behind me, joined me in laughing gasping out, "I can't believe what I've just seen."

Still, days later, I find myself laughing at the intensity with which they did what they did. So, though I didn't get any extra space, I did get a mental image that's been amusing me for days.

And that, I as it turned out, really have needed.