They stretched from the sidewalk into the street and halfway down the block, jockeying for a better view of whatever the police car was pointing at. A businessman wedged himself in far enough to see the door to his building, but found that with his overstuffed briefcase clutched in his hand he could go no farther. To no one in particular, he said, “What’s going on?”
“A lady collapsed.”
Other than being black, the man beside him was also obviously homeless. Or simply the most dedicated method actor ever to walk the earth. Being that it was L.A., the chances were good for either. “How do you know that when you’re all the way back here?”
“I was right there in my alley when it happened,” the man pointed. “When they saw me, they made me come out and go around.”
More cars came in, and soon barriers were put up. Not merely in front of the crowd, but in a way that everyone had to move back. The two men shuffled their feet when they felt themselves being pushed from the front.
“Today of all days,” the businessman said. “How long has it been going on? I have a meeting first thing this morning!”
“She hit her head. It looked pretty bad. Still no ambulance, though.”
Soon, a siren came building from the street behind, hands pointing when the accompanying lights came into view. The people closest winced at the sound, but didn’t have the sense to cover their ears.
“Finally,” the businessman said. “I can still make it.”
“You got real heart, buddy. This meeting so important, you shoulda got to work early.”
“I am early. I always arrive early. Before anyone.”
“Well, calm your tits then. If you ain’t there, ain’t nobody else neither.”