The Nightmare of the Government Shutdown.

I try not to panic.

The house is on fire.

I go to the faucet where the water comes from.

I place my bucket under it.

I turn the water on full force.

It drips.

There must be a problem with the pipes. They’ve shut off the water.

I turn the knob back and forth, wiggle it, pound on the pipe.

Drip drip.

I run around looking for water.

The house is burning.

I call for help on the telephone.

I go to the neighbors on both sides. They have buckets under their faucets. Their faucets are dripping.

Their house is on fire. They’re running around.

I run back to my bucket. There’s a little bit of water in the bottom.

I run up and down the street, yelling.

I don’t want to leave my house. My house is burning.

I look inside every room I can reach to see if there’s any water, plastic bottles, even half empty, anything.

I run back outside, take my bucket with its little bit of water, throw the splash on the fire, run back and put it back under the faucet.

Drip drip.