Love, Life, And A Rock Quarry
Charlie’s Horses • If You Meet An Old Man On A Park Bench Someday
Three Line Conversations
Charlie’s Horses
“He said it would be a show about three beautiful private detective horses.”
“With a boss they never see?”
“That sounds strangely familiar.”
Other Stuff
If You Meet An Old Man On A Park Bench Someday
When I get to be an older man and can no longer work, I plan to sit on a park bench and write in a journal.
And when curious people ask me what I am writing, I will say, “An interesting story from your life.”
Once the surprise has worn off, they will think about it and then tell me a story.
I will pretend to write it down, but really won’t because I can’t write as fast as people talk. Instead, I will write their name, and This is one of my stories.
Then, after a minute, I will stop the charade of writing altogether and just listen. By then, they won’t notice or care because someone is interested in their story.
When they finish, I will hand them the journal and say, “I couldn’t keep up. Would you mind taking this book home and writing your story and then bringing the book back tomorrow?”
I will get to hear some beautiful stories and make some new friends who might bring me donuts once in a while.
And I will probably wear a sweater.
Serial Story
Love, Life, And A Rock Quarry
An uncommon tale
Part 1
Rock Quarry, Michigan, is best known for the massive rock quarry at the edge of town. Most townfolk are satisfied that the town was named after the quarry. But Oldman Cardigan, the local historian — due to the fact that he is the oldest person in town — says Rock Quarry was named Rock Quarry long before there was a rock quarry. People don’t pay Oldman much heed.
Anyway, it seems that people eventually lost their desire for fresh rocks, and the quarry closed. It became nothing more than an enormous empty hole in the ground and sat that way for five years. The town council even considered changing the town’s name. Oldman was opposed. In no uncertain terms, he let the town council know his opinion on the matter.
“This town was named Rock Quarry before there was a quarry. It is tom-foolery to change the name now. You would have to change both town signs. And you can bet those folks in Lansing ain’t gonna want to print all new state maps to accommodate your folly,” he said.
He had a point. The town remained Rock Quarry.
Swimvest Treadwell grew up in Rock Quarry. As a boy, he dreamed of working in the quarry. There was something about it that fascinated him. When the quarry closed, Swimvest — who was 17 at the time — was devastated. He decided right then he would buy the quarry and bring it back to life. Five years later, he took the first step toward that dream and bought the empty rock quarry. Not because he wanted to quarry rock. No sir. He bought it because he wanted to fill the bottom with water and jump in.
Well, that was the first thing he planned to do with the quarry. He had other, bigger plans as well. Buying the quarry wasn’t hard. The company that owned it was happy to be rid of it and promptly accepted Swimvest’s meager offer. It was the best day of young Swimvest’s life.
As soon as he signed the papers, making him the legal owner of the quarry, he went online and ordered fire hoses. He needed to fill the quarry with water, and rain wasn’t getting it done. He would need help from the town water tower, hopefully without the town knowing about it.
On the second day of second-day shipping, when the first shipment of hoses arrived, Swimvest began connecting them and laying them in the woods surrounding the quarry. Once the hoses were in place, he covered them with dirt and leaves. Each payday, he ordered another box of hoses.
This hose-laying procedure continued until he reached the edge of the forest that surrounded the quarry. From there, he would have to work under the cover of darkness, digging a trench to bury the hose in. If a local discovered his plan, he would be forced to explain his intentions and would face mockery or worse. They would likely force him to pay for the water he needed — something he couldn’t afford.
Swimvest worked part-time at the local pizza place, Pizza Rock. Swimvest’s parents had died in a tragic car accident, and he had already spent a big chunk of the life insurance money he received on buying the quarry. He intended to reimburse the town anonymously for the water once he attained his fortune, but at the moment, he needed free water. He planned to dig to the closest fire hydrant and tap into the town water supply. It seemed like his only option.
The following day, Swimvest heard a knock on his door. Swimvest lived in his parent’s old house and didn’t have many friends. Most young people left town right after high school. Only farmer’s sons stuck around to eventually take over the family farm. The lucky ones married their high school sweethearts before they could get away.
Someone knocked on the door again. Swimvest opened it slowly, peeking out as he did. It was Lester Carrier, the mailman.
“Hey Swim, you been getting a lot of heavy packages lately. All the same size. I have to admit my curiosity has gotten the best of me. Do you mind me asking what’s in them?” Lester asked as he handed Swimvest another box of fire hoses.
Not accustomed to creating fiction on the spot, Swimvest said, “Uh.”
“Never mind, then. It’s plain you don’t want to tell me. Ain’t my business, no how. I just deliver the packages. I don’t need to know what’s in them. It is a curious thing, though. So many boxes exactly the same and so heavy. Makes a fellow wonder.”
Lester’s rambling response gave Swimvest time to think of an answer.
“They’re just supplies for the quarry. You know I bought it, right?”
“Of course. Everyone in Rock Quarry knows. How are you planning to operate a quarry by yourself? You gonna hire help?”
“No. I don’t plan to mine it. I have a different plan for it. A surprise.”
“Is that a fact? What kind of surprise?”
“Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if told you. Would it?”
“I suppose not. All right then, have a good one.”
Snoopy busybody, Swimvest thought as he closed the door.
Continues next week.
Happy Monday. Thanks for reading and responding. You make it fun.
Mark
One episode of "The Flintstones" involves a film actor named Rock Quarry who, under an assumed name, tries to live a normal life. Then, when he says who he really is, no one believes him...
I don't suspect the town was named for him...
"If You Meet An Old Man On A Park Bench Someday" hit me in the heart , for some reason. 💚