Human Zoo: Tire Gauges Part II
Bicycles.
Growing up we had two Fillin' Stations. I spent more time at the Esso station than the Texaco across the street.
Texaco were mean old men, did not want me to mow their grass, and wouldnt' save ball bearings for me to use with my slingshot. I was at the Texaco anyway, kid comes in with his bike and asks he may borrow a tire gauge "please mister please?"
Grumpy makes a sarcastic comment : "Just air it up until it blows, then back off a little".
Kid about 9 just looks at this grumpy old guy. Grumpy guy " oh move out of the way, let me show you - don't need a gauge". Pssssssss.....Psssssss.....BOOM!
Kid is crying, goes into office and hell hath no fury like a momma whose kid has a busted tube! Just a shaking that finger.
I being me,
"Mom - going to Otasco...oh yeah gonna ride not hitchhike, I'll be back when I return" . I go to Otasco, install new tube bought by Grumpy's money with kid and his mom. I was the neighborhood bike "fixer upper".
Esso. I liked these guys, I got to mow the grass, sickle the weeds, and ball bearing removed had my name on them for my slingshot.
New girl in the neighborhood, Granddad visiting, new bike. "Yes honey, it is a special B-day indeed, won't be long the training wheels will be coming off I am sure. Let Grandpa air these tires and we are all set. Grandpa used to work at a Filling station when he was young...
....Psssss.....Psssss....BOOM!
Grandpa!!!
" I forgot, Grandma said to remind you to use this".
Me... "Yeah mom, going to Otasco, be back when I get back"
So I offer and offer accepted to show Grandpa where the Otasco is. WE do the new tube at the Esso station. Granddaughter gets soda, candy bars and a silver dollar to NOT tell Grandma.
I see this kid and weaving down the street next day. Grandpa out of breath trying to keep up ..."Told Grandma thought it might be a good idea to buy a Bike Pump , reason it took so long yesterday...cost me a silver quarter to keep Granddaughter quiet at supper last night too...".
I was a "regular" at Otasco, guns, ammo,bikes, bike stuff...etc., and like the Esso station- they too saved me the Red rubber inner-tubes which I made slingshots with.
I'd come home smelling like Esso or Otasco, mom could tell the difference somehow.
"I see you found more red rubber..."
< screen door slams shut>
I was out the door headed to the shop to make another one..."
"Better not be using my good scissors - again"
ooops....
Oh one of my 'duties" at Esso and Otasco, if a flat was being fixed, my place to strike the match and light the glue....
I turned all right no matter what some folks may think...
