My dad is disappointed in me. He considers it outrageous to have lived in Philadelphia for 3 months now and still I have not visited THE liberty bell (to further my shame, it is free of charge). So naturally, being the eager-to-please daughter I am, I decided to buy him his own mini liberty bell for Christmas so that he could visit it everyday if he wanted (added bonus: it's functional). Perhaps it would only burden his mind to know that I have actually semi-visited the infamous Liberty Bell on 5th & Independence. You see, the bell is enclosed within a beautiful building, a glass building in which you can view it from the outside. The first time I just happened to realize I was passing it while perusing the many downtown coffee shops. But the second time, I intentionally visited it!.... From the outside.
Here is the story of how it all came to be and the interesting events that followed....
The day before New Years a dear friend from college let me know that she was going to be in town (in city?) for the upcoming festivities and could she visit? Before I knew it my little one was in my arms, chatting away in an English accent (our favorite past time). What to do? Well, we had limited time available before we were to report to our official happy hour/$1 taco restaurant so we chose to take a walk and see where we ended up. And, you guessed it, we found ourselves standing behind the wrought iron fence admiring the Liberty Bell (minded, they seemed to have turned the cracked section inwards so you HAVE to go inside to see it). So we stood there, imagining the destruction. Who broke it? How did it come to be about? After about 3 minutes we felt satisfied and turned our attention to the busy street beyond us and the many tourists.
Oddly enough, I noticed again the odd looking figures in black who always stood at the corners of this street. I wondered aloud and we decided to go ask one of them why there were always positioned so. We confidently approached the large man, recognizing his golden badge, and realized they were guards. Guards? For what? Surely, our city does not pay men to stand outside of a large mass of (broken) metal?
(Emily and I approaching closest security guard. I look first at what I assume is a police badge but actually says "security officer").
"Hi, can I ask you a question?"
He says: "Sure."
I say: "Why are there security guards always standing on this corner?"
He answers my question with a question, which at the time I did not seem to appreciate.
"What happened on 9/11?" *with sass
I pretend that I don't know and remain silent because it feels like a rhetorical question.
Emily, being the faithful student she is, squeaks out a response...
"Um, the twin towers were destroyed?"
He says: "And who destroyed them".
Oh golly, not another one.
Emily says: "Um, terrorists?"
He says: "YES. And where are we right now?"
Enough with the question answers! I think.
Both of us: "The Liberty Bell."
He says: "Do you know what that building is over there?"
(He points to what looks like a fancy, historic building)
I say: "I don't know."
(look of shock on officer)
He responds:
"The Constitution was signed in that building! And we have to make sure that no bomber comes around here expecting to blow up these monuments. That's my job. Because once they're gone, they're gone."
I sneakily look him up and down.
He doesn't necessarily look ready and able to pounce on a suspect.
He continues:
"Imagine someone walks by with a big bag of explosives and throws it in the window. We gotta be ready!"
First thought: He is very passionate about his job.
Second thought: Even if that were to happen, how would he stop it?
I speak my mind aloud.
He answers: "You gotta prevent it by looking for suspects!"
I ask: "And what kind of profile are you looking for?"
Apparently, this was the right question to ask because for the next 5 minutes he speaks of what kind of human could potentially be a terrorist.
The storm:
"Any old shmuck could be a terrorist. Someone whose depressed or just broke up with their girlfriend and they decide to do something crazy. Or, ya know, a man comes up to you and asks you to carry in a large bag and he'll give you a million dollars. Would you do it? Well, most people would do it. Where you both from? See how easy it was to get that information from you? Or say you just met a muslim friend and they go out to dinner with you and they eat pork. Well, they're probably just trying to throw you off. Or take you two for example. You could be distractin me while someone else puts bombs in the back. It could be anyone, anyone."
Ok, he's got a point, I think, but I'm especially confused about the pork comment.
I move onto my next question: "So do you like working outside?"
He says: "I like protecting our country."
I say: "You must get pretty cold in these Philly winters then."
"Nope, nope not at all. Look at this coat. It's a big coat. And what's this?"
(He pulls out what looks like a mini remote control).
And again, pre-doctor Emily responds "It's a control for heating." Show off.
I laugh inside. Ok, that's just plain awesome.
"It keeps me warm ALL day and night. And look at these boots. We call 'em our Mickey Mouse boots because they look like his shoes." (He pulls up his pant leg a few inches so we can get a better view and indeed, they are the biggest, clunkiest, black boots I have ever seen in my life).
But unfortunately, Emily and I did not have Mickey Mouse boots and had to depart early from our "heated" discussion. Ok, so this wasn't the best story ever. I'll admit that. But tonight, I will rest assured that the liberty bell is safe and sound and that tomorrow it will still be around if I choose to actually visit it. And look at me, I still have 12 minutes before day two....
La Loba
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