7.28.2009

always go out with a bang

Sunday was the last day Nativity House was open before our summer break. We close for 2 weeks in the summer to make up for the holidays we work throughout the year without holiday pay. Also, it serves as a transition time between the current Lutherine and Jesuit Volunteers and the new group of volunteers.
So Sunday, about a hour before closing time, I was sitting playing cards with some guests when the fire department showed up. This isn't such an abnormal occurance, so i didn't think too much of it. Next thing I know I hear loud banging. I turn around and the firefighters are trying to get into the bathroom (as a preface, we have 4 single occupance bathrooms for our guests that are built completely into the cement structure). Each bathroom has a key, so we can get into the bathrooms in the case of an emergency, so i was confused as to what was going on. As it turns out, a guest had gotten locked inside the bathroom and called the 911 to help get her out. First they try our key, no luck. Then they move on to a crowbar, still no luck. Next thing i know, they've got the jaws of life out, trying to pry open the stuck door. Still no luck. At this point, the firefighters have been there for about 15 minutes and everybody is completly entranced in what is going on. Finally they get a sledge hammer. After 5 or 6 blows, the door comes slamming open and the crowd goes wild. The woman inside ran past the firefighters and out the doors. We later learned that she is clautrophobic.