Spare some change?

The morning of March 16, I paid a visit to your beautiful IU campus. With spring break in full swing I thought this would be a great opportunity to check out some of the facilities the main library has to offer.

I had recently learned that as an Indiana resident I am allowed access to the campus library collections.

When I arrived and parked by the meters, I found I had no coins with which to feed the meter. Two parking enforcement officers stood only a few spaces away, and doubtlessly watched me turn my pockets inside out and my vehicle upside down searching for some change.

Frustrated, I remembered there was a change machine only a few feet inside the door to the Cyber Cafe and I figured with them busily writing tickets, I could easily run to the change machine and be back with some quarters before they needed to move on.

In my native Hoosier naivety, I turned and said to the parking attendants, “Excuse me sir, could I possibly run inside for 2 seconds to get change for the meter?”

Officer 154, as he later designated himself to me, stood stoically for about 10 seconds, his eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses revealing nothing. He finally said, “Yes. After you pay the meter.”

To be sure we understood one another I asked again, “So, I have to feed the meter in order to run in and get change to feed the meter?”

I am ever impressed to find that every time a person has a chance to show the smallest bit of kindness to a stranger, they do everything in their power to trample all over that opportunity.

Of course, he had a very valid reason for being so inflexible in his enforcement of the rules. It is that same reason that makes the world such a wonderful place to live and that throughout history has given motivation and relief from guilt to the most heinous of people to the most benign.

The reason? “I am just doing my job.”

To be sure, ruthlessness and officiousness is alive and well.
 
Bob Wilmoth
Bloomington