While enjoying a relaxing evening with friends and family last night, the fire alarm at the apartment building opposite Micah's was tripped. For you to understand the effect this has on a large apartment building, you must first know that the smoke detectors and alarms are linked together, so the ear-splitting alarm sounds inside each apartment, and emergency lights flash in the outside hallways and along the stairs. This turn of events spurred residents to first wave towels and other implements at their smoke detectors, then to step out onto their porches, and at last to exit their apartments, complete with half-awake, bathrobe-attired children. A bit later, the San Antonio Fire Department arrived, and my children excitedly dashed out onto Micah's third-story porch to observe the goings-on. The firemen spent their time exclusively tinkering in the fire alarm closet. Having confirmed a false alarm or perhaps fixed some crossed wires, they drove away, leaving everything in a peaceful state once more.
