Last night, State Rep. Tyler Olson went canvassing with Art (thanks, Tyler!), so I have no door-knocking stories to relate. Instead, I’ll share how I spent a chunk of my day- single-handedly implementing Operation Covert Retrieval….
It all started innocently enough with a phone call Art received Saturday. A supporter called to say, “Good Luck” and to ask for an Obama yard sign to complement the Art Staed sign already decorating his yard. I must confess to mild surprise when I heard Art say, “Sure, I’ll get you one” as I knew these signs were getting harder and harder to find. In fact, we had already given ours away – twice. Art mulled it over for quite a while but just when I started to lose faith in him, he came up with The Plan.
Remembering that police volunteers conduct a sweep of the city several times a year (picking up realtors signs and yard signs illegally placed in the parkway or too close to the street), Art suggested I make a visit to the police station.
Monday arrived and at precisely 1500 hours, I jumped into the ArtStaedMobile. For this imperative undercover work, I was wearing not one, but two “Art Staed” stickers thinking this sufficiently disguised me as campaign worker. But during the 15 minute drive over to headquarters, I wrestled with my conscience. Should I confess to my life in petty crime? At the young age of 8, I had taken quarters left in the clothes cubby hole of the swimming pool changing room. At age 9, I’d snitched some candy from the MeeToo Grocery Store on 1st Ave. Deciding to instead focus on my assignment, I determined to carry out this mission and deal with the guilty conscience later.
I walked purposefully into the police station and smiled in what I hoped was my best authoritative expression. “I’m here to pick up any ‘Art Staed’ or ‘Obama’ signs you may have in your possession.” The courteous police officer asked me to wait out front while he searched. However, knowing I Must Not Fail in this important task, I scurried after him as he went outside to look in the police storage building. The first place he checked was empty and he started to walk back when I suggested first peeking in the fenced section beyond the building. Success! I struggled to maintain my composure as I found not one, but four “Obama” signs! He handed them over and I nonchalantly walked back to the get-away-car. On the way home, I reported in with “Q”, alias, Art. In and out; nobody hurt.”
You can now call me “Special Agent 008”.
