My Trip to the Stars

 

The parking lot was at the bottom of the hill.  The only way to get to the planetarium was to hike up the dirt path.  There was VIP parking as well as handicap spots at the front door, but we were neither VIP’s nor handicaped, so up the path we hiked.

What we had not counted on was Mother Nature setting up a blockade.  Not one but two Rattlesnakes were in a standoff in front of us.  I had never seen two snakes fight before but I knew better than to walk between them.

We basically stood there, frozen.  Other people coming up the path behind us were most likely wondering why we stopped.  As they came within voice range, we explained the problem.  Now there were many of us just standing half-way up the hill.

It didn’t look like either snake was about to back down.  Each one was coiled and rattling, almost nose to nose.  I glanced around for a stick or rock to throw.  Maybe if I could break their concentration, they’d give it up and each go their separate ways.

In a calm voice I asked if any of the ladies had a small mirror in their purse.  Someone in the back of the crowd handed one forward.  When it got to me, I flipped it open and held it down at almost snake level.  I was thinking maybe the sight of a third snake might be enough to break up this fight.  I know, it was a lame idea but nobody else was coming up with anything.  Even though my hand was quite shaky, I slowly leaned forward, holding the mirror out in front of me.  If this took much longer, we wouldn’t need to go inside to see the stars.  The sun was making its way to the horizon.

One of the things I hadn’t thought of was how long I could hold this pose.  Standing on an incline while leaning way forward, I could feel the back of my legs telling me I couldn’t do it for long.  Then, just as I was asking myself why I had put myself in this position, the thought occurred to me that just maybe there are more than two snakes.  I only noticed the two but what if there were a nest around.  I know snakes have lots of babies, and that the babies are more dangerous than the adults.  The baby snakes have no control over the amount of venom they release.  Suddenly I didn’t want to be anywhere around here.

This was a stupid plan and obviously not working, so I slowly stood up straight, trying hard to keep my balance.  Just as I did, all of the little pathway lights came on.  They must have been on a timer.  Who knows why the planetarium would put pathway lights in and not bother to put stairs.  That made no sense to me.  Maybe it wasn't a high priority to them.  Ahead of us, at the top of the hill and coming down fast was the lower-level parking lot security.  It must have been the vibrations of his steps the snakes felt, as they both took off quickly.

"Excuse me.  Sorry, I'm running a little late.  Sorry."

Once he was past us, I handed the little mirror back to the person behind me and they passed it back behind them.  I turned and continued my journey up to the planetarium.  It was going to feel good just to sit down.  I just hoped I wasn't going to fall asleep once I leaned back in the chair.

Z. Corwin