I spent three years working at the Riverfront Character Inn in a variety of positions. When I compare my training center experiences to those of friends and other students whom I have talked to, I believe that mine was one of the better ones. God used my time there to grow me and stretch me in big ways. It certainly wasn’t always easy or fun, but I have come away with some great memories and lifelong friendships.
One of my favorite positions was being a part of the Transportation team. While a significant responsibility, it was also a great privilege to be able to drive one of the Institute’s vehicles. I worked hard to prove that I could be responsible, that I was trustworthy, and that I could handle driving 15-passenger vans safely and calmly. Driving was a great escape for me — I loved being able to make trips to the store, the airport, or anywhere. It was a little slice of freedom, and offered a change from everyday life at the Inn.
One Saturday in particular stands out to me. It was a beautiful autumn day — a few clouds, a slight breeze, and a temperature just cool enough to make your toes cold if you were wearing sandals. Not only was the weather beautiful, but the day was following the pattern of a perfect Saturday. I slept in until I couldn’t sleep any more, lounged around my room in my favorite pajamas, leisurely drank my coffee as I had my quiet time (instead of the usual hurried gulping down a mug before chapel), took my time getting ready to appear in public, and then headed out of my room fully awake and ready for whatever the day brought my way.
My tasks for the day were to fill one of the vans with gas, head to a nearby small town to scout it out, and hopefully to talk the manager of the ice cream shop into a bargain for the group we were planning on bringing the following Monday. It would be a nice afternoon with no hurry needed.
First stop: the gas station, so the van would be ready for taking students to church the next day. Pumping my own gas is something I have never had qualms about doing, if the gas station isn’t scary looking and I’m sure that it’s in a safe part of town.
There was one downside to purchasing gas for the Institute — the fuel cards we used were sometimes a bit finicky. That day, as I was trying to get the card to work, a man walked up to the other side of the pump with a gas can and began to fill it. He was a little scruffy-looking, but not too terribly scary. A few thoughts ran through my mind: I wondered why he needed gas in a gas can, and why he didn’t come in a car. Did he run out of gas somewhere? Had he walked far? Or maybe it’s for his lawn mower…
The fuel card was finally accepted, and as I began filling the van I forgot about the man on the other side of the pump. While the tank was filling, I remembered that I needed to make a phone call. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and dialed one of the Transportation guys. As I was talking, I heard a voice behind me. Turning around, I saw the gas can man. He had his head poked around the pump and was saying something very strongly and insistently. I wasn’t going to listen at first, because I thought he was just some grungy old man acting weirdly. Then his words registered.
“You’re gonna blow up!”
What in the world? I thought.
“You can’t talk on a phone while you’re pumping gas! You’re going to explode and blow us all up!”
Is this guy for real? Is he crazy? Drunk? High? (In Flint, you never know!) He kept muttering and exclaiming about how I was dangerous and he had to get out of there fast. I just looked at him in disbelief as hurried off with his gas can. I could hear him calling to another person at the station, “She’s gonna blow us up! I’ve got to get out of here! You should leave — fast!” I could hardly keep from laughing.
Now, I know there are warnings about using your cell phone while pumping gas, but how serious are they? Has anyone ever really blown up because they were talking on a cell phone at a gas pump?* I’ve always viewed these warnings in the same way I do the labels that manufacturers use to protect themselves from frivolous lawsuits.
This is one memory from my time at the RCI that never ceases to make me smile — and even, sometimes, to laugh.
[* Editor’s Note: No, according to internet urban legend investigator Barbara Mikkelson, of Snopes.com.]
Actually, I think this myth was also busted on Mythbusters. As it turns out, people with cell phones are more likely to get in and out of the car, causing static to build up. The static discharges as the nozzle gets close to the car, completing the circuit, causing the gas to ignite.
To prevent this, when you get out of your car, be sure to grab the edge (metal part) of the door as you get out.