It was a calm early morning. That oh so quiet period in the couple hours leading up to dawn. Not a creature stirred, not a light was to be found, save the twinkling of the majestic stars far, far away.
He slept the sleep of the innocent and just. Okay, maybe not, but he was sleeping all the same. His trusty ever-present canine companion was curled up on the floor also peacefully slumbering.
The solitude was pierced by a low rumbling that seemed to rattle the house. Man and canine alike raised a weary eyelid in response. In another moment the rumbling grew ever nearer. Now it was joined by a metallic, clanking noise. Still no recognition of the sound was indicated by either animal.
The ruckus now drew nearer. Obviously just down the street. The dog went to a window to see what was up. The man stumbled through some of his early morning routine barely aware of his surroundings. It was at that moment that recognition of the sound hit him. It was the trash people emptying the bins out that were rolled to the curb by the residents of the neighborhood. Good thing too since his bin was filled to the rim. Also since he was still unpacking...EXCEPT HE HAD FORGOTTEN TO ROLL IT DOWN TO THE STREET!. The truck was now at his next door neighbors house! As is well known these people will not step one foot beyond that inpenetrable barrier known as the "curb" to get your bin. What would he do with his trash all week if it was not emptied?!? He had boxes to get rid of, uneaten chinese leftovers to throw away in his fridge. It was time for action! He had to get the bin down the curb and... NOW!
The canine with her keen sense of sensing when something is amiss, lazily yawned emitting a squeaking noise and closed both eyes on the couch. So then, he was on his own. Throwing his clothes on like a man caught naked and cheating with someones woman and being chased by an angry man with a shotgun (not that he would know what that was like) he ran out the door. Dodging the garden tools he'd left outside the night before like a skilled NFL running back, he made his way full speed to the bin. He rolled the bin down the driveway with the kind of agility that you cannot teach, one is simply born with it or one is not.
Triumphantly, he arrived at the truck with the bin, out of breath and more than a little worse for wear. He was greeted by a man just then arriving at the back of the truck. He surely must have been impressed with the performance he just witnessed. He smiled and said "You didn't have to do that sir, we would have waited on you" and he laughed. A fellow such as he, must see this sort of thing quite often. After dumping the container he still was laughing.
This could not dampen the spirit of accomplishment the Man felt in any way. As he returned inside the house,the napping canine ambled over to greet the returning hero. Obviously she knows a heroic performance when she sees one. Or maybe she wanted her food bowl filled. Either way.
The main point was that he could now dump trash to his heart's content. He would go to work feeling great. Actually he sort of needed a nap.