Water They Waiting For?!

My son arrives home from his overnight job just as I am ready to leave for work.

Son: “There’s a public works guy outside. The water is leaking down the street. He said he’s pretty sure it’s a water main break. He called the water company.”

We discuss a few things, and I try to leave. I walk out the front door and right back inside.

Me: “I need to get different shoes.”

Son: “Is it over the sidewalk?” 

Me: “All the way across and it’s really flowing fast.”

I change shoes, head to the office, and the rest of the conversation is via text.

Son: “The borough guy says the police are coming.”

Me: “Why?” 

Son: “The water company doesn’t believe him and needs an official report.”

Some time later:

Son: “The water company is here. They have a dozen guys and lots of equipment, but the water is still running. The police shut down the whole street, and there are caution signs at the bottom because it’s running down the hill and messing up traffic on Main Street.”

Me: “They haven’t turned it off?” 

Son: “No. I don’t know why.”

A bit later:

Son: “The water company supervisor just showed up. The public works crew had cones and road closed signs up. They were waiting for the water company supervisor so he could ask the borough to remove their stuff, and they could put up water company cones and signs.”

Me: “Why?”

Son: “Supposedly, they have to be official water company ones.”

Me: “Why couldn’t the guys who were there ask?”

Son: “I don’t know. But the public works guy says he’s calling his supervisor to tell him he needs a mental health day.”

I really can’t blame him.