B ·?, F TYPE 4 2.00 2.00 ** 1 F F F Ôèå Íéäîéçèô Òïáä Michael Stutz Independent Study with Dr. Kirk April 10, 1990 A bucolic wooden fence lines the backdrop of the park, composed of weather-worn oak boards stretching skyward and aligned together in a sublime row. A few small, snow-swept pines dot the surrounding area in clusters of two or three. The dry earth underneath holds the burlap from which they were wrapped, now exposed to the wintry stillness. The trees are illuminated by tall iron street lamps from the parking lot, where cars lay like toys. Behind the fence the dark chocolate forest lays in a black watercolor smear, blending into the indigo December sky. Freezing rain pelts down with a dismal syncopation. The northern wind bangs against the gigantic, leafless elm trees on the hill to the left. Their spidery limbs lay still and are veiled in the misty air. The rain-water can be heard dripping into the sewers by the cars. Atop the hilly grass, the snow is matted from rain and footprints. It is this setting that Jane Gillcrest and Ed Thompson arrived for a midnight sledding excursion. Jane had shown visible excitement in that she'd get a chance to be with her friend in such a neo-romantic locale. Ed just wanted to relive his childhood glory as king of the toboggans. They had no problem getting out of the house at eleven-thirty on a weeknight - it was winter break, just a few days before Christmas, and as such neither of them had any pressing plans for the next morning, except maybe get a few last-minute gifts for the family, which was to be expected. The drive there was uneventful, they had spent most of the time admiring some of the local Christmas decorations that the ex- hippies, the yuppies, and the future muppies had placed outside of their respective adobes. Standing atop a sharp incline, Jane studied the gully it formed at the bottom, where the thirty foot slope met the flat field. "You know, I don't think there's enough snow down there to cushion our sled." Her face bore a thoughtful expression. Ed was already sitting down on his side of the sled, waiting for her to board. "Don't worry about it. It's fine," he said, and almost added: "Besides, you'll be in front." He patted the front of the sled and she reluctantly sat down in deference. "That last one was kinda close, too.."