Rainy Day Jury Duty

All of us reporting for jury duty line up on the accessibility ramp to the courthouse, while the spattering rain drips from the aluminum construction shed overhead. 

As we get to the security station, the clearly harried security guards repeat their spiels with increasing exasperation.

“Put everything in your pockets in your bags, that means wallets, phones, keys, and if you don’t have a bag, use one of these plastic buckets,” one says.

“Please do NOT put wet umbrellas in the buckets,” his coworker adds wearily.