The siren went off about a half mile from town. You could set your watch by it. Some people did, 1:30, so it must be a Friday. Johnny was coming. Ritual and small-town practicality were about to merge again in the weekly two-car parade about to enter city limits from the south. The few people on the street looked around as if assessing something, and a few others stepped out of shops to do the same. The siren got closer....
