Power outage.

The lights went out halfway up the bridge. Williamsburg bridge. On my way to Manhattan. I just got done working on her and changing the oil. Ride her to work the sea foam through the engine and clean her out. Half in the gas and the crankcase. Attack the offending oil deposits from both ends. On top of the bridge looking out on Manhattan. Dark. The lights are off. On the horizon lights illuminate the clouds. Darkness ahead of me. Only headlights illuminate the buildings. Down on the island. No stop lights and the cars awkwardly speed off into the night. Weaving as lights shoot down side streets. It's quiet. Just the sound of the cars. Occasionally a candle in a window. A lamp. Flashlights against the ceiling. Out of the black a man wearing a florescent green jacket. Traffic cop. Few and far between. Ambulance and police lights everywhere. People, mostly women dragging suitcases. Trying to find a way out. Drive up the island. Weaving back and forth between the cars. Above 40th st. the light returns. Life back to normal. Bars, restaurants. FDR drive is closed. Turn around and drive back. I can see it coming. Where the light stops. Riding closer and closer to where the city just ends. Enveloped by blackness. Falling off the earth.