Post by Jack Winchester on Aug 15, 2007 14:06:22 GMT -5
The tombstones were waiting
They were half-engraved
They knew it was over
They just didn't know the date
The Statue of Liberty is a pretty big deal. It should be - it was given to the United States by France in 1886 to mark the Centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. It was also given as a gesture of friendship between the two countries, designed by the same man who designed the Eiffel Tower. It is almost entirely copper hung on a steel framework, save the flame of the torch which is coated in gold leaf. It stands a good 46.5 meters high, with the pedestal and foundation adding an additional 154 feet.
Jack had been alive for 22 years. The statue had been in place for a good 121 years - nearly an entire century longer than the black-haired man had been breathing. It was a monument. It was a sign of hope. It was a sign of peace. Tourists have flocked to the statue for years since its establishment. It was one of the first glimpses an immigrant would see when arriving after their voyage from Europe. As stated earlier, it is a pretty big deal.
Although Jack had lived all his years in the same state, he had never been to see the Statue of Liberty. He took it for granted, having seen it from across the harbor every since he was a little boy. It was part of his everyday life, essentially. He never felt the need to go on the ferry and actually see it up close. To him, it was a simple, though giant, green statue of a woman holding a flaming torch. He knew the significance, definitely, but the symbolism had never impressed him.
This weekend seemed to have a different spin on his senses, however. With nothing tying him to East Valley, Jack set out for a trip to the city. For one reason or another, he decided to take the ferry and actually look at the statue up close for the first time in his life.
The line for ferry tickets had been ridiculous. Two hours passed before Jack actually had to pull out his wallet and pass money to another human being. Now, though, he had an hour to waste before he could get on the boat and ride over to the monument.
Nobody accompanied Jack on his sporadic adventure to the big city. Several of his friends had been busy with school assignments, which wasn't a huge surprise. Senior year was great, but the workload could be a serious kick in the ass. Jack had only one assignment so far, and it was simply a reading project. The book, strangely enough, was one he had already read. He was going to read it again, but it wasn't as strong a priority was the usual project.
Shoving his hands in his front jean pockets, Jack leaned against the railing near the harbor and stared down at the water. It was a little windy and actually not too hot, hence his choice of attire. The weather was pretty much perfect, all things considered. His eyes were wide, but more content than curious. The sun was hidden behind a cluster of white, puffy clouds, keeping his pupils from burning away. His hair was down and scooted to one side of his face, lacking gel or any hair products. He wasn't bored, but he knew with an hour to waste, things could grow a little dull.
(( You are required to have a Monument Access Pass to be allowed in the museum and ten-story pedestal, but I'm using my creative powers to pretend anyone can get in. So ha! ))
