911 inanities...

So oakdragon and I were driving down 580, and we noticed that a car up ahead of us was having problems. The underside was bumping the roadway, causing steady flames. The driver of the car pulled over just as smoke started to come upwards. As we passed we could see the door opening, so we knew that the driver was getting out ok.

"Let's call 911 just to be on the safe side," I said, and since I was driving, Don made the call.

They asked him the usual location questions. Then,

"What is the make of the vehicle, sir?"

"It's a *car*," I groused to Don, on the side. Really, how much more specific does one need to get than "the burning car on the eastbound shoulder of 580, just north of the 164/Miramar exit?" Don told them that it was a small car.

Then, "And what color is it?"

"It doesn't matter!" I shouted, exasperated - could they just get help out there already?

Don was more polite than I was, and didn't tell them what *he* was thinking -- "If you folks don't send a fire truck soon, it's going to be black."