Dark

Our local pharmacy, part of the Jean Coutu chain, was totally dark. When I passed I saw two pharmacists running out of the door, only dressed in their white coats while it was -17 degrees. Apparently they were looking if they could fix the blackout.

Inside the Jean Coutu usually stands a man who sells pens and pencils. He’s blind and has a bundle of pens and pencils in his hand while rocking back an forth a bit. I seldom see people buy something, but he is greeted by almost all passing customers. In the summer he stands outside, but in the winter he is allowed to stand in the entryway, to shelter from the bitter cold. And there he stood now also, in the pitch black entryway, not aware of any change. I found it sad and comical at the same time.

One block away I found that the SAQ, our liquor store on strike, was also hit by the blackout. And outside there were a lot of picketers, much more than usual. Was there a connection?