I followed the line and climbed up the steps into the base. It was a huge structure; steps led you through three levels. Artwork and graffiti were everywhere. One art set-up was Rupert the Robot, who said rude things when you pushed his buttons. On the top level was a machine that made music based on which switches you pressed. I'd been hearing the tones since I got in line. It was all very impressive.    At a window immediately beneath the Man, a photographer smiled when I pointed out the Moon was still out. The whole base was the size of a three story house. I wondered what would happen when the structure was set aflame. Would it tip over on its edge and roll out towards the crowd? I had the idea that once all that wood was set aflame, it would be a quick, very hot conflagration. The slide down was exciting.    Scattered people were cleaning up the remains of the CORE effigies. I rode out to the sculpture called Truth is Beauty, which reminded me of the Bliss sculpture from years past. I remembered Dot telling me they lit this one up differently at night. The form was simple and graceful… except, an 8-year-old ballet dancer thought the figure was not posing correctly. “You tell her, honey,” the father said.  There was a guest book next to the sculpture which I signed. A passing art car played a Jamaican hip-hop version of the "Doctor Who" theme.

Another person came in breathing hard with anxiety issues. After I got them calmed down, it was obvious they were anxious because they couldn't breathe. Medics were called in, and the participant was taken to Rampart, the medical facility. Someone donated a 10-foot weather balloon to the Rangers. It was tethered off behind HQ, the breeze making it goose anyone who walked too close. The balloon got nicknamed the Batsignal.
 
We had a long issue with one person who had a complicated backstory. We were very fortunate to have the assistance of someone from the Mental Health Branch who not only spoke the necessary lingo but also shared some of the same cultural background. The situation was resolved, for the time being, with the assistance of friends and campmates. A couple of people came in dehydrated and and exhausted; they just needed a quiet place for a while to get their bearings. Before the shift was over, I carried someone in my arms, got goosed by a weather balloon, and learned how to break into a locked porta potty (a dubious skill, but hey).
 
I met Peter, the medic lead for the shift, Ranger Grimm and Ranger Zeitgeist. Ranger Judas said hi as he came through HQ. He was using an electronic cigarette to help stop smoking, and he said it was really helping him quit. Ranger Batman coordinated transportation. We were joined by Ranger Freya, whom I met when I was in Denver for training. (Her partner had high praise for Freya, and described her as a “rockstar.”)  By then, it was almost the end of the shift. My relief, Ranger Flash, showed up, and I filled him in on what all happened that afternoon. He was working with Inkwell, who didn’t remember me, and Ranger Rez. After an afternoon shift with just me at Sanctuary, they had three Rangers for the swing shift. I decided Sanctuary was an assignment I could totally do again. I think I helped some people and made a difference. It was nice working with Leah. She was scheduled to work in Sanctuary during the Saturday night burn, so I suggested she find a good seat in the balcony of the Hatrack. It was tough to leave Sanctuary at the end of the shift. I hoped I did okay. I checked out at HQ and got my meal ticket.
 

As darkness fell, I got on my bike and rode out to the Man to get some night time pictures, but they had already closed it off. They needed to prep the site for the burn Saturday night. Fireworks had to be installed. The whole area was closed off, and big lights were set up for the workers.