The building right next door to The Stranger's office is under construction. As I was walking into the office, I noticed something.

Maybe there's too much backlighting from the sky in the above image to see it. Here, is this better?

What on earth is written on the stem of this orange construction machine? Something about bondage? And pumping? And a bone?

Granted, I was a little far away from the letters.

Ah, okay, it doesn't say "bondage." But it does say "bone" and "pumping."

According to the internet, Brundage-Bone Concrete Pumping is "the largest concrete pumping and material placement service in the United States." Not only are they large, they know what they're doing: They have "more experience pumping concrete than anyone," their website says.

I don't think they have any barges in their fleet, but they do have "line pumps, telebelts, J pumps, and other specialty pumping equipment to resolve any concrete pumping need."

Of course, the phrase "pumping need" makes me think of Big Hole Energy, which you may have read my manifesto on—but ICYMI.

Oh, and speaking of Big Hole Energy, as well as the two-block radius around The Stranger's office, have you seen the sidewalk sign for bagel shop Eltana?

Thank you for reading this edifying Slog post. I look forward to your gratitude and praise in the comments.