He tested it with a rake handle. The sensor blinked. A half-second later, a sharp burst of water arced out in a thin spray. It lasted about four seconds before shutting off. Clarence nodded to himself, then adjusted the angle to reach across the unofficial “shortcut” path. It was ready.
To be extra sure, he added one more sign—this time in block letters on reflective plastic: “WET ZONE – PROPERTY UNDER MAINTENANCE – DO NOT ENTER.” He knew they wouldn’t read it. But it wasn’t for them. It was for him. A reminder that he had done everything he could before this.