Recent wildfires in Los Angeles, particularly the Palisades and Eaton fires, have transformed the landscape dramatically, leaving evident destruction. The author, reflecting on their experiences, notes unique smells accompanying the devastation, varying from acrid to woodsy as they walked through the ruins. George Barber, who was patrolling the area for a security company, symbolizes the surreal scene with a focus on protecting cashboxes despite the widespread destruction. This juxtaposition highlights the absurdity of securing money amid a disaster zone, embodying the larger impact and strange nature of the fires.
In the Palisades, I spent several minutes staring at the charred ruin of an A.T.M. It was blackened and hollowed out, the keypads a melted mess.
George Barber, a lifelong Los Angeles resident and a veteran of the Iraq war, stood in front of me, a handgun strapped to his waist.
Again and again, I was struck by the unique way havoc played on the nose. It all felt surreal.
Even in a disaster zone, it seems, paper money must be protected.
Collection
[
|
...
]