Rob - Summarizer 9 & 10

In chapter 9 we learn about the "Call" system for an EMT or firefighter.  Perry describes the call as being a sonic clever that splits you wide open in the middle of sleep.  As with anyone who is woken up suddenly, Perry talks about the groggy moments when sleep is refusing to leave although you are already up and moving.  Perry moves on to talk about the victims they are called to help. He talks about how the dispatch reports one thing and most of the time the scenario is much more complicated.  However, if you think about life in general, every person is unique, no two the same.  Would this rule not apply to people's ailments as well?  The chapter is also about the call system, and how the use of pagers is a relatively new thing in New Auburn.  The town still has a 7 digit help line that is used by some of the old timers and every so often they are called upon in person.  Perry says that he has had people stop him as he is walking by and even had someone stop by his house to inform him of an accident.  Regardless of how the call is fielded Perry and the rest of New Auburn's volunteer crew will answer it.

Chapter 10 is about death, literally and figuratively.  The chapter begins with Perry and his friend, Trygve Nelson, driving out in the country to kill a sickly cat that has been lingering around the Nelson's yard.  The cat is similar to the town, still alive but steadily losing its place in the world.  In earlier chapters, Perry talks about all the different factories that came and left New Auburn.  Perry revisits this idea in chapter 10 when he sits down to have a cup of coffee with Snook Ruud.  Snook and his wife Betty Lou ran their own grocery store for years in New Auburn, with much success.  However, eventually the time came when Snook and his shop were smothered by large chain grocery stores and he was forced to sell out.

Chapter 9 was written almost as a memoir, but with a little twist.  Perry writes about physically what it's like to get a page at all hours of the day, but he also puts memories and stories in the chapter from his own personal experience.  Chapter 10 is written with certain nostalgia.  Perry states how fond he is of the old things in town and the history behind them.  That's why Perry took the gas sign from the old filling station, and why he enjoys his talks with Snook so much.