He stood br to stiff and starched attention br slap in the center of the road, br br He gripped br his red STOP sign br majestically, like a spear. br br He barked br into his walkie talkie br with the all puff and passion br of a sergeant major. br br His striped yellow vest sparkled br in the setting sun. br His work boots spat dust br as he paced br back and forth, br peering suspiciously br down the road behind him - br like Maxwell Smart on a mission. br br An ambulance br (minus siren) br pulled up at the intersection. br He gave it right of way br immediately - br waving it in front of the rest of us br as with all the pomp and aplomb br of a royal. br br Minutes later, br he nodded to noone in particular br and reversed his sign to SLOW. br br I waved and smiled br as I touched the accelerator. br He ignored my salute.