Water Arc

I marched down the stoop and cut straight across the park pathway to the green cast-iron drinking fountain. A municipal water line handles real pressure, and I wanted to see the output firsthand. I scaled the fluted pedestal, lined up my boots squarely on the heavy iron foot pedal, and drove all my downward weight into the lever. The internal spring yielded with a solid mechanical clunk. A thick, clear arc of pressurized water burst from the brass nozzle, curving through the air before splashing into the stone bowl. I kept my footing locked on the pedal, watching the jet stream hold its clean trajectory until I released the valve.