Well, that was exactly what I didn’t want to see on my way out the door to lunch: three firemen, in full protective regalia, wearing gas masks. I tried holding my breath all the way down from the third floor; I nearly made it, but ended up taking a few breaths near the front door.
I just got back and thought everything was clear, but I just noticed the entire business department’s been evacuated and cordoned off with “hazardous materials” police tape. (Could that have been the phantom brownie smell from this morning? Anybody know if anthrax smells like brownies?) Evidently we got a letter with a white powdery substance. Lucky us! I’m sure it’s just another hoax, but I’ll be taking shallow breaths just in case. (If you don’t remember, my employer has been the subject of protests in the past over its reporting on local Muslim groups and their alleged connections to terrorist activity.)