Overheard at the planning office

On campus, one bridge connects the electrical engineering and computer science buildings to the earth science, physics, and aerospace buildings. This warning sign has recently been posted at its entrance. Meanwhile, a discussion down at the campus planning office was overheard:

Bob (Facilities Manager) just placing the phone back on its hook: "Another broken heel down out the science bridge: that's our third complaint this week. This poor woman broke her Gianni Melianis. Someone's gonna git hurt if we dont do something about this. Why'd you have to go and put up a steel grate bridge in the first place?"

Jim (head architect for campus structures): "Deconstruction is all the rage these days Bob, you know that. The more it looks like it ain't finished, the more street credibility it gets. That's just the way it is, my friend. Didnt you see my design for the new hospital building. Its a giant steel cage."

Bob: Yeah, well your bridge is sexist!

Jim: What?

Bob: That's right. You've built a bridge that's hazardous to women. You walk across that bridge in high heals you're a gonner. It's a death trap.

Jim: Maybe if Stanford had more women nerolled in the hard sciences I would have thought of that, but as it stands I was under the impression this university went back to being an all-boys school. Furthermore, Bob, who are you to say women's gotta wear high heals? This is the 90s, i mean the zeros, man, women wear sneakers just like everyone else. I seen a woman with a skirt on and wearing sneakers just the other day. And I got no problem telling you I thought it looked very professional.

Bob: I know women wear sneakers Jim. The point is the women that wear heels are forced to walk around the entire building rather than cross your bridge.

Jim: Well lets put up a sign that says "Watch your step."

Bob: No, that would compromise the sense of security about the structure itself. When in fact its the person--a specific kind of person--crossing the bridge that should not feel safe on it.

Jim: Okay, how about, "dress appropriately for this bridge."

Bob: No, no, no. That's way to authoritarian. I know, how about a picture of a high heel with a line drawn threw it? It worked for the No Drugs campaign. No reason why it can't be jsut as effective with clothing. Hey where you off to, we gotta sketch this out.

Jim: I gotta deadline. Im' designing a new door knob that can't be opened by anyone with long finger nails.

Bob: Alright then, head on back when yur done.

Fin