Travels in a Tin Can

time on the principle that if we were planning to sneak into a screen we would
want to be together, although Emma took so long to come back we both
wondered if she had abandoned me for Harry Potter or Lord Of The Rings!
The only other explanation that I can think of for keeping public
restrooms restricted to key access is to prevent theft - but really, what would
one steal? Actually I saw this programme about people who hoard their own
bodily fluids, so maybe some weirdoes hoard other people....
At least the key is normally not hard to get hold of, we never
encountered any sadistic staff prepared to risk exploding bladders by saying
'no, you can’t have the key'. However, on two occasions getting access was
more of a pantomime. The first instance occurred in California, en route to the
Redwoods. We had just refuelled the van and Emma went in to ask if there
was a restroom. In reply the surly young cashier handed her a very large
plastic cup. 'Am I supposed to use this?' Emma asked - only half joking and
half prepared to use it, such was her need. This prompted swift gesturing on
the part of the staff member to point out that a small key was attached to the
large cup - how handy, you can take a beverage in there with you.
More farcical was Emma's experience in the restaurant where we had
lunch in Carmel. These things always seem to happen to Emma, must be her
ridiculously tiny bladder. Either that or I am a coward and send her to scope
out the toilet situation rather than risk embarrassment myself. Anyway, once
again she approached the member of staff and requested the key. 'Oh, it's on
the counter attached to the red tin' replied our slightly crazy and over familiar
waitress - whose flaws we excused because we had been served the best
burgers ever. Emma looked at the counter; saw no red tin so went to try the