Cars on the Pier

The town council met on a wet evening to discuss one issue: should cars be banned from the old wooden pier?

Rosa runs the small gift shop at the end of the pier. She was worried.

“If you ban the cars, my customers won't come,” she said. “Half of them are old. They can't walk the whole length of the pier. My shop will be closed by winter.”

Tariq, a young councillor, shook his head. “The pier is over a hundred years old. It wasn't built for cars. If we don't act now, the wood will be damaged beyond repair. Then nobody's shop will survive.”

“So my business is the price?” Rosa asked.

“No,” Tariq said. “A small bus could be provided for older visitors. The pier would be protected, and your customers would still arrive. Everyone benefits.”

Rosa thought about it. “And who pays for this bus?”

“The council. The money is already set aside.”

“What's the impact on the shops during the work?”

“There'll be some noise for a month,” Tariq admitted. “I won't pretend there won't be. But the long view matters. If we do nothing, the consequence is worse for all of us.”

Rosa looked out at the dark water. “All right,” she said slowly. “If the bus is real, I'll support the ban. But I'll be watching.”