Ralph McClendon on Giving Away Copies of Pontoon

While passing out Pontoon in the airport I came across many gracious persons who work at the airport. Most notable was a police officer who looked bored leaning against the metal railing that separates the baggage claim from the walking space of the airport. As I approached him he straightened his posture to appear more professional, and readying his response to a question that I was sure to ask, as he'd probably done many times in the past helping passengers find their way around the airport. He looked almost shocked when I reached in my bag and pulled out a Pontoon and handed it to him. "Free poetry?" were the only words to leave my mouth. He thanked me graciously and I continued on to work.

The next night I saw the same officer with an officer buddy approach me on my way to work. "That's the guy" he said, pointing in my direction. I knew what they wanted, so I reached into my bag and pulled out six copies of Pontoon and gave them to the two officers. They both thanked me and I continued.

That next morning as I left work, I saw a group of five or six police officers sitting in the dining area of a coffee shop, talking and reading from various copies of Pontoon. Now when I see these officers they say "Hello" or we give one another a head nod as we pass.