THE BRICK LAYER
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Letter regarding the building accident on Friday...


Dear Sir, 

  You have requested that I provide additional information concerning my
response to block #3 in the accident report.  You stated in your letter that
my response, "trying to do the job alone", was not detailed enough.  I trust
that the following information will clear up any questions that you may have.

  I am a brick layer by trade.  On the date of the accident, I was working
alone on the roof of a new six-floor building.  When I completed my work, I
discovered that I had about 500 pounds of bricks left over.
  Rather than carry the bricks down by hand, I decided to lower them in a barrel
by using a pulley which was attached to the side of the building at the sixth
floor.

  Securing the rope at ground level, I went up the roof, swung the barrel out
and loaded the bricks into it.  After finishing loading the bricks into the
barrel, I then went back to the ground and untied the rope.

  Now, you will note in section #2 of the accident report that I weigh 165
pounds.  Due to my surprise at being jerked off the ground so suddenly, I
lost my presence of mind and forgot to let go of the rope.  Needless to say,
I proceeded at a rapid rate of ascent up the side of the building.

  In the vicinity of the third floor, I met the barrel coming down.  This
explains the fractured skull and broken collar bone.  Slowed only slightly,
I continued my rapid ascent, not stopping until the fingers of my right hand
were buried four knuckles deep in the pulley.

  Fortunately, by this time I had regained my presence of mind and was able
to hold tightly to the rope in spite of my pain.  At approximately the same
time, however, the barrel of bricks hit the ground and the bottom fell out of
the barrel.  Without the weight of the bricks, the barrel now weighed 
approximately 50 pounds.  (I refer you again to my weight found in section #2 
of the accident report form.)

  As you can imagine, I began a rapid rate of descent down the side of
building. Somewhere in the vicinity of the third floor, I again met the barrel
coming up. This explains the two fractured ankles and lacerations of my
legs and lower body.  The encounter with the barrel slowed me 
enough to lessen the injuries I received when I fell onto the pile of 
bricks at the bottom.  - Fortunately, only one arm was broken.

  I am sorry to report, however, that as I lay there on the bricks (in pain),
unable to stand and watching the empty barrel six floors above me, I again
lost my presence of mind and let go of the rope.  The empty barrel, weighing
more than the rope, came immediately down on me at high speed, breaking both 
of my legs.

  Now I hope I have furnished the information you required as to how the
accident occurred and why I have arrived in hospital.