OVERVIEW

The rain had finally subsided, but a sticky mist from the bay lightly sprayed across the dock. The stevedores continued their work in spite of the conditions as they feverishly loaded and unloaded containers onto or from massive vessels so large in size that one would take up an entire football field. These stevedores were growing tired from a long day's work in the chilling cold. They wanted to go home to their families (or to the local bar), but not just yet. From beyond the dock, a light flickered and the slow moan of a horn could be heard. The stevedores were far too familiar with the sound and evenly matched the moaning to their own exasperation.

"What do you think?" one asked of the other.

"Another delay," came the response.

"More paperwork, I guess," the third interjected.

"I don't know what's happening," the first said with a sigh. "Seems like nothing goes through like it used to. It always takes longer."

"Well," the second replied with a thin smile, "it keeps us busy."

"Yeah, more overtime," the third concluded. "I can use a little extra."

With a collective sigh, they opened their lunch pails to retrieve what might remain, as they waited for the signal to begin work again.

They would continue to stay a bit longer and wait for another ship to have its arrival approved. It could be a vessel carrying cargo intended to meet the needs of many people and companies. It could contain...