Tunnel Revision

 

When someone, often a venerated veteran of your non-volunteer vocation, pleads with you to avoid burning bridges as your career progresses, there’s one question you simply must ask. Not about what type of bridges – cantilever or suspension, covered or truss, cable-stayed or papier-mâché. Not whether or not the billowing flame of a torched crossing might be just the fuel you need to succeed. Not to parse the difference between setting fire to something and merely covering it in lighter fluid as an aromatic treat, or threat, depending on where you’re standing at the time. Not to get into a tedious discussion about rivets, and approximately how many you need to install before you can safely describe yourself as a “riveter.” Not to wonder aloud which Roebling, father, son, or daughter-in-law, was your favorite. Not to determine if matches are any better than a flame-thrower. Instead of all that, here’s what you should ask.

Do tunnels count? Because they should. While bridges remain the most glamorous method of forming relationships, they are by no means the only ones. We grapple with whatever bonds are available at the time.

Let’s say you burn a bridge. Okay, fine. Is that really so bad? You’re not the first. There are alternative ways to get to the other side should you survive the initial plunge. Being a strong swimmer helps. As does knowing the difference between various types of moorings. You should be able to understand a tide chart, too. What I’m saying is that after any torched span, that relationship, however smoldered, is still salvageable. People visit the missing links of Avignon - and they're not looking for primates either. There’s more to a bridge than connecting two places or people. 

Now, tunnels are something else completely. An underwater implosion doesn’t leave much room for reconciliation. That’s because burning a tunnel is only recommended if you’re totally certain that this relationship is headed into the abyss regardless. You might as well control the destruction. Tunnels don’t allow for any distractions or second thoughts. You can’t marvel in the natural beauty of your surroundings or call out notable landmarks like a tour guide. There’s nothing to see here. So you might as well get down to business.  

And to think, I still haven’t said a word about ferries.