'This is why people hate liberals'

 

     A detail can be intriguing and yet not fit into the story you are writing. A matter of tone. For instance, this sign, noticed in the men's room on the main floor of the Obama Presidential Center. At first glance, it might seem a harmless bit of virtue signaling — "Look, we are so environmentally conscious we collect rainwater on our roof."

     No, not "collect." Too ordinary a word. They harvest the rain water. As if it were alfalfa or something. An overly-ornate word, like "curate." 

     That would be bad enough. But further context cast it in an even dimmer light. The sign appears, not in the main bathroom, by the sinks, where a person might conceivably drink, but in a toilet stall. The folks behind the Obama Presidential Center are not just bragging about the source of the water, but cautioning you not to drink it. Out of the toilet.  Because, apparently, they suspect that otherwise, unless you are warned about the situation, you might do so.
     "This is why people hate liberals," I muttered, snapping a few photos.