Verdigris Viaduct — Tapir Skybridge Bellkeepers

The story of Verdigris Viaduct

A fictional story inspired by the artwork.

The fog rolls in early at Verdigris Viaduct. By the time the first carts arrive, the far end of the bridge has usually disappeared from view. The bellkeepers announce whether the walkway is clear, then listen for the reply. A traveler with enough patience can learn to recognize the distance between stations by the delay in the answer.

Each tapir on the crew carries equipment suited to a different stretch of bridge. An inspection takes a wrench and a steady hand. A shift change needs a clear written record, especially when a bell has been taken out of service. Experienced keepers remember how the handrail feels under a glove when the wind begins to turn.

The black-and-white tapir markings and short trunks give the group a recognizable profile. Weatherproof clothing in quiet green and red tones echoes the muted bronze fixtures. Bells, rope, and maintenance tools make the figures read as members of a working crew even when they are standing apart.

The crew starts its last round one evening and hears an answer from below the bridge. It comes from the span that was closed before any of the current keepers started work. A rope hangs into the mist beside a stair they have passed a hundred times, and tonight it is drawn tight.

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