"Flushing Bethesda" - A musical

On a recent trip to Pittsburgh from Columbus I was privileged enough to come across the road sign you see above. The Flushing/Bethesda exit. 11 miles separate these two seemingly unrelated towns. But upon looking at a map I noticed the path from Flushing to Bethesda is one that is not a straight trip rather a cyclone path that is not unlike the flushing of a toilet. Upon seeing the map it dawned on me that Bethesda was probably named after a goldfish. This is Bethesda's story... "Flushing Bethesda."

Bethesda lived an unassuming life typical to a goldfish. Life in a plastic bag at the Belmont County Fair, won by a young girl named Olivett. As Olivett took the young fish to her home in Flushing, she decided on the name Bethesda, a small town not to far from Olivett called Bethesda. Bethesda was where Olivett had met the most glorious boy and wished only to see him again, his name was Bill Aire. Olivett gave Bethesda a glorious bowl and the most tasty fish flakes one could imagine.

*At this point we are definitely setting the audience up for a catastrophe by playing several upbeat and reassuring songs.* (Enter the nemesis cat: Bannock)

Bannock the cat makes several unassuming passes (cue Jaws type music), until one Sunday when Olivett is at church... The villain Bannock makes his move <----- Footage of said 'move'

Needless to say Bethesda goes on a journey after Bannock's move. Combing the water ways trying to find her Olivett. Along the way Bethesda runs across a squirrel and rabbit who try to scare Bethesda at first, but are really insecure and a little inept. The three quickly become an inseparable team... Yadda Yadda Yadda they traverse the local waterways looking for Olivett and all learn a little something about themselves. All until one day...

A young boy with a plastic bag visiting a small pond outside his home in Bethesda comes across a small gold fish... The boys name? Bill Aire.

At this point summer ends, Bill Aire and Olivett both happen to be in the same Kindergarten class and reconnect over show and tell when Bill Aire brings Bethesda. Because Bill Aire has always loved Olivett since their first encounter, he gives Olivett her goldfish back as a token of his unwavering commitment to her. (At this point you should be smiling and crying so... cue tears)

Conclusion: I just wrote entirely too much to emphasize how much I enjoyed a street sign and watching cats flush toilets.