One of the Perks of Living in DC

Monday morning, I walked into my office a little bleary-eyed, probably around 9:15. I go through the same routine everyday.
1. Walk into cubicle and turn on computer.
2. Place bag on chair and hang up coat.
3. Take lunch out of bag and tuck bag under desk.
4. Log in to computer.
5. Fill up water bottle at water cooler.
6. Check e-mail.

What? There was an explosion? I suppose if I were a little less groggy I would have realized that it was only a "Simulated Explosion," and it wasn't going to happen for another two days, but whatever. After I realized there wasn't, in fact, any explosion, I thought it was cool; I never got any e-mails like this in New York or Connecticut. Then again, I did see a Bomb Squad van outside my window when I lived next to the United Nations. Who knows if that was simulated.

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From: *********
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 9:36 AM
To: .DC-Everyone
Subject: Simulated Explosion

Please review this important notice:

NOTE THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT MESSAGE.
For the filming of a TV pilot, there will be a simulated explosion on Wednesday, March 25 between 9:30 a.m. and noon near Key Bridge in the District. The explosion will produce a 20 to 30' fireball that will last for approximately 2 minutes.

Please pass along this information to others appropriate. The Department of Homeland Security and D.C. Police and Fire departments have been notified, along with the Washington Airports Authority. The Virginia State Patrol and Arlington Police Department will be contacted. If you have additional questions, contact Kathy Hollinger or Burt Warner with the DC Film Office at 202-727-6608.

The explosion will take place on the Potomac River just north of the Key Bridge and Jack's Boathouse (K / Water Street, NW under the Whitehurst Freeway). In the scene to be filmed, there will be six (6) sculling boats on the Potomac River and one of them blows up.

CBS Paramount television is filming a pilot titled "Washington Field." This is a new television series about the elite Washington field office of the FBI and a team of agents with exceptional and diverse skills who are called together for only the most critical cases.

Jeanne Saddler
Director, Office of Public Affairs
Metropolitan Washington
Council of Governments