Bass on ice: A turtle's tale

It was a nice way to earn some extra money shortly before Christmas.  During my freshman year of college, the bass player in a community orchestra was unable to play Handel's "Messiah" in concert at a local church and asked if I'd like to fill in.  I agreed to step in, despite having only 24 hours to learn the music before a rehearsal.  I picked it up faster than I'd anticipated, so I felt on top of the world.  On the night of the concert, however, there was one obstacle I hadn't taken into account.  I had planned to walk from campus to the church with my upright bass.  I didn't realize, however, that getting from campus to the church without breaking my neck would be harder than I'd expected, given that the sidewalks were all coated with ice.  I was lumbering along with the bass at a glacial pace when two orchestra players drove by and offered to drive the bass and me to the church.  So, all these years later, I want to thank Antoinette and David, once again, for saving me from a possible concussion and a splintered bass.  For any double bass, cello, tuba, harp, timpani, xylophone, or piano player who might end up in this predicament, here's hoping your own equivalents of Antoinette and David are there for you.  For that matter, here's hoping the sidewalks aren't icy on the night of your concert.