Residents Hear Knocking Beneath Copper Street; Someone Knocks Back

Residents near Copper Street have reported a slow metallic knocking beneath the pavement. Witnesses described three knocks, a pause, then two more. City engineers say old pipes can make unexpected sounds as metal cools, pressure changes and brackets shift.

This explanation satisfied most residents until somebody knocked back. The underground sound stopped. For twelve seconds. Then it knocked four times. The Engineering Office has now issued two instructions: First, report any repeated sounds. Second, do not conduct conversations with municipal infrastructure.

One resident asked whether the second instruction means the city believes the pipes can understand him. The Engineering Office replied that it means exactly what it says. A monitoring gauge will be installed tomorrow. The Gazette will continue following the story from a sensible distance above ground.