Clara Grant should have already been at the university, but her electric scooter got a flat tire right after she left home. She had no choice but to find a repair shop to get it patched.
There were two or three other vehicles ahead of her, so she had to wait in line. When it was finally her turn, the mechanic took one look and said her tire was old and worn out. It already had several patches, and even if he added another, it would likely pop again. He warned it could be dangerous to ride on and recommended she get a new one.
To save money, Clara had bought a second-hand scooter in the first place, and she wanted to save money now, too. She insisted on just getting it patched instead of replaced.
By the time the tire was patched, nearly half an hour had passed.
Fortunately, she hadn't left late, so the thirty-minute delay wouldn't make her tardy for class.
