There are a lot of famous sitesin the four or five blocks that make up Philadelphia's IndependenceNational Historical Park. Carpenter's Hall is not one of them. According to the mysteriously scratched-up Plexiglasplacard to my left, this unimposing brick building was the siteof the first and second Continental Congresses, where colonialleaders met to chat about King George's many spectacular injustices. Perhaps it's this spirit of revolution that incitesso many tiny revolts in the courtyard in front of me. Toddlersrise up from their strollers to drunkenly stumble away from tyrannicalparents.
Teenagers argue to secede from the oppressive familyunit.
Mapholders are relinquished of their duties and verballybeheaded for leading the group to yet another squarish brick building. The young, unathletic complainers in clunky athleticshoes have no idea how sweet they have it. Those with less rugged constitutions whine and dance for a bathroom. Every fourth word or so is muted, allowingthe tourists to play Mad Libs with American history. Another guide, this one in period garb, uses justher natural volume to lecture whimsically about the Hall.