On Friday August 27, at some time between 1:30 and 3 pm, this mystery hole- complete with brass poles and “caution” tape- appeared in the deck behind the UCF Student Union.
Where did this hole come from? A burst water pipe? Erosion from the summer rains?
Perhaps a new sinkhole in the karst terrain of central Florida?
Or less likely- a very angry gopher tortoise? UCF’s very own Hellmouth?
Why the brass poles? Are they akin to the velvet ropes of the bouncer, designed to keep party-crashing demons from erupting out of the abyss?
And why leave the roll of tape in place? Was the hole expected to grow?
All I can say for certain is that in the 20 minutes I was eating my lunch nearby, a UCF police officer and Student Union administrator both stopped by to photograph the hole. Neither offered comment to the curious onlookers.
And so, I pass this experience on to my readers. One day, perhaps, the answer will be known.