The street-sweeping game

This is in my favorite neighborhood coffee shop. Helen (the lady getting ready to get in the car) has her eagle-eys scouts posted and ready. The idea is that she has to get in the car and drive away seconds before the street-sweeper arrives (accompanied by the evil meter maids). If the meter maid catches her on a street-sweeping day, there is a hefty fine to pay. She waits until the precise moment that they approach, then drives around the block. The whole time this is happening, other scouts have to tell prospective customers that they have to wait for their morning fix until the meter maid danger subsides. Once she successfully drives around the block, she is safe for the rest of the day. Everyone in San Francisco knows this game well, though few are as skilled as the gifted Helen. The really funny thing is that I lost this game just yesterday, and ended up with my very own parking ticket. Welcome home!