At 4:14 p.m., Max threw the power switches in the basement of KMPR. Just as he hoped, the backup generators kicked on. He hurried up two flights of stairs, raced across the studio and dashed into the sound proof booth. All the appropriate lights were lit on his console, the equipment along each wall buzzed and Max was pleased, "Perfect."

Collin snuffed out his third cigarette and grabbed his T-shirt. "Guess that means I have to go back to work." He sighed, put his shirt on and waited while Max flipped what seemed like dozens of switches on the control panel. Two minutes later, the new backup generators were off and KMPR was back on public power.

Just south of the San Juan Islands, a pod of Orca whales abruptly turned and headed into the Strait of Juan De Fuca toward the open sea. At the same time, the Victoria Clipper sailed past a Port Townsend Lighthouse and started for Vancouver Island. In Everett, two police officers parked their cars outside a restaurant and went inside for coffee.

Just north of the Snohomish County line in Mountlake Terrace, an eight-year old boy in a little league baseball uniform wound up to throw a pitch. On the 405 freeway heading south, a drunken motorist in a station wagon quickly changed lanes without signaling for the third time. Just out of sight, a family of six lounged on the deck of their cabin cruiser on the waters of Lake Washington.