Eleanor immediately and entirely erroneously concluded that Maya was not a resident. In her mind, Maya was clearly an unauthorized, off-schedule landscaping worker who had the audacity to be on the premises.
Without a single moment of hesitation, Eleanor marched up the freshly paved walkway, her loafers clicking aggressively against the concrete. She bypassed the polite distance of the sidewalk and marched right up to the edge of the wooden deck.
"Excuse me!" Eleanor barked, her voice sharp, shrill, and dripping with absolute condescension. "Excuse me, you! Put that equipment down right this instant!"
Maya paused, her hand resting near the handle of the leaf blower. She looked over her shoulder, slightly startled but mostly confused by the sudden, intense hostility radiating from the strange woman standing on her walkway.
"Can I help you?" Maya asked, her tone polite but guarded.
"Yes, you can help me by packing up that infernal machine and leaving the premises immediately," Eleanor demanded, crossing her arms and puffing out her chest so her HOA badge was front and center. "Weekend landscaping by third-party vendors is strictly prohibited before 10:00 AM in this community. Furthermore, you do not have the proper Oakwood vendor clearance badge displayed on your person. Who hired you? I demand to speak to the homeowner right now."