(not a) showcase staircase

the other day at the doctor's office, i took the stairs, and this is what i saw.

i swear each step has a different non-skid tile applied! it's like all the showcase staircases get first dibs and ol' back hallway gets the scraps. 

"jones! staircase C need a non-skidder on #6 - stat!"

"sir, is staircase C a showcase staircase?"

"jones! it is not!"

"i'm on it, sir!"

"good man, jones!"

so jones grabs a non-skid tile from the miscellaneous box, schleps up to staircase C, and glues it to #6. 

i know this is happening because, as you can see, some of the non-skids are scuffed but none are significantly scarred. this is a cared for staircase. it's in good repair. it's just not lovely. 

this is really the epitome of the back staircase: a functional structure which, if you know the basics of stair-stepping, isn't going to trip you up. it's humble. it's not at a beauty pageant. it's just doin' a job, breakin' at noon for a baloney sammich, and clockin' out at the end of the day to head home to the fam... junior's got math homework again.