Finally, through a maze of blocked-off streets, we came to one last quiet corner. And while we couldn't see a thing save military police and secret service folks (and, briefly, one ambulance whose possible significance we would only later come to understand), something fantastic did, indeed happen. Away from the milling crowds and within quick retreat distance to a warm cafe, booming from the direction of this picture came the echoing unmistakable sound of President Barack Obama's inaugural speech.