Broken meter

I was looking for a parking spot on K street at around 10 AM. Pure madness. I'm not late yet so I decide to circle the block. Pure luck, there is a spot which seems legit. I signal that I'm taking it when a worker nearby motions me to open my window. "The meter is broken" he says pointing toward the parking meter in front of my spot. I smile. "Even better. I won't have to pay". The face he makes when hearing my answer. I can see his dismay to my un-civil glee and his disappointment not to have thought of it himself.