Prison break-out

Ok, here we are on a lovely Wednesday. I'm going to now write the post that I intended to write yesterday before getting sidetracked by my own weirdness. I should've changed it up so that I could write about words today and fulfill the prophecy of the Wacky and Wordy Wednesday. Alas, it was not to be.

First though, I have to tell you about an experience I just had this morning. I went to Toyota and was waiting for the shuttle they have to take me to work. The shuttle driver told us it would be 7:30, and at 7:31 he grabbed his keys, looked us over, and then walked away. I felt like it was a weird power thing, but I didn't make too much of it. Then he came back out and waved us over to the van. As the three of us who needed rides started to get in, he held his hand up and stopped us. "Where are you going?" he asked us. We all answered. "Ok then. You sit there. You, next to him there. And you ride up front." Now it was definitely a power thing.

While we were getting near where one passenger worked, she said, "You're going to make a left at that next light." He huffed and exaggerated his lane change and braking as if to say, "You should've told me sooner. Now I have to drive unsafely to do your bidding." When we got to my work, I said, "Thank you, I appreciate it. Have a good day." Nothing. I didn't need a heart-felt "You're welcome," but some acknowledgement would've been nice.

As I say that though, I know I'm kinda lying. I don't like when I thank someone for something and they utter a dismissive "Uh-huh" as a response. When I thank someone, I mean it, and that always feels like they thought I was just saying it because I was supposed to. Regardless, the free shuttle driver was more power-hungry and passive-aggressive than I expected, and I wanted to share that with you.

I have a story to tell you, and now I'm just going to come right out and tell it instead of dancing around it for another 200 words. I was in a neighborhood drug store minding my own business, systematically crossing items off my mental list. A man suddenly approached the pharmacy. Not the counter where they take your prescription nor the counter where you pick it up, but rather the very middle. "Excuse me," he said over the high wall to a man in a white coat walking amongst the pills, "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," the man said, slightly gesturing over to the counter. The customer didn't take the hint though and continued speaking loud enough for anyone within a twenty foot radius to hear. "Cool," he said. "I just got out of prison," he started. I immediately lifted my head to size him up. He was scrawny but looked strong, and his eyes were of the somewhat-crazy variety. "I just got out of prison, and I'm breaking out in these hives." He pulled up his shirt sleeve to show the pharmacist his upper arm. "Maybe it's a rash or something, but I feel like things are crawling on me."

"Do you feel that on your scalp?" the white-coated one asked. "No, not on my head, but a little on my face too. It just feels like things are crawling on me. Do you have anything for that?" With just a little pause to give the impression of considering options, the pharmacist replied, "No, you would really need a doctor to take a look for you and then tell us what to give you." The other gentleman thanked him and went on his way.

This conversation was only a few lines long and didn't last more than a minute, yet by the time it was over, I was on the other side of the store. A recent ex-con who may be contagious is not the ideal person I'd like standing next to me. I would've been farther away too, but the thought crossed my mind that he may have been in for a violent crime committed on someone who was running away from him. I thought it best not to trigger that, ya know, just in case.

I could scarcely think of anything that someone could say in a store that would make me move away faster. I think it's limited to "Give me all your money" and "Now where's that detonation button?" Help me out, friends. What would someone have to say aloud next to you in a public place to make you move as quickly as I did?

I hope the parolee was able to get to a doctor and stop whatever felt like it was crawling on his arm and face. I really do, for his sake and for those around him. In any case, I'm going to stop here so I can dive into my real work. Have a great Wednesday, gentle readers, and shoot ptklein@gmail.com an email with any thoughts about things, questions, or items for Follow Up Friday.