I need a place to vent, so guess what people... yep, i'm gonna do it here.
About a week ago my 'check engine' light comes on, I changed the oil (i know that is not part of the check engine light) and waited a week for it to 'go away'. No luck, it was a long shot anyways. So as i understand it i need 'diagnostics' done, a particular machine that is hooked up to the car and finds out specifically what needs checking in the engine. Takes 30 mins maybe? and cost 50 dollars maybe?
Hmmm, let's see who around here could do a diagnostic? Well the closest place would be that little inspection garage, maybe they can do it. So i hop in my car, shit i need gas, Ok gas first then diagnostics. I get gas, and buy a pack of cigarettes. On the way to the garage, i light a cigarette.
I arrive at the location. Hmmm, they look smaller than i remember, i don't think they can do it here. Hey, there's a guy at the front desk, i'll just ask to make sure. Cigarette in hand i pop out of the car and up to the front door, open it and pop my head in.
"Say, do you gu..." was about all i got out.
"Don't bring that cigarette in here." he cuts me off.
"Um, Ok, can i just hold it outside, I jus...", i continue, since i had no intention of taking it inside.
"No. Put it out." He says, in all seriousness, and he was serious.
"OK." a little bewildered, but compliant -- as a smoker I've been here before. I put the cigarette out on the ground. (outside, just to be clear :) )
"So, i was ju...." I tried to get to the point.
"No, pick it up and put it out in your car." He states sternly. Now I'm thinking 'is this guy just trying to make me dance? But, no, he just doesn't want a cigarette butt on his sidewalk.'
Not wanting to be his total bitch, i try to meet him half way. "Alright." I say nodding my head like i get where he's coming from. "I'll pick it up on my way out, I j..."
"No. Pick it up, now, and put it in your car." he demands.
A little stunned, it took me a moment to decide what to do, I simply said "No." and began to walk to my car. Incedent over.
Not quite. Content to leave that place and never think about it again, i get in my car, think momentarily about lighting another cigarette (the one i had just put out was only half smoked), but then i look up and there is the man picking up the butt. 'Oh... I know what he wants to do now...' I thought going for the window control, as the window was still down (i was smoking when i pulled up, remember). Damn, those power windows, they only have one speed, and it may not be fast enough. The guy, seeing his opportunity fading, rushes my car and throws the butt at me. Not a toss, mide you, and not towards me, either, but a forceful full-arm side throw aiming directly for my person. If we had been playing dodge-ball it would have qualified as a 'peg', for it hit me square in the left lens of my sunglasses.
I was mad as hell, but i kept it together, sorta. It must have taken me a few moments because the man was already back at the door. So i decided to pick the butt off my floorboard, lower my window, and flick the cigarette back on the ground about halfway between us, while we stared each other down. I don't remember what he was trying to say with his face, but I was daring him to come pick it up, with mine. I turned the ignition and waved good-bye, and he yelled "Good riddance!" and walked inside. Incedent over?
Well the incedent itself is, but the is still more to the story, but i've ranted enough maybe. I tell you the rest if i hear the magic words: "So what happened next?"
Perhaps it's a touch too much pride, but i was not about to degrade
myself and give into his uncivil and unreasonable manners and pick up the
butt, walk to my car, walk back to him and ask him for his services, all while he watched smugly form his desk. I just wouldn't do it, maybe
if he had shown the littlest bit of respect i probably would have capitulated, but alas he wanted to make sure that i knew he was in charge, that it was his place,he made the rules, and i was going to do what he said... or else. So i guess like
all rebels, whose duty it is to resist such totalitarian demands, i
revolted.
I understand that the cigarette butt offended him, and even that refusing his demands to pick it up, angered him. But it simply does not justify his actions.
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