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08 August 2007

Of Mice and Men encounter. [More:]

So I went for a walk yesterday, late in the day when the heat had subsided, and at the end of my route, before I turn for home, there's a shopping plaza with a small pet store. No kittens or puppies, but fish and lizards and birds and bunnies (OMG!). Cute little albino frogs swimming in their tank. And, it's air conditioned, so a welcome respite on a sweltering day.

So I'm standing in the back watching the birds; there were a lot of birds, in cages in a small glass room of their own, behind glass doors. Chatty parakeets, love birds, bright red and orange and yellow parrots. Grooming and climbing and tongueing sunflower seeds. My reverie didn't last long. A large, heavy-set man with tossled brown hair and a button-down shirt appeared next to me. "Can I help you?" he asked. His eyes were somewhat crossed and his speach slurred. I was put-off. I shouldn't have been; he was harmless, I'm sure. But he took me by surprise. "Just looking," I said.

I thought he'd go away after that and leave me to enjoy the birds a little longer, but he just stood there. He was really big, over six feet with a mountainous build, though not fat exactly, and a boy's face. "See what I've got in my pocket," he asked. It was then that I noticed the small grey mouse in his shirt pocket. I smiled and nodded. I've been flashed before, and I was relieved it was only his shirt pocket he indicated. "See what he's doing?" he added. I didn't answer. I was giving him my that's nice, raised eyebrow, go away now smile nod. He was unphased. "He's nibbling my pocket," he said, delighted by the antics of said mouse.

It was a sweet encounter, really. But I was uncomfortable and left, making my way through the narrow aisles of collars, chew toys, and treats. For any hasty creeped-out feelings, I blame Steinbeck.
I can't stand to be alone in a store with a man ever since the murders of Lisa and Devon Manderach, a mother and infant killed while shopping at a local children's clothing store. The details are so horrible, that I'm getting choked up just remembering it. They built a huge playground as a memorial, but I've never been able to bring myself to go there. And I never, ever, allow myself to be alone with a salesman.
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 14:28
Yikes, what a horrible story. I feel so bad for the mother and child. I understand your precaution. I wonder if the mother even knew she would be alone with him, though, since the Wikipedia link says he locked the doors as soon as she walked in. No way to see that coming, I'm afraid. It's a scary world.

I wasn't alone, though. There were three or four other employees by the register when I walked in, and some other customers as well.
posted by Pips 08 August | 14:49
You mean you don't go into stores with just one clerk, jrossi4r?
posted by Hugh Janus 08 August | 15:28
Nope. Not if there's just one guy working and no other patrons, which is actually an extremely rare occurence. Most stores have at least two employees. And I'm cool in a mall-type setting where closing shop would mean doing something obvious like pulling down the gate. But a small, free-standing or strip mall shop with a lockable door and a guy I don't know? Can't do it. It gives me the willies.
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 15:37
That's really sad, jrossi4r. What has the world come to that anyone feels the need to judge every male in that way?

no, I'm not going off on one of my rants - I'm honestly sorry that you feel that way
posted by dg 08 August | 16:05
It's a weird hang-up, dg. I'm fully aware of that. It was just a really high profile, horrible case in an extremely peaceful area. I'd been to that shopping center a million times. I'd walked through the park where they found the baby a million times. It got to me and I can't shake it. Especially now that I have kids of my own.
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 16:21
Interesting. Generally it's the lone clerk, male or female, that's at risk. A lot more negative tales that way, I'd say. Robberies and all.

Jon worked at a newstand for awhile some years back, and I'd worry when he was alone nights.

(I can see how that would get to you, though, jrossi. A shopping center and park you knew so well. Such a random act. Scary. I can be rather cautious, too. The first apartment we looked at here in NYC had a fire escape leading up to the second floor window from a back alley, and I wouldn't rent it. Jon was pissed at the time. But it all worked out for the best; we like our current place better anyway. If I lived on the first floor, I'd have to have an alarm system, no matter where it was.)
posted by Pips 08 August | 16:37
(It's not every man, dg. It's to reasonably guard against the rare one. There's no denying they're out there, however few in number. Why make oneself an easy target if one can help it? Of course, most attacks on women are by men they know; but stranger attacks still exist.)
posted by Pips 08 August | 16:46
This was just a nice little story. Doesn't anybody like my story? It's a good story. *pouts*
posted by Pips 08 August | 16:48
lenEE, lenEE, lenEE

(sorry)
posted by danf 08 August | 17:09
It's a marvelous story, Pips. It was in fact such a good story that after I finished reading it, I thought, "I want to respond in some way, but I feel like posting something after that would somehow take away the poignancy of Pips' ending," so I didn't post anything. Then I felt bad about not saying "Great story!"

So: Great story!
posted by occhiblu 08 August | 17:29
Yeah, it was a nice story, Pips. I felt the creepy undercurrent that others did too, I guess.

jrossi4r, I see why you feel that way - it's a crying shame, but I can understand why. I guess it's another of those things that comes with the society we live in that we have to be scared of people in case they are bad rather than being able to trust people by default. All the more reason for us to pool our resources and drop out to create our own society where all the people are trusted friends and where we can live in peace and harmony. As long as we are still connected to the rest of the world via the Internet, of course. Yes, I've eaten my cake and I still want to keep it, please.
posted by dg 08 August | 17:35
Hey, dg, I like cake! And artifically restrictive social communities! Count me in!

Oh, wait... of those two things, I really only like cake.

Can I visit? If I bring cake? Though that might violate the point of the peaceful closed society. Bummer.

I sense that I've wandered from the point...

I liked your story, Pips, and I know the feeling you describe: some seemingly normal social encounter rings an off note. I tend to trust my instincts on those rare occasions. When I haven't, I've regretted it to one degree or another.
posted by Elsa 08 August | 18:02
What occhi said haha.
posted by CitrusFreak12 08 August | 18:23
Awe, you guys. *blushes*

Any island with you folks on it, count me in. As long as there's a nude beach for jon. And a Dairy Queen.

(nothing like fishing for accolades :)
posted by Pips 08 August | 18:41
Aw, Pips...I'm sorry I derailed your tale with my neurosis. It was a wonderful story.
posted by jrossi4r 08 August | 20:15
It is a good story, Pips, and I would have responded the same way.

Our next door neighbour is renting a room to a guy that gives me the creeps. He seems pleasant enough but there something that's just a wee bit ...off.
posted by deborah 08 August | 21:08
No worries, jrossi... you can derail me anytime. And I certainly understand the association. We can indulge our neurosis together. :)
posted by Pips 09 August | 09:22
Is that a monkey in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me? || There is a new guy in the cubicle next to mine.

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