Saturday, July 02, 2011

Is There a Problem, Officer?

We worked hard this morning cleaning the boys' room. Yes, I've been watching episodes of "Hoarders" again. It is my motivation. I have a deep and abiding (though not very rational) fear that my life could spiral out of control and before I know if I will have stacks of fifteen year old National Geographics and Styrofoam meat trays creating mazes through my home that I will have to navigate as I shuffle around wondering where I left my teeth. Actually it would more likely be mountains of Legos and stacks of little boys jeans with holey knees. But I digress. Anyway, we worked long and hard and made major cleaning-out progress. This afternoon we rewarded ourselves with a trip to the movies to see "Cars 2".

When we got the the theater we still had several minutes until the movie started so David decided to run to K-Mart and pick up some candy to smuggle in. We do that occasionally. We just can't stomach paying $4.00+ for a box of Junior Mints. While he was gone we went in and took our seats. The previews were just starting when he got back.

He had literally run to K-Mart. It is only maybe 300 yards or so from the theater. He bought some Sugar Babies and JuJubes and started walking back to the theater. As he was crossing the parking lot of an empty appliance store he noticed a police car. It pulled out and slowly started following him. Sure enough, the officer wanted to talk to him. The conversation went something like this.
      Officer: Sir, I noticed that you ran across this parking lot a few minutes ago. You aren't wearing running clothes and I just wondered what you were doing.
      David: I'm going to the movies with my family and I was just buying some candy to bring in.
     Officer: Oh Okay. I do that too sometimes. But would you mind showing me some ID?
(At this point she had called in another officer for back-up so another officer arrived on the scene. Yes, really.)
     David: No, I don't mind (he starts to take out his wallet), but I know you. I am actually your next door neighbor.
(Pause. Recognition dons on the face of the officer. She looks slightly embarrassed.)
     Officer: Oh! You're the guy with the greyhound. Don't worry about it. Put your wallet away. Uh, sorry. Enjoy your movie.

At this point David left (chuckling to himself,  I'm sure) and made his way back to the theater to join us. I realize she was just doing her job and being a good police officer. Apparently the movie theater tends to be a place where trouble makers congregate in our town. I guess maybe David looked a little suspicious in his hat and sunglasses (in his defense he was wearing a cross country t-shirt and cross trainers so it wasn't like he was running across the parking lot in wingtips or anything though). At any rate, it makes a good story.

Did I ever mention that we live next to not one, but two police officers? The man is a k-9 officer and his grown daughter lives with him and she is the officer that David had the "run-in" with this afternoon. It actually makes me feel pretty safe while we are at home. I guess I need to watch out for weirdos by the movie theater though.



5 comments:

Ruthykins said...

Now that's a great story. Made me chuckle.

Danielle said...

Only you guys...:D I thought he was going to get busted for contraband at the theater!

Heidi said...

Garry heard me laughing out loud, so I told him this story. Excellent! I'm glad David didn't get arrested for smuggling candy into the theater.

Heather O said...

That was awesome, totally made my day with a great laugh!

Linda said...

Great story! but a little worrisome that just running across a parking lot is suspicious behavior in Auburn. Of course, anyone running in this heat and humidity must be crazy so maybe it's a valid way for the police to profile people. LOL!