Have you ever wondered how you would react in a potentially dangerous situation? This morning I got real life experience and I’m happy to report that my natural instincts kicked in.
My day started out as normal. I left for work earlier than usual because our computer guy was arriving first thing in the morning to work on a project. My co-worker had a morning appointment and needed me to unlock the office. I work in a small office and I am careful to keep the door locked when I am working alone. My office is a rental unit in a larger office building and it would be easy for someone to walk in off the street. So when Mr. Computer Guy (whom I’d met before) knocked on the door I naturally unlocked the door and let him in to do his thing. I went back to my desk.
About five minutes later I heard a second knock on the door. Not expecting anyone else, I walked to the door only to find an unknown man standing in the reception area. I quickly scanned his clothing for identification and it was clear that he wasn’t a delivery person. I asked why he was standing there. He mumbled something to the effect of “I’m here to install the cable for Mr. Computer Guy.” It was then that I noticed that Mr. Computer Guy had left the office and that I was all alone with a stranger (I’ll call him Creepy Guy #1). I was almost put at ease by the fact that Creepy Guy #1 knew Mr. Computer Guy’s first name.
That is until…
Creepy Guy #1 walked between myself and the door and proceeded to lock the deadbolt. That would be about the time that my adrenaline started pumping! I quickly unlocked the deadbolt and asked accusingly, “Why did you lock the door?” I was simultaneously urging myself to get out of the office as quickly as possible. Non-criminal cable guys do not lock deadbolts. As I opened the door I saw that a second stranger was standing in the doorway talking on his cellphone (Creepy Guy #2). I quickly stepped into the hallway and made my way towards the exit doors which face a busy street. Meanwhile, Creepy Guy #1 is trying to explain that he locked the door to play a practical joke on Creepy Guy #2. When Creepy Guy #1 saw that I was getting the heck outta there, he and Creepy Guy #2 exited the building through the back staircase.
Now what? I really didn’t have a plan other than leave. I was at least relieved to discover that my cell phone and car keys were in my pocket. I started dialing 911 but I changed my mind after the creepy guys left. I called my husband instead. He advised me to wait in my car until my co-worker arrived. It was good advice but first I wanted to retrieve my purse from my office. The last thing I wanted to do was walk into an empty office by myself so I knocked on the door of a neighboring office and asked if someone could go with me. While I was explaining the situation, Mr. Computer Guy reemerged. I shared my story and it turns out Creepy Guy was the cable guy he had hired. Mr. Computer Guy called Creepy Guy #1 and confirmed my story. Creepy Guy still tried to say that he locked the door as a practical joke. Well, umm, not funny. Mr. Computer Guy went back to work in my office. I retrieved my purse and waited in the hallway until my co-worker and boss arrived.
In case you are wondering, Creepy Guy is not invited back to finish the job.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
And non-creepy husband is glad he has neither a concealed weapons license nor a weapon to conceal.
Good job trusting your instincts. Creep cable guys should be creepy unemployed guys who can pull their pranks at the unemployment office.
just call 911. creepy guys who try locking doors should spend time explaining their motives to people in uniforms who do carry guns!
That IS creepy. And so NOT funny. I’m glad everything turned out okay…and I’m doubly glad that he wasn’t invited back to finish the job.
Very creepy! Sounds like you kept your wits about you! Not sure what I would have done in that situation but better safe than sorry, right?
As for the cheese question, it is worth it and totally fun. And really not very hard at all. Just the seasonings..that I need to work on, but that kind of cheese isn’t really known for it’s flavor right? More of a rich, creamy kind of bland tasting cheese.
Wow, way to keep your cool. Sometimes I think, what would a guy do? I bet they would feel scared too.
Scary…you’re my “hero” for acting w/ presence of mind…or is that when adredaline & instinct kick in? Anyway, I’m not sure I would have been as brave.
Yikes! I hope that guy was fired!