Earlier today I had to call into HQ for a conference call with my boss and some coworkers. So I found a big gas station at a cross-roads of a state highway in rural Mississippi that had some satellite parking spots away from the building. I figured that'd be a good place to camp out for the hour or so I'd need.
So I back in to the spot, call the 800 number, and the conference call commences. About twenty minutes into it I notice a "gentleman" walking across the street from the gas station on the other corner. He's walking towards my car and looking at me.
While I was responding to a question from the boss I realize something's not right. He was wearing a sport coat and slacks, but they were older and not quite "business ready". It was as if he picked them up at the local thrift store (didn't fit right, worn, etc). Further, he was sweaty and seemed far too interested in me. My spidey senses were going into overdrive at this point.
As he crosses the street he starts yelling "hey!" at me. Fortunately I was again saying something so I was overly animated to get the point across that I was on the phone. At the same time I glanced over in such a way that he knew I saw him but then proceeded to ignore him.
To keep it short, he called out "hey" several more times and I kept talking or taking notes while making it clear I wasn't going to respond to him.
Ultimately, he walked right in front of my car looking in the window at me. I locked eyes with him and did the male "head nod" thing. Again, I wanted him to know I knew he was there, but wasn't paying along.
He walked the thirty yards to the gas station and looked back several times. I just continued to keep an eye on him.
After the call wrapped up I realized that I had left the engine running. Wish I could say I was such an operator that I planned that.
Maybe I'm making up a scenario in my head that didn't exist but I'm pretty sure he planned to knock on my window and "ask" for money. Perhaps he had more evil plans in mind, who knows. Either way, I think he saw a distracted business guy on the phone while he was hanging at the other gas station and decided to give a try with the "I'm broken down and need money" ploy.
Random thoughts:
* The backing into the parking spot I planned. The engine on I didn't. Next time I'll be sure to keep it running. Either way, I think these played a role in his decision to move on.
* I did pull my sportcoat back so if needed I could draw my G23 more easily, however, I forgot to unbuckle the seatbelt.
* Replaying it my mind, I think my "I see you sport but I'm not playing along" routine coupled with clearly being aware of his movements, being a position to drop it into gear and drive off, along with the "go the fuck away" vibes I was sending lessened my desirability as a target.
* Assuming my alarm bells weren't a false positive (and they weren't), a huge reminder that shit can go down in the middle of the day, on a busy state highway, in the side (but highly visable) parking lot of a major chain gas station.
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