Quite a few folks jetted off for a respite from the big city blues this holiday weekend, but – unfortunately – many others faced with tight budgets were forced to either embark on short out-of-town treks on the local highways or find other ways to celebrate and make happy.
Meanwhile, city dramas continued to unfold in Los Angeles (and elsewhere, I expect).
For example, last night I was picking up a few snacks in Rite Aid, when I spied a security guard shaking a young teen down for allegedly attempting to steal goods.
“I saw you take it out of the cooler and open it up,” the burly Latino guard accused, as the shopper (?) professed his alleged innocence up-and-down.
“I brought it into the store with me,” he snapped back, but the store employee was not going to let up.
“We have video cameras. I saw you on camera. If you don’t pay for it at the counter, I am going to call the police,” he threatened.
As I headed for the check-out stand to pay for my own groceries, the drama followed me across the floor.
“Sir, can you spare some change,” he pleaded with me – at which point - I half-turned to catch the look of distress on his face.
Now, I was faced with a drama of my own.
Should I give him some change to pay for the soft drink to save him from the clutches of the local men-in-blue or turn a cold shoulder like everyone else in the line?
I found myself reaching into my pocket and handing over a few coins as I proceeded forward to the cashier’s desk down-the-line.
Yes, there’s a sucker born every minute, eh?
But, the down-on-his-heels fellow was still short, unfortunately.
At this juncture, he began to desperately approach patrons in the store for a hand-out to avoid being arrested for “petty theft” and going to jail.
“Do you have any spare change,” he pleaded with another shopper nearby.
“I’m a Christian and I believe in God,” he said, in a bold-faced effort to court favor his way.
“I don’t fucking care if you’re a Christian,” the stranger angrily retorted in response.
But, after a second, the gent relented and managed to cough up a few coins of the realm, too.
By the time we got to the cashier, the poor kid was still short.
At this point, he approached me once again.
“Sir, can you please help me?”
At this point, it crossed my mind that if I caved in – and saved the light-fingered lad from being arrested – that I would probably be criticized for helping what was probably – ‘til now - a common thief.
“He’ll go on to commit a bigger crime,” I could hear them scoff.
“And, you’ll be to blame!”
Maybe that was why the others were so reluctant to help in the store?
It was quite the dilemma I was faced with.
God asked to take mercy, so I did.
Amen!
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