11/12/01 - Oh what a night! It was at about 2:30 a.m. when I heard a rather large boom followed by a piercing screech. What the heck was that? I couldn't get up to check it out as I had about six calls on hold, all emergencies. It had already been a hell of a night. As soon as I could, I went to check it out. I wasn't feeling too brave. I work the graveyard shift alone. The front door was locked with nothing unusual outside. I peeked out the little window in the back door. Oh shit! The chain link fence between the tow company lot and our parking lot was laying on the ground just inches from my poor little car. Damn, I was going to have to call the police again. Last time I did that I was asked all kinds of questions because they didn't know I was there. I thought they knew now. Nope, all kinds of questions again. Who are you and why are you there. I felt like saying, nevermind, wrong number. I notifed my tow driver from that yard. I had just given him a credit card authorization by radio. He said he would head to the yard and notify the owner. Then I got on the phone to my boss. I was alone physically, but I sure wasn't going to go through this alone mentally as well. Why was I feeling so suspect? The police officer asked for my home phone number and picutre ID. Then he asked if I was right or left handed. What was all that about? I thought I was the good guy. My boss reminded me that the whole incident should be on tape as the cameras roll 24/7. The police told me to call the owner and have him come down so they could view the tape. So, I called the owner. He's 75+ years old and it's 3 a.m. I didn't think this was going to go over so well. Well, the joke was on us. He hadn't put any tape in the camera last night. Oh well! The officer left to gather evidence. I asked for his name and he told me it was Keith. Oh great, I know a cop on a first name basis. The next chance I got I went out to take a look and there were four police cars and two tow trucks in our lot. It turns out someone stole a truck from the tow lot and plowed through our chain link fence to get away. About an hour and a half later the excitement died down and it was quiet again. Almost quiet. My heart was still pounding.
After that I made a phone call. It's been years since I've had someone to call at 4:30 a.m. I was told I could call any time. I tried it out. It worked. At least for a few moments I felt calm and peaceful and all was right with the world again. I managed to get it together untill Pris got in at 5:30. Then I sort of fell apart. She let me go have my lunch and get some air. The sky was awsome. It was all aglow. There were dark forboding rain clouds out in the distance and a slight wind. But that glow was just incredible. Right before I left the office there was news of the plane crash in Queens. I wished us all a good day as I headed home.
These events almost squashed the remarkable weekend memories of Monterey I had just experienced. Well, almost ... |
