Gunpoint

This is a bit far off from what I generally write about, but I figured I’d share an, er, exciting experience with you all. Late last week I was jumped into the “people who have been robbed at gunpoint” club. For those of you who are not a part of this club, congratulations! For those who are, I feel your pain, sort of. The final result actually ended up with me having a positive $75.

Now, some of you may shrug something like a gun pointed at your face as nothing to bothersome. Hell, you may even be right. However, what perturbed me was that the place I was robbed at was right in front of my apartment. Needless to say, that’s makes my general place of sanctity a bit less, um, sanctimonious?

Allow me to retell the event for you… *fadey bubbly flashback cloud & noise*

I am out in front of my apartment talking to my mom on my cell phone, minding my own business. Now, my apartment is the kind with an outdoor hallway all the doors are located in. Well, about 30 minutes into the conversation I notice a black guy wearing a jacket with a hood walking toward my general direction. Not thinking much of it, I look toward my left, into the hallway. Oddly enough, I notice there is another black guy who is walking toward my direction as well.

Now, I should mention that I’ve spent a considerable amount of time involved in all sorts of military simulation sports. Naturally, between too much milisim and one too many spy movies, my paranoia kicks in. I immediately conclude they are trying to come at me from two different angles to block me off… albeit doing a poor job of it (one at 12, one at 9 or 10). Seeing them coming I back away from any kind of spot where they would have the upper hand, I am also backing into the light to ensure that I can get a good look at them. After a few steps I stop and think to myself “That’s ridiculous! These guys are just walking toward you!” So I stop all together and continue the conversation with my mother.

Stopping was a stupid mistake. A few moments later both of them (about 6′2″ and around 180lbs ) are standing in front of me (about 6′). I’m still talking to my mom on the phone. There was probably around 6 seconds or so where I was looking at them while I was talking on the phone. At that rate I figured they were going to let me finish my conversation. Unfortunately I wasn’t so lucky. The guy with the hood pulled out a handgun and pointed it gangsta style at my face.

“I wonder if it’s fake. Actually, I wonder what kind of gun that is. It’s not a glock. Obviously not a biretta. It does look familiar, though.” Was the first thought to pop into my head. I almost asked until it dawned on me that I was being robbed… while I was on the phone.

“Hold on one sec.” I said to my mom.

“Give me your wallet.” says Mr. Robber.

“I don’t have my wallet.” I respond. I didn’t, not that it would have mattered if I was lying.

Silence.

“Well… then give me your phone.” Mr. Robber was still pointing the gun at me.

Apparently they had no qualms with my excuse. I looked to his friend and shrugged while handing over my phone. “Fair enough.”

Mr. Robber & Friend took the phone, hung up on my mom (quite rude, I must say), kindly removed the gun from my face, turned around, and briskly walked away.

To quicken the pace a bit, from there I called 911, and then called my mom back as I thought she would be worried. Apparently I was so calm throughout the whole thing that she thought I was talking to a friend of mine.

Anyways, the next day I reported the armed robbery to the front office of the apartments. Quite conveniently, they found my cell phone (which I had reported stolen) in the back parking lot. I called AT&T and got my phone re-activated and $75 off my next retail purchase in the event that my phone didn’t work right. So in the end, I ended up with a positive cash flow of $75. I’m not sure if $75 is worth looking over my shoulder at night when I walk to my own home, but hey, It’s something I guess.