What He Didn't See

Joe and I were having a quick bite and both of us noticed a situation developing. We stopped talking and watched, waiting to see if we needed to do anything. I had a note pad out, as Joe and I had been making a 'to do' list over lunch, on that pad I took quick notes about what I was seeing and getting a good description of the man involved.

A woman with an intellectual disability, though she was quite small in size and stature, looked as if she were in her mid to late twenties. She was working diligently at her job of cleaning an area of the building. A man, looking to approach 60, passed by her several times, getting closer each time. It was this behaviour that we noticed. When he finally got close enough to speak to her, our nerves were on edge, I had a good enough description to give to the police if it was ever needed. My notes were meticulous, times and everything. I am and always have been good at documenting observations. Its part of what I do for a living.

When he spoke to her, he leaned right in to her, his face hovering right by her ear. She looked up startled. Not frightened, startled, there is a difference. She took two steps back from him, put her finger out towards him and told him, in no uncertain terms, "Back off and leave me alone or I will call security." She was loud enough to be heard even over where we were, several people stopped and looked. The man, who prowled in secret now became incredibly visible.

He fled the scene. (I always wanted to write that.)

It doesn't end there. As we finished up, we saw her talking to a security guard, who mush have been called by someone who had seen the interaction and she was listening and taking notes. I could see that we were not needed but even so, we gave the security guards our names as we left.

That man thought he saw a 'good victim' but what he ran into was a 'powerful woman.'

If I could I'd jump into the air with glee. I'll have to hope that at least one of you will do that for me.