I Predict A Riot...
Yet another chapter in the 'Cowardice Chronicles' for Ponting.
Was just going for a meeting with a client out of the office with my manager Gayle, and just as we got outside 2 people came hurdling out of Boots.
One was a security guard, and one a tramp looking bloke that had clearly nicked something.
The guy somehow was half on a bike and trying to get on it to escape, while him and this security guard just kinda tussled with eachother.
The guy got off his bike and tried to run, but the security guard knocked the goods out of his hands, while also managing to keep hold of the guys bike quite miraculously. The guy seemed in two minds about this. Did he just leg it, or go back for his bike.
It was at this point that he started feeling around in his jacket. It was very obvious that he was going for a weapon. Thankfully he thought better of it and just ran off, as he could have pulled a knife or even a gun out!
But fair play to the security guard, managed to get the goods back, and knick the guys bike! ha ha!
But what was I doing through all this? Standing watching.
In all fairness so were about 20 other people, including some very hefty builders.
This time I'm not feeling so guilty though, as the last time I witnessed a shopkeeper being assaulted I stood back and thought to myself, you should do something you pussy. But I didn't.
This time, the only thing on my mind was making sure Gayle was safe. All I did was try to posistion myself in between her and the ruckus. Except she kept moving round me when I did!! Clearly wanting a better view of what was going on.
It wasn't until afterwards when we carried on, and she said its awful isn't it. So many people, and all they did was stand and watch, that I felt a little twitch of guilt.
But again, nothing I could have done except get roughed up! Thankfully no real punches were thrown or anything, and even more thankfully he decided against pulling out a weapon!
Kinda different I guess as well when it is a proffessional thing.
You wouldn't think to help a policeman chase someone down now would you?
But again, just made me feel fairly cowardly. But I'm alright, the security guard was fine, the thief lost his bike, and most importantly Gayle was fine, so I'm not gonna lose any sleep over it like I did last time.
Still shook me up though. And I could see that Gayle was racing from it. Just not what you expect in Windsor of all places!