"I was raped and robbed yesterday."
A woman (very normal looking) walked into the Costume Shop on Saturday and those were the first words that came out of her mouth. What followed was a 6-minute monologue documenting everything from the social and economic aftermath of the Vietnam War to an examination of the Peace Corps application process, and a philosophical discussion of the War on Terror.
Her soliloquy concluded with an inquiry as to where the nearest Western Union was. She said that the veteran journalists she worked for were sending her a large sume of money that she was going to use buy a sailor suit at the shop. None of us knew where the Western Union was, and we would have gladly told her just to get her out of the shop. She whipped a little book out of her bag, flipped through some pages, and said it was on Harrison Street.
We all scrambled to give her directions to Harrison Street - and then she interjected - "Wait, I was raped and robbed yesterday. Please go slowly. Now again, how do I get to Harrison street?"
Cutie E took over and gave her pretty pointed directions. She repeated the directions and then gathered her umbrella and made for the door. She looked at my wig - and then asked how much red wigs were. Cutie E quoted her a price range, but that wasn't good enough. She needed more detail. So he gave her a 30 second run down on the pricing and selection of red wigs. Satisfied, she provided us with another 2 minute socio-political disseretation. And then as quickly as she came, she was gone.
It was a good 60 seconds before any of us said anything. We were all awed and stunned. Then Terry, our manager breaks the ice and tells Peaches to tell her friends to not visit her for so much time at work. We laughed and then recounted the situation.
For most of us, it was the first time we were held captive to *Crazy*, *Educated Crazy* at that! Usually, one encounters *Crazy* on the street in the form of a rambling vagabond, or a maniacal passerby, but it is rare than *Crazy* walks into one's place of work, delivers a speech, and leaves. It was frightening, beautiful, and amazing.
During the 6-minute speech, my co-workers, Cutie E, Crockett, Peaches, and I, experienced the same flood of emotions. Initially, sorrow at her opening lines. Then confusion at her political doctrine. Next, intrigue, as you begin to wonder if she is crazy or if she is just a stage perfomer still in character (we get all kinds at the Costume Shop). Eventually, you resolve that's it's lunacy, and it just becomes funny and awkward, and you're wishing she would leave so that you can laugh and reminisce about it.
Her soliloquy concluded with an inquiry as to where the nearest Western Union was. She said that the veteran journalists she worked for were sending her a large sume of money that she was going to use buy a sailor suit at the shop. None of us knew where the Western Union was, and we would have gladly told her just to get her out of the shop. She whipped a little book out of her bag, flipped through some pages, and said it was on Harrison Street.
We all scrambled to give her directions to Harrison Street - and then she interjected - "Wait, I was raped and robbed yesterday. Please go slowly. Now again, how do I get to Harrison street?"
Cutie E took over and gave her pretty pointed directions. She repeated the directions and then gathered her umbrella and made for the door. She looked at my wig - and then asked how much red wigs were. Cutie E quoted her a price range, but that wasn't good enough. She needed more detail. So he gave her a 30 second run down on the pricing and selection of red wigs. Satisfied, she provided us with another 2 minute socio-political disseretation. And then as quickly as she came, she was gone.
It was a good 60 seconds before any of us said anything. We were all awed and stunned. Then Terry, our manager breaks the ice and tells Peaches to tell her friends to not visit her for so much time at work. We laughed and then recounted the situation.
For most of us, it was the first time we were held captive to *Crazy*, *Educated Crazy* at that! Usually, one encounters *Crazy* on the street in the form of a rambling vagabond, or a maniacal passerby, but it is rare than *Crazy* walks into one's place of work, delivers a speech, and leaves. It was frightening, beautiful, and amazing.
During the 6-minute speech, my co-workers, Cutie E, Crockett, Peaches, and I, experienced the same flood of emotions. Initially, sorrow at her opening lines. Then confusion at her political doctrine. Next, intrigue, as you begin to wonder if she is crazy or if she is just a stage perfomer still in character (we get all kinds at the Costume Shop). Eventually, you resolve that's it's lunacy, and it just becomes funny and awkward, and you're wishing she would leave so that you can laugh and reminisce about it.