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/BG/ Several years ago, my sister-in-law had a cyst removed from her C-4 vertebra. For almost a year, she had problems with balance and gait, both before and after the surgery. During this period, she applied for and received a disabled parking permit, which she quite properly retired after her medical issues resolved. /End BG/
During this time period, her daughter (my niece) graduated from Great Big Football Playing University. Keep in mind, this is a university where the alumni include some Very Prominent People with lots of money and influence. (This factoid comes into play later).
We parked our one vehicle in the disabled parking lot near the football stadium where the graduation ceremonies were to take place. This parking lot was clearly labeled for disabled parking only, and had been set aside specifically for people with mobility issues. We got there just in time: as we were wheeling SIL out of the lot, the security guard at the lot entrance was placing a "Full - No Parking" sign at the entrance. Apparently, after placing the sign, she left. She was probably badly needed elsewhere due to the congested traffic.
When we returned to the parking lot, a car with NO permit was parked IN THE ENTRANCE OF THE DISABLED LOT! It was a single lane entrance, so no one could exit the lot until Mr. Jackhole returned to move his car. An angry crowd soon gathered around Mr. Jackhole's ride. Some of them were recognizable as local well known VIPs. I was expecting the hot tar, flaming torches, and pitchforks to make an appearance at any minute.
Mr. Jackhole soon appeared, and seemed surprised to see the seething crowd surrounding his vehicle. He apparently thought he would simply get in his car and drive away, no harm, no foul. He found himself confronted nose-to-nose by a number of persons who, yes indeed, ARE lawyers! And local politicians. And wealthy alumni who pay out a lot of money to Great Big Football Playing University. They all proceeded to take turns verbally ripping Mr. Jackhole a new one. The language was unbelievable. The mildest label I heard applied to Mr. Jackhole was "F***ing Dumbass!"
Mr.Jackhole even attempted to justify himself, saying "But there was nowhere else to park!" This statement simply made his predicament worse, as the volume of the group diatribe easily doubled.
During the melee, the security guard made her reappearance, with ticket book in hand. She took her turn tearing into Mr. Jackhole while writing his ticket. She also warned him that if he violated the campus speed limit by so much as ONE mile over the limit, she would be writing another ticket.
Mr. Jackhole, trying to salvage the remaining shreds of his manly dignity, muttered "Fisher Price toy cop" under his breath. The security guard, who weighed probably 100 pounds at the most, stopped writing, fixed him with a steely glare, and bellowed, "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Mr. Jackhole revealed his true nature by hurriedly and abjectly denying that he had said anything at all.
His exit from the parking lot was the slowest drive of shame I have ever witnessed.
And much scornful laughter and finger pointing followed him on the drive of shame.
During this time period, her daughter (my niece) graduated from Great Big Football Playing University. Keep in mind, this is a university where the alumni include some Very Prominent People with lots of money and influence. (This factoid comes into play later).
We parked our one vehicle in the disabled parking lot near the football stadium where the graduation ceremonies were to take place. This parking lot was clearly labeled for disabled parking only, and had been set aside specifically for people with mobility issues. We got there just in time: as we were wheeling SIL out of the lot, the security guard at the lot entrance was placing a "Full - No Parking" sign at the entrance. Apparently, after placing the sign, she left. She was probably badly needed elsewhere due to the congested traffic.
When we returned to the parking lot, a car with NO permit was parked IN THE ENTRANCE OF THE DISABLED LOT! It was a single lane entrance, so no one could exit the lot until Mr. Jackhole returned to move his car. An angry crowd soon gathered around Mr. Jackhole's ride. Some of them were recognizable as local well known VIPs. I was expecting the hot tar, flaming torches, and pitchforks to make an appearance at any minute.
Mr. Jackhole soon appeared, and seemed surprised to see the seething crowd surrounding his vehicle. He apparently thought he would simply get in his car and drive away, no harm, no foul. He found himself confronted nose-to-nose by a number of persons who, yes indeed, ARE lawyers! And local politicians. And wealthy alumni who pay out a lot of money to Great Big Football Playing University. They all proceeded to take turns verbally ripping Mr. Jackhole a new one. The language was unbelievable. The mildest label I heard applied to Mr. Jackhole was "F***ing Dumbass!"
Mr.Jackhole even attempted to justify himself, saying "But there was nowhere else to park!" This statement simply made his predicament worse, as the volume of the group diatribe easily doubled.
During the melee, the security guard made her reappearance, with ticket book in hand. She took her turn tearing into Mr. Jackhole while writing his ticket. She also warned him that if he violated the campus speed limit by so much as ONE mile over the limit, she would be writing another ticket.
Mr. Jackhole, trying to salvage the remaining shreds of his manly dignity, muttered "Fisher Price toy cop" under his breath. The security guard, who weighed probably 100 pounds at the most, stopped writing, fixed him with a steely glare, and bellowed, "WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" Mr. Jackhole revealed his true nature by hurriedly and abjectly denying that he had said anything at all.
His exit from the parking lot was the slowest drive of shame I have ever witnessed.
And much scornful laughter and finger pointing followed him on the drive of shame.
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