I was recently at a moderately priced restaurant up in Austin last week having dinner. I was alone and as usual, got a few strange looks from people in the restaurant. I get that totally, people normally go out to eat and socialize. So when your by yourself it just seems to draw attention for whatever reason. Anyway I was enjoying my dinner, looking over some documents, and basically minding my own business. Anyway, two tables over there are three couples, around thirty years old, or close, also having dinner. Without any provocation from me, one of of the young ladies seems to be looking over at me
no matter when I happen to look in their direction. I intentionally did not look over for obvious reasons. I did not want any problems with a boyfriend or a husband. The fact that there were three guys at the table wasn't as bothersome as the fact that I'm alone, in a strange restaurant, busy, and just want to eat and get some sleep. That's it. If I needed anything more I've got my computer, and eccie.
Anyway about three quarters of the way through the meal I see that now, there's something else going on at the table. Seriously going on. The husband, or boyfriend, is apparently aggitated and is looking over at my table too. I'm kinda in an awkward situation here. I don't know whether to get up and leave, holler across the room to them to say "whats up", or kinda continue ignoring the whole thing. Which really isn't in my nature. It's obvious though, that I'm the reason this table is "coming apart". And I haven't done a thing. Really weird.
So I put my napkin on the table, stand up and start walking towards their table, nicely. I grab the waiter by his arm as I'm crossing the room and kinda pull him over with me. I thought I might need a witness to whatever was happening here.
Two of these three guys are standing up when I get over there, one of which is the boyfriend or husband, and the one of them looks at me and says "what the fuck is your problem old man"? My first reaction was just to grab him by his tie and drag him across the table. I mean really, you actually say that to someone you don't know? "What the fuck is your problem..."?
So with all the self control I could muster, cause really my hands were shaking, I said "listen gentleman, I'm sitting over there minding my own business trying to eat my dinner and for the last half hour every time I casually look around the room someone at this table is staring at me" How can I help you? In that moment, three things happened, in this order. The woman, the one who has been staring at me stands up and says "I'm sorry sir, you are a very attractive man, and it looks like your available, since I don't see a ring". "I'm with this piece of shit boy friend and his loser friends and I was just trying to make friends with some one new". "It's my fault, I apologize". Secondly, the boyfriend pulls out a gun and points it right at me and says "you mother fucker!!", and lastly (thank the God above) a detective from the Austin police dept steps up from behind this guy and with one quick movement lifts the guys arm and puts him in a stranglehold of some kind. I grab the gun out of this guys hands and in like two minutes there were three uniformed police charging through the door. After everything got sorted out I tried to pay and get out of there before the newspaper folks showed up, or some weird thing like that. The manger was all over himself insisting that payment wasn't necessary, here's a complimentary dinner pass, etc, etc. but he just wasn't letting me go. I
finally broke free of this restaurant and headed directly to the airport. I was not staying in Austin (which I love Austin) for one minute longer then I needed to. Wow
So that's Austin.......
What would you have done if you were me? I keep going over this thinking maybe there was some other way out of that mess. the other thing is that I travel a lot. I'm thinking I need to start paying someone to go out and dine with me. Of course not to Mickey D's or something. But what do you think?
please don't ask for the name of the restaurant.
Jack
Would you?
