7 Aug 12

This from a student in the Midwest:

“Yesterday evening, my wife and I were out on our usual evening walk. We live in a quiet, upscale, suburban neighborhood.

Suddenly, a local taxicab came up behind us, beeped his horn, slowed to a stop, and, through the open passenger-side window, the driver asked, ‘… where’s the closest gas station?’

I kept my distance, as I thought it odd a local cab driver would ask such a question. My support-side hand grabbed my flashlight (it was dusk), while my strong-side hand immediately reached into my front pocket and acquired a firm, master-grip on my S&W J-frame revolver. The revolver remained out of sight, but I was confident I could draw it quickly when necessary.

Foolishly, I began to answer the driver’s question concerning gas stations. I should have adhered to my training and politely dismissed him.

My hesitation opened the door!

The passenger-side, rear door suddenly flung open, and a passenger rapidly got out, yelling in an angry voice, ‘Where the hell is Byron Street?’ He stayed behind the door, where I could not see his hands.

Now, I knew I was in trouble! I bladed my stance, stepped to the side, glanced behind me, and said loudly and emphatically, ‘I’m sorry, gentlemen, but we can’t help you!’ My wife moved behind me.

Without another word, the passenger quickly got back inside, closed the door, and the cab sped away. No weapon was ever brandished, and the entire affair consumed less than ten seconds!

We made it home safely. Never saw the cab again.

Lessons confirmed:

1) Don’t get too comfortable, no matter how familiar the setting

2) Go armed! Your pistol and flashlight need to be always on you and ready to be deployed at a moment’s notice

3) Don’t blunder into the spider’s web! Be alert. Don’t answer questions. Keep your distance. Move laterally. Aggressively disengage and separate.

4) Have a plan! People with you need to know their role too.”

Comment:

I’ve used this quotation before, but it is eminently appropriate here:

“A superior man, when resting in safety, forgets not that peril is ever present. When in a state of security, he forgets not that ruin is only a breath away. When all is orderly, he forgets not that chaos ever hovers over him.

Thus, his state and clans are preserved.”

Confucius

/John