Tales from the Trail #16: A mishmash of misunderstanding in Memphis …
I started to get more & more heavily rained upon as I proceeded that afternoon (which really wasn’t too annoying, seeing as how my waterproof bag was thoroughly protected from the elements and the cool raindrops actually made the still-ultra-warm day much more pleasant for walking), and so I went ahead and stuck my thumb out as I walked; offering dozens of vehicular passers-by the opportunity to “win the lottery”, as it were, by rescuing a Peace Pilgrim from the inclement weather. Almost needless to say, of course, not a single Soul accepted that greatest of gifts that day – a fact that frankly didn’t bother me in the slightest at the time …
So I simply walked on & on & on though the light but steady rains, relatively soon coming across a roadside business – MC Custom Cabinets – that was located just on the initial outskirts of the quaint hamlet of Memphis, Indiana. As I mentioned before, I was getting rained on pretty intensely by that time, and so I smilingly made my way to the company’s open door and let myself in with a warm greeting and an immediate explanation (to a surprised yet also smiling secretary) as to what I was doing out in the rain that day and why. I then asked if it was possible to come inside just to sit and dry off there for a few minutes, and yet the head of the company, who happened to be standing beside the secretary at the time, coldly looked me up and down and then dismissively – almost condescendingly – said “No. We can’t have you in here.” I was admittedly surprised by his rude demeanor, and yet smiled nonetheless and told him that his decision was fine by me. I then headed right back out onto their tiny front porch to rest for a few moments before heading back to The Road, and yet no sooner did I do so than the aforementioned “boss” loudly locked the door behind me (while mumbling something derogatory in my direction, no less) and then proceeded to set his truck’s car alarm remotely immediately thereafter as well, effectively tripling down on his initial lack of common courtesy. As far me, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud when he did so, noting (also out loud – loud enough for them both to hear me inside) while I did so that I was literally the very last person on earth they should ever need to fear or suspect of robbery. I then I wished them both a warm & wholehearted farewell, and made my way back out – into the rain and onto The Road.
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