do you ever look at some stars and think, is that star watching me?
Well, after we dropped off TJ at Rosa's, we went to A&R. We came out, and while passing the Rover, Matt put a bag of stuff in. We walked down to Casa Economica and Maya Tortilla. We took our time.
Upon our return, I noticed that the cooler was open. I asked Matt about it. He looked in the vehicle and noticed the back seat was down. We'd been robbed!
Matt went directly to the nearest grocery store, which we were kind of parked in front of, and asked to see the video. We backed up 15 minutes in time. The big screen 70" or 80"? It was HUGE and right at the entrance/exit of the store. A man behind a counter held the remote and lead the hunt.
I was a little off on the timing. We watched about a minute of video before Matt and I passed the frame. (as people passed in and out of the store, they stopped to watch the drama unfold) Soon after, some dude comes up. The folks in the store start shouting something. We think we hear, "that's their, that's theif." He casually watches the vehicle and looks around. More people arrive at the store and announce, "yeah, that's him. that's the guy." He then opens the door, grabs the bag and sets it out. He then returns to the vehicle, gets inside and after a bit, comes out. He get's in one last time and leaves. Everyone confirms it's the person they know, who's name is Steve, not thief.
After watching the video, we go toward the vehicle. I think Matt was ready to go look for the guy. Fortunately, the grocery store called the police. They found us down at the corner and told us that an officer would be coming soon. The officer was a real nice guy. He listened to us and the people at the store. He watched the video and agreed that it's Steve. Steve has a history of this sort of thing. Nobody knows Steve's last name. The officer told us to go file a report, and meet him down at the station. Matt told the officer that he liked his bike. It was some nice foreign shit. They agreed the bike was cool and we parted.
On the way to the police station, we had to stop and pick something up for our friend down the road. We saw his lady friend who gave us 2 bags of sweets to pass along. The lady confirmed that Steve is wearing a black shirt and is a thief. She encouraged us to have no sympathy for him. She's known him to steal a phone.
When we arrived at the police station, I suggested that I go to the library, while Matt file the report. He agreed. As he was in there, I returned books and sat outside to gather my thoughts. I wanted to read, but didn't have the patience. I really wanted to move. I thought that picking up the trash in the yard at the library would make me feel good, so I went in to ask if it was okay. As I was explaining to them why I wanted to do such a task, I mentioned "Steve." They said, "Steve is right around here somewhere! I think he's drunk." Having just encountered a ration of people who knew Steve without a last name, I thought it must be Steve. If that was him, I'd have to tell someone!
I went directly to the police station. I didn't want to encounter an angry thief, so I did not approach Steve. I walked into the least fungi shui looking joint ever. As soon as one enters, they are assaulted with rooms built out into the small entry. It's crowded too. I'm sure there were people sitting on top of each other to save space. I spoke to Matt directly, and in front of everyone. Three officers left to get the guy. They told Matt to stay inside. Peering out the window, we saw them lean down to get someone. I knew instantly, it was the wrong guy. I went outside and told them. The cops were already handcuffing him! I got the feeling I should move out of the scene, so I went back to the library, slightly embarrassed for just sicking the cops on some dude washing cars.
Next, Matt and I were both informed by the librarian, and the officer, that that guy is also "Steve" and he spends much of his time in the police station or in jail. There are actually two Steves with bad raps! Everyone had a little laugh about that. Except the Steve who got handcuffed. Poor guy. I hope they didn't rough him up too much.
Matt told me later that all the officers he dealt with were very easy to talk to. He said they were really busy too. The phone rang many times while he was filing the report. One call was an elderly woman in distress needing a ride to the hospital. The officer writes down the address, hangs up, and starts asking other officers about the ambulance situation. Another officer points to the wall where a scruffy list of phone numbers is taped to the wall just beneath the Burger Hut menu.
Oh. By the way. We were at one of my favorite restaurants the other day and a bus load of people in matching purple shirts came up. When we got a good look at the logo, it clearly read, "Police Drama Group." There was a happy/sad drama mask and a badge adorning the text. We pondered over what the police drama group might be doing, and joked that you'd think they get enough drama at their jobs. In any case, it is impressive, the number of roles some people will have in a community.
Of course, I can't help but think of Spoon River Anthology - the thief poem, which I usually do sympathize with. Then I remember that Steve didn't take any food. There are all the other characters too, living here. and, everywhere else too.
If we edit our own character, does that edited piece transfer to another spot in the universe?
