While in Deweyville Texas, I was making another pass through what's left of their fair city, only to encounter a crotchety old man in the city right-of-way. I pulled over and remembered the area from the week previous.
His entire street was filled with debris that was stacked, pell mell, 10 feet high the entire length of the city block...all of it being next to his property.
My trucks went in there and took it all away in about six hours. I was just coming back through checking on their quality of work.
Expecting maybe a "thank you," I got out of my rental Trail Blazer and approached. The closer I got the more I could see this was not going to be a pleasant conversation. The old guy was livid!
The stalked over to me all stiff legged and looking like he had been sucking on a lemon. I greeted him and before I could get that greeting out fully, he lit in. "I'll tell you one damn thang, your damn trucks and bobcats just laid waste to this place. Just LOOK! Hell, I can't even MOW this right-of-way the way you left it. What the hell's wrong with you anyway???"
I looked at him, attempting to figure what small voices he had been listening to and said, "Sir, last week you could even SEE your precious right-of-way. I am in the debris removal business, not landscaping. If you have a problem, here's my boss's number. Have a great day in Jesus."
Well, he looked like I had smacked him with at 2 by 4 twixt the ears...for a moment. He drew in breath and started again. I asked him if he would have felt better about it all if he had been required to pay a few thousand dollars to have it hauled away. Abruptly I excused myself and departed with, "I must address a few more residents of your lovely city today. Tell me. Are they all belligerent in nature, or is it just you?"
I didn't give him chance to respond. I turned and mounted up, turned back to him, possum smiled at him and said "Good day, sir."
Don't get me wrong. There were uncounted hundreds of wonderful, broken, thankful people down there...and I remember many of them. But your post reminded me of one of FEW bad apples encountered during the Texas mission.
Have a great day.<><
aj
