When I was in college one night, I worked late at the library and then needed to catch the last bus home. A space invader sat down next to me as I waited and began alternately making comments and inching closer and closer to me. At first I just edged away uncomfortably, but that can only go so far on a bench! I thought about going back inside the student union, but I would have had to stay all night; there was nobody to call and come get me if I missed that bus. So instead I turned to face the man.
I let my lower lip begin to tremble, and then said in a high, childish voice, “Are you a … STWANGER?”
As I continued, I kept escalating my voice until I was shouting. “My momma told me NEVER to talk to STWANGERS! If you’re a stwanger and I’m talking to you I am gonna get in so much twouble, and my momma’s gonna be mad, and you’re a STWANGER … ”
By this time, of course, the man was off the bench and backing up fast, sputtering, “Lady, I never touched you … hey, lay off, calm down …. ” I just kept on, now “blubbering” a bit (actually, trying hard not to laugh), and he turned tail and ran off.
– Aelie
Location: The corner of 24th and Guadalupe, Austin, TX.
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