TexasCHLforum.com

Horace Rumpole's wife Hilda - "She, who must be obeyed"

Yes, I'm a fan of John Mortimer.

At one point, near downtown Houston, but in an area with few pedestrians and while anchored to one spot waiting for my ride, I was approached by a man and a woman. They appeared to be homeless. The man, with a smile on his face, started walking toward me and once within twenty feet or so began speaking in an ingratiating tone voice with "his sob story". The women stayed in one spot about twenty-five feet away and stared with a hateful look.

I felt angry that I couldn't wait in one spot over five minutes on the side walk without being hounded by beggars. Wearing a suit and tie, I suppose I had sucker written all over me.

As the man approached, yapping out his story, I recall my anger getting the best of me and with gritted teeth loudly said : "Get the heck (or something akin to it...) away from me"

That's all I said. The man scuttled backwards apologising. The woman looked even more hateful and they both promptly left the area. The woman looked like she'd like to attack, but the man was in a hurry to leave.

Upon reflection, I think my attitude was also heavily influenced with fear, as the woman's bearing was the direct opposite of the man's. There was something more going on than what they presented...

My obvious outrage and aggressive response may have shutdown a potential mugging attempt.