The Fable of the Peacenikker

I was riding the bus the other day, day-dreaming, and some tough guy a few seats in front of me thought I was staring at him, I think. I think that because he approached me and said, “Hey! Quit staring at me.” I hadn’t been. But as he stood right in front of me after saying what he just said, I really didn’t know what to do, except stare back at him.

“What’s your problem, pal? You wanna get your ass kicked?” he asked. I didn’t want to get my ass kicked, as fate would have it. But I also didn’t want to begin an argument with someone who’s reasoning skills were rapidly proving themselves to be world-class.

So, in a flash of peacenikdom and desperation, I flashed him the peace sign, to show I didn’t want trouble:



He kicked my ass. Twice.