Lasting Lessons: Part II

(continued from last week)

...so, I look up in my rearview mirror, and saw them swing a U-turn themselves as they flipped on the lights.

So many things went through my head, but all I heard was the swimsuit model say "Just go...". Next thing I knew, instead of pulling over and stopping, I hit the gas on my '79 Honda Civic with a manual choke. What followed was a "high speed" chase through the back streets and alleys of Edmonton's Old Strathcona neighborhood, that involved speeds around 80km an hour at points and turning the headlights off that only came to a halt when I thought to myself "What the hell are you doing?"... so, logic finally returning, I turned the car off and pulled over. The girl had already had a couple of drinks, and not wanting to add to an already bad situation, I got out of the car to what was a completely unexpected sight: both of the cops had their guns drawn and pointed, and had taken a defensive position behind their doors. After some yelling ensued, I was thrown up against the car, frisked, handcuffed, and tossed in the back seat of the patrol car. After listening to the list of charges they were running up against me, including possibly losing my car on a charge of reckless driving and endangerment, they finished off with a "What the f*** got into your head?". I looked at them, and genuinely asked "Do you really want to know?"

"Yes" said the younger one, then turning to his older partner, "this ought to be good".

"I panicked," I replied. "I have never been in the situation before, and when the lights went on, my foot hit the gas instead of the brake... suddenly, I was in so far over my head I felt like all I could do was see it through".

Both of them looked at me for a moment, and then the younger one said "You know what? That's about the smartest thing you could have said. Because I believe you. And I don't think you'll do it again." At that point, they tore up every ticket, except for the illegal U-turn - and let me go.

So, what lessons did I take from this?

1. Police officers do not like it if they have to chase a beat up car, and when it pulls over a young half-asian guy with a leather jacket and severe mullet throws open the door and gets out.
2. That little voice in your head? It's name is "Cahmen Sentz". Listen to it.
3. When a hot girl tells you to do something stupid - you don't have to listen to them (see number 2).
4. Don't mess with Karma, either (I still haven't done another u-turn, by the way...)
5. Finally - truth and honesty will get you much farther in life than deception... and compassion and understanding in a position of power can have a lifelong effect.

Oh, and yes, I broke up with that girl that night...

~Guy