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I overestimated when I suggested there might be two people in the audience at the Kickstarter program at the Charleston library. There was one. I think they could use a little promotional help! Anyway. When I arrived, the only person in the room was the library guy. I said, “My job is done!” Then my friend Jerry showed up. And another presenter showed up. And one lady.
The photographic evidence:
(Photo by Jerry.) That’s the other presenter speaking and the single-person audience–that’s me, seated, to the right. Unfortunately, you can’t see my pants in the photo, but I was wearing some! Though I’m not sure it was necessary. Well, I don’t mean– Never mind! Jerry was on his way somewhere else, so he left after taking this photo. There was supposed to be a third presenter, but even they didn’t show up. The other presenter was in a hurry, on her lunch break or something, so she went first–spoke for about 10 minutes–then she had to leave. I felt so sorry for the library guy, and the one lady in the audience was genuinely interested in starting a Kickstarter campaign for her small business, so I thought to myself, “Suzanne, this is not a waste of time, it’s an opportunity!” Plus, I was really relaxed since, like, nobody was there. So I got up and spoke for about 30 minutes about my farm, my animals, my business, and my Kickstarter campaign, giving all the tips I could think up, answered all the lady’s questions like I had all the time in the world, and everybody had fun. When it was over, the library guy told me how much he appreciated it and that he was really sorry more people hadn’t been there to hear me. And I said, “I have a book coming out next year and I hope the library will buy several copies!” I told him all about my book and said I’d be happy to come back to talk about my book when it was published.
Then he gave me $10 for driving in from out of town–parking was $1.75, so I made a few bucks.
THEN. I got in the elevator to go back downstairs to leave. There was this wiry guy in the elevator when the doors opened. He had long silver hair and a long silver beard. He was wearing hippie kind of clothes and mirror-reflection sunglasses. I stepped inside, the doors closed, and he said in a deadpan voice, “Put your purse in the front. You’re gonna get robbed and beat up.” I was wearing my teeny tiny purse, that is only big enough for my cell phone and a debit card, on my shoulder and it was hanging down around my hip. I looked at him, and he said, “You’re gonna get robbed and beat up on the street.” The main Charleston library is in a relatively nice area. I said, “Okay,” and moved my purse to the front. He said, “You’re gonna get robbed and beat up outside the building.” I said, “You’re pretty cynical, aren’t you?” He said, “You’re gonna robbed and beat up on the bus.” I didn’t even take the bus, but anyway. I started wondering if he was going to hit the Stop button and rob me and beat me up. I said, “I’m from the country.” He said, “You’re gonna get robbed and beat up.”
THAT WAS THE LONGEST THREE-FLIGHT ELEVATOR RIDE EVER.
Made it home. And I did not get robbed or beat up. Whew. The city is so scary!
Posted by Suzanne McMinn on October 6, 2012
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Most are harmless, and really in need of legal meds. A few are not harmless. Glad the guy fit the former case. You might want to call the library guy and let him know what happened . . . might be why there was only one person in the audience!
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Sounds like a case of PTSD, but maybe not. Were your keys fisted in your hands, a fantastic weapon.
Very interesting, you reacted well, kept your cool. I would have dragged him out the door when we got to the main floor, but that is my background/training.
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Had I been there, I would NOT have stepped into the elevator, though!
Maiun point being, I had heard nothing about this other than what you posted, Suzanne. It apparently was not well marketed at all!
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As for the elevator dude, he needs some lessons on how not to freak out a lady!
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About the guy in the elevator. Sigh! He seems to have been harmless and concerned but definitely odd and borderline scary. Unfortunately the mental health services are severly strained everywhere.You might have encounter someone like him at the market, on the street, or knocking on your door to ask for a drink of water. Libaries and other public places provide safe places for troubled people. Do let your librarian know so that they can keep an eye on the guy and tell him the boundaries of his behavior in a public place.
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I wasn’t sure if he was trying to help or predicting what he was planning on doing to you.
I’m glad you are ok!
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Personally, I would not take the stairs. At least in the elevator there is a panic-type button that will create an audible alarm.
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That had to be one freaky elevator ride
I agree about the CCP. It’s easy to get a Conceal Carry Permit in VA, so I’m sure it’s just as easy in WV. I went to a class, got a certificate, took it to my local sheriff’s department. They did a background check and I had it in less than a month.
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And, please, do not take the stairs. Not only do they not have an audible alarm, most of them have self closing/self locking doors (fire code) so once you are in the stairwell your only possible (but not guaranteed) exit is the first/ground floor.
Just wait for an empty elevator. . .
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Assuming she uses the info. Of course, even if she doesn’t, you never know who she might pass it on to. I’ve benefited from all kinds of second-hand advice. I also love it when I hear from someone that they got something of mine – generally a recipe – from a mutual friend whom I’d given it to months or years earlier. Hurray for you for being there for the one attendee!
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