Picking up a Hitchiker
"Try something new every day." This is probably a quote that somebody more important than me once said. Well today, I did just that- I picked up a hitchhiker for the first time.
It all started when I went to the Walmart grocery store near my house. Disclaimer- I don't usually shop there- I am more of a kroger guy at heart, but it is closest to my house and great for picking up only one or two items. Today the two items were sweetened condensed milk and a lent roller, because my dog is very hairy and I have to lent roll my couch a lot. As I headed out, a gentleman approached me saying he needed a ride to the service station right up the street. Now, I hadn't really planned on picking up a random stranger and driving him to his destination when I got there, but here I was. He said his wife was waiting for him at the service station "right up the street"(SPOILER ALERT- this was a lie). At first, I tried every excuse in the book: "I'm going left out of the parking lot(when he really needed to go right)" "I have to pick up my girlfriend from the airport(kind of true, but that was three hours from now)", and "Unfortunately I can't- I'm running really late and this guy I know needs this Sweetened condensed milk and lent roller stat (Ok- I didn't actually try this one, but looking back I think it might have worked and I could have avoided this whole situation).
Eventually, I succumbed and started driving this guy to the service station "right down the road"(again-what a lie).
I never asked his name, but we made good conversation:
Me: "You from Richmond"
Him: "Yeah. You?"
Me: "Yup. You said it's right up here on the right?"
Him: "Yeah- right up here near the food lion"
I knew in my heart there was not a food lion right up on the right. This was gonna be more than I bargained for. 10 miles later, we reached the service station and I dropped him off, slightly annoyed because there wasn't a wife in site- I'm pretty sure he lied to me. But I also left the whole experience still not murdered, so I guess that is a plus. I gave him my last 8 pennies and we went our separate ways.
The Review:
Enjoyability: 3/10. The whole car ride I was a little nervous, being new to this whole thing. I also wish we had talked more. What if he had been an astronaut or something cool and I didn't even know it. I don't think he was, but you never know.
Was this worth my time: No. Not at all. In fact, I tried to jump on the interstate on the way home and hit a ton of traffic. Cars were loaded with families, presumably headed to wonderful vacation destinations. I was simply a wanderer, craving the comfort of my home after being pulled aside on a worthless side quest.
Would I do it again: Maybe- I really need to get better at thinking of excuses. But I also realize that this may hold some value, if people find the story entertaining. I also like to think I learned a little about myself in this process, like I don't really like driving strangers around miles out of my way, all based on stories rooted in lies and deceit.
It all started when I went to the Walmart grocery store near my house. Disclaimer- I don't usually shop there- I am more of a kroger guy at heart, but it is closest to my house and great for picking up only one or two items. Today the two items were sweetened condensed milk and a lent roller, because my dog is very hairy and I have to lent roll my couch a lot. As I headed out, a gentleman approached me saying he needed a ride to the service station right up the street. Now, I hadn't really planned on picking up a random stranger and driving him to his destination when I got there, but here I was. He said his wife was waiting for him at the service station "right up the street"(SPOILER ALERT- this was a lie). At first, I tried every excuse in the book: "I'm going left out of the parking lot(when he really needed to go right)" "I have to pick up my girlfriend from the airport(kind of true, but that was three hours from now)", and "Unfortunately I can't- I'm running really late and this guy I know needs this Sweetened condensed milk and lent roller stat (Ok- I didn't actually try this one, but looking back I think it might have worked and I could have avoided this whole situation).
Eventually, I succumbed and started driving this guy to the service station "right down the road"(again-what a lie).
I never asked his name, but we made good conversation:
Me: "You from Richmond"
Him: "Yeah. You?"
Me: "Yup. You said it's right up here on the right?"
Him: "Yeah- right up here near the food lion"
I knew in my heart there was not a food lion right up on the right. This was gonna be more than I bargained for. 10 miles later, we reached the service station and I dropped him off, slightly annoyed because there wasn't a wife in site- I'm pretty sure he lied to me. But I also left the whole experience still not murdered, so I guess that is a plus. I gave him my last 8 pennies and we went our separate ways.
The Review:
Enjoyability: 3/10. The whole car ride I was a little nervous, being new to this whole thing. I also wish we had talked more. What if he had been an astronaut or something cool and I didn't even know it. I don't think he was, but you never know.
Was this worth my time: No. Not at all. In fact, I tried to jump on the interstate on the way home and hit a ton of traffic. Cars were loaded with families, presumably headed to wonderful vacation destinations. I was simply a wanderer, craving the comfort of my home after being pulled aside on a worthless side quest.
Would I do it again: Maybe- I really need to get better at thinking of excuses. But I also realize that this may hold some value, if people find the story entertaining. I also like to think I learned a little about myself in this process, like I don't really like driving strangers around miles out of my way, all based on stories rooted in lies and deceit.
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