I was at a bar in Old Town last night when I saw a guy walk in. He looked familiar. I knew I’d met him at some point — it was at least a year ago, but I knew him. I was sure of it.
A few minutes later I walked over to where he was standing with some friends, and I motioned to him to come around and talk to me. He saw me motion to him, but he just stared at me for a moment — I could tell he wasn’t quite sure why I was trying to get his attention — before he moved around to where I was.
“I know you from somewhere,” I said. And because I didn’t want him to think I was trying to give him a cheesy pick-up line, I made sure to add, “We’ve been introduced before.”
“Where was that?” he asked.
“I’m not sure,” I said. “But aren’t you a…” I leaned closer and lowered my voice. I knew if he replied in the affirmative, he might not like his profession shouted loudly in a public setting. “…police officer?”
“Yes,” he said, his eyes still searching my face for recognition. “A detective,” he clarified.
I could tell he was wondering about something but didn’t want to ask me, so I made it easy for him. “Don’t worry,” I said with a laugh. “You never arrested me.”
Him: “Oh, good.”
Once I narrowed down for him how it was possible that we’d met, he was the one who ended up remembering the event at which we’d been introduced. Oh, yes, I thought. Of course. That’s where it was.
It’s kind of interesting, if you think about it, how people in certain professions have to approach casual encounters outside of work. It’s hard to be entirely separate from your job — and it’s completely unlike my position as an Executive Assistant. If I met someone who knew me through work and I couldn’t quite place them? All I’d have to say is, “Oooh, did I schedule a meeting for you? Did I edit and mail a letter for you? Did I fill out your timesheet or expense report?”
9 Comments
I don’t know that you meant to be, but the possibilities of that encounter struck me as hilarous! Maybe we’ll have to send you out to more bars!
Ron: That’s why I posted about it — I thought it was funny!
I love it!! Was he cute?
Fishing Around: Yes.
I used to be part of one of those “we’re anonymous”-groups and I found it really hard meeting anyone from those meetings when in town. I didn’t really know if I was supposed to say hi or just pretend I didn’t know them…
Guess being a police detective must get one in many strange situations like the one your poor guy ended up in the other night.
That’s pretty damn funny!
Hahaha! You’re so brave for asking him. I admire that in you. I would have looked and wondered until he’d left the bar.
When you motioned to him to come over to talk to you and he sat motionless he was probably thinking to himself, “zOMG! Is that totally hot chick waving at me. Naw! Can’t be. Really? Oh sh*t, she’s coming over here. Be cool man. Be cool…”…lol
Didn’t I tell you to stay away from those cops? LOL.