moved to a new city recently. people told me it was dangerous. seemed nice enough.

day 2

i take a break from unpacking boxes to run to the corner store. a couple of police cars go screaming past. don’t think much of it. it's a big city.

get to the counter with a 12-pack and i see the tv behind the counter.

an armored truck hauling ass down the freeway. right on its tail is some maniac in a souped-up sports car loaded with a full artillery. no cops in sight.

me (screaming inwardly): what the hell is happening?!

me (calmly to the cashier): this kind of stuff happen a lot around here?

he looks at the tv, shrugs and says …

walking home and ... i get to my building and ... no. no. nonononoooooo. 

car's been sideswiped. mirror barely hanging on. i knew better than to rent in a building with only street parking.

**calling insurance company**

mild frustration. 

yeah. i’d like to file a claim

okay, sir? what's your policy number...?

... name? how do you spell that, sir? is that with two t's?

... and the address where the car was parked?

1123 gordon lane. gotham

whoa. gotham? we don’t handle claims there.

surprise!

what do you mean?

high-incident area. they’ve got that nutjob in the bat costume running around there.

annoyance.

i called last week to give you my new address. why did no one say anything then?

well, we did make a note of it. looks like your policy was set for cancellation ... today, actually. so you wouldn't have been covered anyway.

frustration turning to rage.

why didn't anyone inform me?

looks like we sent a letter. it should have gone to your previous address.

INTERNAL RAGE

... i can give you numbers for some companies that handle your area.

deep inhale.

sir...?

slow exhale. 

sir ... did you want those phone numbers?

agitated.

yes, please.

i can email them. should i send them to the email address on file?

perplexed?

you have my email address? why couldn't you have sent ... you know what? nevermind.

what's that, sir?

accepting.

nothing.

anything else i can help you with?

defeated.

what do i do about my car right now?

i don’t know, man. take it to a body shop i guess. sorry, bro. have a good night.

-click-

last week i signed a two-year lease.

tomorrow i start a new job.

i already hate this place.