Mirrored with permission from Outpost Nine and Azrael

Protecting The Merchandise

Some people like to say "Another day, another dollar." Being in Japan, I'd like to say "Another day, another yen". Unfortunately, my version goes something like "Another day, another game of dodgedick."

This particular day, it was the same boy who'd once clapped his hands together and said in English "please!" after I denied him an opportunity. Class ended, and he'd come up to the front to talk to me about something. I did for a while, and then when the conversation ended...he started trying to lunge for my stuff. Complete with "ching!" sound effects accompanying every attempt.

Today he was particularly motivated, and actually came at me pretty hard. I had to catch both his arms, and with those restrained he tried TO USE HIS KNEES TO GET A FEEL. I mean, I can understand setting a goal and going for it, but THIS of all things?!

I decided to try and reason with him. "Why do you wanna touch that? Don't you like girls?" I said in a voice loud enough for everyone to hear. His response? "Lemme touch it! It's big right? I bet you it's big!" He then turns to the English teacher, a Japanese man in his mid-thirties, for confirmation. "It's big, isn't it?" My teacher's response? "Please don't compare him to us Japanese guys."

Thanks.

So my teacher quietly retreated back to the teacher's room while I had to keep restraining this boy well into the hallway, despite his repeated cries of "Lemme touch it! It's gotta be big!" The teacher did give me permission to drop him in a toilet, and flush it, but the bathrooms were a hallway away and this kid was no runt.

He asked me to give up, and when I made it clear I'd carry him down 3 flights of stairs and back to the teachers room if I had to, he finally decided to give up, but not before giving me an omnious "I'll get it one day."

I returned to the teachers room, and that teacher asked me if the boy had managed to get a grab. I proudly exclaimed "Hell no!" The teacher laughed and said "I see," but I do think I detected a hint of disappointment in his voice as well.

Another day, another game of dodgedick.

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