The border guard shouted, "Alles ist nicht in Ordnung!"
My friend flushed visibly.
Meanwhile I was in a no-man's-land corridor between the checkpoints. I just froze, not knowing what to expect. That brief moment was frightening, because the men talking had total control, a helpless feeling to which we Americans had yet not had to adjust.
As it turned out, they were just messing with my friend, likely searching him to see if he had taken out some of their aluminum coins, which was an offense. It seemed strange to sense the power granted to grown men in uniforms to enforce such trivial laws. It came with a realization that the cause of malevolence often arises from a banal base.
It was a good feeling to get back to our territory even after spending only the better part of the day in the East Zone. I can't imagine the emotion those who escaped dire circumstances must have felt. I can't even imagine how overwhelming that would be.
It was good to return safely back home.
Years ago, my wife and I were tied up and held at gunpoint by three 'bad guys', who jumped us going into a motel room. (It was good to be back home.) The craziest guy held a gun to my head and threatened over and over to kill me. I thought he would. This went on for perhaps about 20 minutes to a half-hour. It seemed like 20 days. We have a time frame; unbeknownst to us, the detective who eventually arrived had been dining next to us at a table at Sizzlers.
Later, the police told me I was lucky; in most cases they shoot. The experience was sufficient to cause considerable PTSD for me. In such a situation, you will thank your lucky stars for police assistance. The perps were never caught.
A detective on scene gave me some good advice, which I'll pass along: "Don't stay at a hotel where nearby where freeways intersect."
The reason wasn't obvious to me at the time, but in retrospect I imagine the bad guys were merely channeling Aristotle:
We had to let it go, but I won't be called anytime soon for jury duty.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
