Comes with the territory

29 June 2009

Woke up to this email in my inbox today…

Midnight.

Driving home from barbecue in Venice, Ca. A helicopter search light highlighting 10 freeway around me. Hmmm, I continue on. Had a few glasses of wine with diner, keep it cool, keep it between the lines. I have ready a fictious alibi ready about why I have no insurance or registration.

Now after 101/110 interchange on the 5 – the helicopter light has followed me through the tunnels. Still driving on the 5, I look back to see 15 police cruisers sweep, perform the V format over entire freeway. Now its only them and me. Loudspeakers give instructions: “throw your keys out of the window, walk backwards, pull your shirt up and perioet. As I spin round I see 30 pistols pointed at me. You know the routine. Knees to the ribs, five grown pigs manhandle the presumedly innocent to the floor.

Street closer and an uncomfortable hour in the back of the car hoping nothing crops up in my background check. No one answers questions, I am invisible. They checked for tattoo’s and police officers assume I speak Spanish. My van is being turned inside out by ten bathed in light from above.

1 hour later a moustached Sgt Hicks, badge no. 32548 admits there has be a mix up and that I and a latino rapist in Venice share a similar taste in vehicle.

White van, blue stripes.

- Michael Power