The Door Prize

I was walking south along Spadina through Chinatown earlier this afternoon. All of a sudden, I hear a high pitched scream of fright followed by a sound of solid collision, and concluding with shattered glass raining onto the pavement. All this before I could turn my head to see what actually happened.

I see a woman on her bicycle, visibly stunned, barely standing, the seat of her bicycle off on an angle. Beside her, a blue Mercedes coupe, its door open stripped of its glass. The door prize had been won! I've seen it nearly happen many times in the past, and I've almost been both a giver and receiver, but this was the first time the jackpot was hit! I was in shock as were the other pedestrians. I didn't know what to do. Eventually, I asked the cyclist if she was okay. The two Chinese women in the car asked if she was okay and discussed between themselves some things about insurance. A few more moments passed as the cyclist regrouped and she finally resumed and rode off.

Let this be a lesson children. Always look for cyclists when opening your car door. And if you're cyclist, never ever trust cars that are pulled over to the side. Ring your bell and steer clear of the door, but always anticipate a stupid person opening the door at the exact time you're passing by. This will help to reduce the number of door prizes given up every year. And now you know, and knowing is half the battle.
posted by Pi at 6:53 PM |