While Working in the Back

      

By Dr. Stewart Bitkoff

Dr. Stewart Bitkoff   I had gotten an early call from Fred, our stock clerk, that he was running late. Some car trouble and would be in as soon as possible.  Alone, I began working in the back, pulling the stock, getting ready for the day. It was a Monday and I was moving quickly, trying to catch-up.   When finished,  I came out into the front and saw the cash register was open. Checking to see that everything was in order, I counted about 1/3 of the cash was missing. Further, looking around,  I saw stock by the front door was gone. Then, it hit me- I had been robbed. While working in the back some one came in- took cash and helped themselves.   Furious,  I grabbed my phone to call the police, then, the front door opened and ‘a shady looking customer’ entered. He was mid-sized, dressed in black and smiling. He was not a regular and before I could dial 911, he questioned, “Are you having some trouble?” I replied, “Yes. While in the back some one stole from us.” He replied, ‘Is that so, I think I can help you with that.” “What do you mean,” I wondered. “Well, I work for the local legislator and can make sure this kind of thing does not happen again.” Confused, I said,“How can you do that?” “Well, if you give monthly to our election fund, we can guarantee this will never happen again.”   Just then Fred came in, looked at the ‘shady’ fellow and questioned, “Am I interrupting something.” The stranger replied, “No. I was just leaving.”   Fred wondered, ‘Who was that guy. I don’t think I have ever seen him before?’ I replied, “I don’t know and he was not a customer. Also while you were gone- looks like we were robbed- I was just getting ready to call the police when he came in.” “O shit- I am so sorry. What did they get?” “They took some cash and stock.  I am so pissed, and just glad I was not hurt.”   “What a morning! First my car, now this.” “What was wrong with your car?” “It was a flat tire. The guy said, looked like some one let the air out- it held the replacement air- just fine.” We both said out loud, “Why would someone do that?”   Later, as things slowed and I had time to think about the day, it came together. The flat tire, having to work in the back, getting robbed and the offer to stop it all.  It was a set-up. From day one- a set-up to frighten, keep me working and supporting the local politician. For the longest, they have been watching, planning, diverting, and now scaring me to keep their ‘thing’ going.   Summing-up   Some years back, it occurred to me that while I was working 2 jobs, raising a family and commuting hours daily to work- groups of people were ‘stealing from me.’  My attention was purposefully being deflected so they could ‘run their game.’  Over time, ‘this hustle’ has gotten a little clearer and they are still running it- stealing- controlling- and taking at the expense of countless people.  -SB