It's been over a week now.

Okay, so let me just start by saying that I am not normally an angry person - pretty much an easy going type of guy. Never really had anger issues. However, in my middle-age years, I have found now several times where I just, in an instant, transform into this person I don't even recognize.

So, last week I walked into Kinko's to have some custom invitations cut. It was busy with nearly fifteen people in there. To my surprise, the clerk told me that though they were busy, if I wanted them cut then, I would only have to wait about fifteen minutes. Kewl! Do it.

I walked around the store looking at their cards, previewing their services...did you know they do all sorts of signs now? I know! While looking at the cards though, I heard some yelling near the counters but was too busy laughing at the humor cards to really know what was going on other than yelling.

So, I walked around the store and ended up hanging out by those self-serve photo machines. I wasn't standing right next to one, but maybe two or three feet. There were still quite a few people just standing around waiting for the projects to get done as well.

And then it started...I heard this booming voice saying "I don't need you in my space!". I kept looking at the workers doing their business. Then I heard it again, a little louder with a little more attitude "Excuse me, you are IN my space!". I looked around to my left and then to my right and much to my surprise this big, tall, old, jigaboo was looking at ME!

"I said you are IN MY SPACE!" he bellowed at me. I just looked at him in shock. He WAS talking to me. I wasn't in his space, and I couldn't understand what his issue was. And then I realized it was his voice that I heard yelling before.

He took a step toward me, put up his hand and poked me hard in the chest while saying "I dont' need a supervisor watching over my shoulder!.. and he poked me really, really hard!

I wasn't mad, wasn't shaking, but I was concerned that this large porch-monkey of an Afro was obviously used to pushing his large mass around, bossing people around and most probably always getting his way. Well, not this man! So I said, in a firm, clear voice but certainly not yelling...

"Sir, I am not IN your space. And you really have no right to talk to people like that..." I said. Then, his stance changed, and I could see anger swelling up inside and the way he was moving his arms, I felt a punch was coming so I ramped up my speech with..."and since there is no designated waiting area, I'll stand wherever T H E F U C K I P L E A S E ! ".

Okay, so those last four words are capitals because I still cannot even believe those words came out of my mouth as loud as they did. It was loud. I was loud. At the top of my lungs, there was an echo. AN ECHO. IN KIKNOS. Yikes! I was so embarrassed in that instance but felt it was necessary obviously.

The douchebag just lost it. Started flayling his arms around gesturing like one of those giant advertising fan dudes where the arms go up and down in front of furniture stores. All the while he's uttering words that were unintelligle.

I just stared at him like I was watching a monkey in a zoo.

Just then my name was called, I turned aroud slowly, like nothing had happend. He continued yelling at me. The clerk handed me my cut cards, looked at me, shook his head from side to side and apologized. I just noded back and rolled my eyes.

I heard this little Asian woman say behind me, "You know, he's right, you shouldn't talk to people like that". I had to laugh a little inside when I heard that.

At this point, this whole ordeal is pretty bad. Right? Wrong! You see, now it starts to get bad.

I heard a giant "PLUNK" and then a scream. I turned around to see this Chewbaca of a negro on the floor. "He's not breathing!" some guy over him said. I turned to the clerk to tell him to call 9-1-1 and he was already doing it. He looked at me and said, "You better stay here!". I didn't respond. I looked around and many of the customers there waiting for their things just looked at me. Like what? *I* didn't touch him.

The EMT's showed up, started CPR and I turned around where the manager was now standing. I pulled out one of my business cards and asked him "Do you have cameras in here?"

"We have six cameras in here." he said. I said, "Good, becuase I didn't touch him." I gave the manager my card and told him to call me if he needs me. And I left.

At the time, I remember thinking "Whatever, dude!" And I'm embarrassed to admit this here, but it's the truth and I feel horrible about it. While I was walking out, there was a split moment (as I passed this stupid, angry, bitter old man on the floor) where I thought "my world is better off without you in it".

I KNOW. I KNOW. I am just not going to end up anywhere resembling a heaven. I did call Kinko's a few days later and that man did die on the floor of Kinko's that Saturday morning. And I was the last person he yelled at. And I hope he's the last person I ever yell at.