Unfortunate Police Run-Ins: Illegal Walking

Growing up, I was always the good kid. Never had any run ins with the law, so once I was of age to be questioned by cops I was always really respectful. Once I got to college, however, my run ins with the police became pretty ooc (out of control), and I was starting to wonder if I was a victim of racial profiling.

It was the summer of '06. I spent this summer retraining myself to walk due to my unfortunate bout with a herniated disc and the resulting sciatica. The summer wasn't a very good one. The headlights in the Probe were on the fritz and refused to shine (they would lift themselves, only adding insult to injury), I wasn't able to work at Chili's due to my inability to stand up straight (which eventually turned into my inability to walk), and every morning I had Organic Chemistry lab which took me 3 hours to prepare for in order to stand and get to my car.

I would like to take this time to thank my friends Britni, Allen, Bradley, Sabina, and Meg for really being there for me that summmer. Britni for allowing me to stay in your house (whether you knew that part or not) and the rest for everything else.

Towards the end of the summer, I was able to move around better and to hang out with people once again. I was spending most of my time at Britni's house due my difficulties climbing stairs, an unfortunate event that had me scared to stay at my place, and not to mention my inability to pay bills without money. This particular day was the day before my O-Chem Lab final. Also during this time, the LSU Honors College were doing their FOCUS program (A program I ending up teaching Music for the following year), and one day Allen and Sabina invited me to come hang out with the programmers and the participants. The kids were showing off what they had learned during the two weeks they had spent in the dorms, and the counselors and programmers were hanging out and just having a good time. It had gotten late, and I was still sitting on the couch in the lobby of the dorm, and almost everyone (including Allen, Sabina had left) had gone upstairs. I was ready to go, but could not make it to the part of the dorm that everyone had gone through (card key access denied)and like so many other times in my life, my phone was dead. Of course I had Allen and Sabina's numbers memorized, but I had no access to a phone, so they were of no use. I needed to study, and didn't want to bother anyone until the point of frustration. So out of frustration I decided to make the best and most logical decision I had ever made in my life: I will just walk to my car!

I'm so smart; I should win role model of the year. Let me show you this map I made.

So my destination was about 1 mile from my starting point, and I was frustrated and determined. (Path in Red)I began at Acadian Hall, and decided to cross Highland Rd. My car was on that side of the road, so I wanted to get it over with. I finally made it, and about 15 minutes of walking, I made it to the mailbox (indicated by the blue square). I took a break, because obviously I deserved it. Five minutes passed, and I continued on. I decided my next break would be that light pole on the other side of the intersection. As I am crossing over Stadium Drive, (Path in baby blue) a Baton Rouge police car drives pass me. I think nothing of it as I am trying to make it to that super fucking comfortable light pole I'm eying. But then I take notice of the cop car as it pulls into the parking lot, makes a large loop, and comes back down the street. As soon as I reach my destination (about 35 minutes after beginning my voyage), the cop has turned on his flashers and has....pulled me over?

What do you call that?

So here I am, sweating and gasping like I just finished a marathon, and I am being approached by a police officer.
Officer: Hey there son, you alright? You're walking kind of funny.
Me: Yeah, I have a herniated disc in my back and its difficult to walk. I am okay though.
Officer: Where are you walking to?
Me: I'm walking to my car, its at Highland Plantation.
Officer: Gotcha....are you drunk? Have you been drinking?
Me: (Seriously? What did I just say?) No sir...I don't drink. Never have. (I chuckle then lean on the light pole)
Officer: Oh okay. Are you hiding any weapons or drugs?
Me: (Yeah I have 4 uzis under my fat rolls) No...Haha I've never been pulled over for walking before.
Officer: Give me a second. calls for backup. Just wait right here sir. Can I see your ID
Me: I guess....
5 minutes pass, back up arrives
Officer: Okay sir, I'm going to need to search you for concealed items.
Me: Okay...
Frisks me. It was kind of funny because he lifts my chest flap to check for, I dunno, a bomb or something.
Officer: Okay he's clean
Officers go back to the car and talk with each other
Officer: Okay well you seem to be having a hard time standing, so I will go ahead and give you a ride to your car.
Me: Thank you....?

It is worth mentioning that the officer stated to his back up that I looked suspicious and that is the reason I was pulled over. I probably should not have gotten in the car with the officer, but I don't think he would allow me not to. Ironically enough, I was being taken to The Probe; in which I had gotten pulled over for driving without headlights and I thought this was about to turn into a repeat offense. Luckily, he dropped me off in front of the apartment complex, and went on his way while I walked to the back of the complex to The Probe. Then I drove as fast as I could to Britni's place so I could finish studying for my final (which I aced and got an A in the lab).

That was not my first and would not be my last awkward run in with the police, I don't even try anymore. ~!Antoine!~