Quills and Questions #6: Hey, So, Have Ya'll Ever Been Pepper Sprayed?

This one isn't so much answering a frequently-asked question, but rather something I wanted to share. Firstly, because it's CRAZY, and secondly, because this is a good view on what can happen at book events. 

So. 

Picture this. 

I'm standing behind my table at a book event. I'm drinking a Dr. Pepper, looking at something on my phone… 

When I hear a man shout. 

I look up, and entering through the door is a guy wielding what looks like a can of spray paint. 

BAM.

He hits the nozzle, and orange spray explodes like a bad exhaust pipe on the back of a rusty pickup. 

The spray hits another man, who quickly recoils and ducks back outside. For good measure, the guy with the spray can hit it again, sending a second plume of rolling orange smoke through the door. 

My thoughts start racing as the guy with the can goes outside to shout at the guy he sprayed. Was it paint? Were they doing some sort of paint fight in public? Why was he shouting? 

I'm the only one present, so I run inside the building and grab the closest employee. 

An older gentleman walks in behind me, coughing, eyes watering. 

100% pepper spray was lingering in the air. 

Another woman walked in and started experiencing the same symptoms. Before I know it, I'm helping employees redirect people away from the door. Employees and managers flood out, close the entrance, and usher people away. 

I had to leave my table, because it was in the affected zone, and within minutes, police and emergency vehicles showed up to check on people and take statements. 

Wow! My first official police statement. 

Not so wow, my first official experience with pepper spray… (and hey, no surprise, it sucks! I’m glad I was not directly hit, but I did end up with a cough and scratchy throat for a couple of hours afterwards). 

After a while, the doors were reopened, the authorities left, and I returned to my table. 

Then, the universe decided to apologize and helped me sell 10 books in an hour. 

I guess I can cross “giving a police statement” and “pepper spray” off of my “never experienced” bucket list? 

What a wild day. You never expect these things to happen to you, and then when they do, it's so surreal. 

I got a pretty good story out of it, but I have to say I'm… a bit more vigilant at my book events. Keeping my eye on people as they pass, and trying to be more aware of my surroundings. 

And, ultimately, the point I'm building up to here: Stay safe out there! 

One minute you're playing Wordle, and the next there's a plume of pepper spray going off 10 feet away. 

Being at an author event doesn't spare you from the crazy side of life, and I encourage you to be aware of what's going on around you! 

If you have any questions, I encourage you to reach out to me on my website’s contact page! I will answer you, and maybe the topic will become a future Quill’s and Questions Post!