I must share this scene from a few weeks ago, as nothing is more fascinating to me than how Women interact with other Women who they don’t know in High Pressure Situations. Okay, there might be other things that are more fascinating to me, but it’s maybe like, two to three things. IN MY DEFENSE, this is the first time I’d been pulled over since I moved to LA, so in like eight years. NOT IN MY DEFENSE, I got pulled over for having expired tags, which I truly hadn’t even clocked, nor do I ever think I about things like ‘tags’ and maybe there is a warrant out of my arrest.

So I get pulled over, and I truly am not sure why, and out of the giant California Highway Patrol SUV steps a VERY NICE LOOKING YOUNG WOMAN, I’m sorry to gender her, but I swear to you, she was exactly the nice girl from high school who never made fun of anyone and played Volleyball even though she was kind of a slight sort of girl and would earnestly wish everyone Merry Christmas! and not at all pressure you to come to her church Sunday, but instead just sort of casually mention it. This girl (woman) in full CHP attire approaches my car.

OFFICER: Do you know why I pulled you over?

ME: Stacy? Is that you?

OFFICER (very bad ass and professional): You have expired tags. I looked you up. You haven’t paid your registration since May 2019. We can impound your vehicle. License and insurance and expired registration please.

ME: (truly flummoxed) What? I had no idea, I’m so sorry, let me just —

I earnestly root through my glove compartment.

ME: here, I think this is the right — I don’t know, I’m so sorry, I should’ve — I didn’t know —

STACY (softening): It’s just a 25 dollar ticket. It’s really not a big deal. And it’s easier if you pay it online, you don’t have to wait.

Me: Okay. I’m so sorry.

STACY: No, I’M Sorry.

ME: DON’T BE SORRY STACY, YOU’RE JUST DOING YOUR JOB

STACY: AND SO’RE YOU, YOU’RE DOING YOUR BEST

ME: STACY YOU HAVE GREAT SKIN

STACY: DO YOU WANT TO GO TO NORDSTROM RACK

ME: YES, FOLLOW ME THERE