Robbery not allowed (Photo credit: Arenamontanus)
Right after I got out of the hospital following my motorcycle accident, I had tried to return to work. I had always worked in payroll, and to my utter dismay, I trans-versed numbers so badly, I was no longer able to work in that field. Somewhat depressed, I resigned from my job, and for the first time in my adult life, I seemed unable to motivate myself to learn a new skill. Chef tried to encourage me to go back to school, but I’ve always hated going to school, and the idea didn’t sit well with me at all. So, he did the next best thing. He bought me a bar.
I was totally psyched about the whole thing. I researched the area that the bar was in, and I came up with the name The White Crow Tavern. It was only a beer bar, so I set about to obtain a liquor license, which in Oklahoma is one heck of an enterprise. However, with all my attention focused on the goal, I was able to swing it, and for the first time in the 30 years of the little bar’s existence, liquor was served.
I got some of my biker sisters to help me form a pool team, and then we went around to all the other bars in our area and coaxed people to come to my bar. It was fun and successful. Before long, my little ghetto bar was hopping. We had shirts made up that read, “White Crow Tavern — North Enough To Be Naughty”, playing on the fact that the location was in north Tulsa, where crime was at a maximum. Funny, until it became evident that we weren’t immune to robbers and thieves.
This was also about the time period that Chef became interested in belonging to the motorcycle club that he is in now. It being a notorious club, I had some misgivings. However, because the members came to our bar and I got to know them, I was able to discuss my fears with some of them, and I quickly came to understand to not judge these people by what the media or other uninformed people had told me. And the fact that people seemed afraid of them was a plus for my bar. It made people a little more careful about what they would do or say in my bar. Plus, people liked to hang around where the bad bikers hung out, so it added a little more clientele to the place. It was a fun time for me.
One evening when I was closing up, I had two biker sisters in the bar with me, when a man came in. We were closed already, but I’d forgotten to lock the door. I informed the guy that we were closed, but he ignored me, and I knew instantly that I was going to be robbed. Up until this point, I’d had three break-ins, but I’d never been robbed while I was there.
Thinking back to all the stories I had heard about how the biker women can be more dangerous than their men, I was a little reassured that the two badass women that were sitting at my bar would help me handle this situation….right up until they ran into the bathroom and locked the door, leaving me standing alone behind the bar looking at the gang member with tear drops tattooed on his face.
I quickly inventoried my options, and there weren’t many. So, I did what any self-respecting, Christian woman should do. I flirted with him. I’ve never flirted so well in my life!
Taken by surprise, the gang member quickly flirted back. Now, it did occur to me that I could possibly have just set myself up to be raped, but at the moment, I was just buying some time, hoping that the two girls hiding in the bathroom were calling the cops. The guy asked for a beer, and I gave him one, saying that I couldn’t sell a beer after 2 am, but he could have one on the house. We swapped some small talk, and I think I became engaged some time during that conversation. All the while I kept washing the dishes, trying to look like I didn’t suspect a thing. After Gang Member finished his beer, he told me that he’ hoped he would see me around sometime, and then left.
That was the day that I threw out all my stereotypical knowledge of bikers and their women. We’re all just regular people, no matter what Gangland says.
I also learned the value of engaging a person on a personal level..it probably saved my life. 
– Bird
I read an article one time that said “If you were ever on an airplane that got hijacked, the first thing you needed to do was to get on a first name basis with one of the hijackers.”
Why?
The article said that “it made it more difficult for them to kill you.” Nice handy little thing to know huh.
In this case: Sometimes a free beer is a really good deal, no?
DS
Actually, yes, I think it is!
love it as a unadulterated flirt myself it has smoothed over several sticky situation or failing that has at least attracted assistance. As for judging a book by his cover give me a guy that looks badass anyday whenever a serial killer is caught he always looks so inoffensive (possibly slightly weird or nerdy) and the neighbours all say what a nice, quiet pleasant person he was yeah right
Too true!!
smart thinking Bird. you were in total control, and God was definitely staying next to you with his shield protecting you
That is awesome. Flirting as a way of courage. I love it.
Smart move!
Yes! I love this post. Hilarious. I must visit the White Crow Tavern!
Kindness, Love, and Compassion is the most powerful emotions because they can quickly turn an enemy into a friend. Thank you for sharing. Flirting is one way to go but yes it is dangerous because it can set someone up to be raped. I knew someone that happened to. I enjoy your blogs, keep up the great work. I am hoping to start to work on a couple of projects this week if I can find the time. Yesterday was nuts and I did not get to begin work on my two sabbaths blog. God will allow it to come to pass in his own time, if it is his will.
Wow, thanks for the advice Bird. Next time I see a gang member, I will start flirting. Just joking. I think we both know that Someone was looking out for you.
Fine lessons learned and expressed. People in general are good people to those they have built a relationships with. Of course there are plenty of exceptions to the rule. Burglary on a stranger is easy but its a little harder to steal from someone you care about.
So then what happened!!!!! Did you see him around again? Did they catch him? Lol- I need to know more!!!! MORE!!!!
lol..No, I never saw him again. I really thought he’d show back up, but I guess I wasn’t as impressive as I thought I was…lol!!!
Girl, you totally rock!
I’d find that man and be all like, uh you said you hoped to see me around and then YOU weren’t around. This just reminds me of the time 2 Hell’s Angels held the door to a pavilion for me at the county fair. I couldn’t help but think to myself “what nice young men,” lol.
Some the nicest men I know on this earth are Bandidos, which are Oklahoma’s equivalent of the Hell’s Angels.
lol..I just realized I’d been jilted by the gang member! Hey!! Not cool!!
Not cool at all!
Exactly. I’m going to find him!!
that also could have been an Angel in disguise,
Good disguise!!
I would have been right there with you had I been working that night, but that story is one of my favs from the bar, ranks right up there with “skanky married stripper chick and her 3 boyfriends” night…lol
Marissa!!! I know you wouldn’t have deserted me…And you did take care of the stripper chick and her merry men!!
My first thought after I read the title was, “Uh oh.” Love the happy ending!
lol..I’m not much of a flirter these days…He never even came back!!
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