At the heart of much speculative fiction (and fiction in general) is a question. What if? On Tuesdays I like to throw one out there and see what you make of it. Do with it as you please. If a for-instance is not specified, feel free to interpret that instance as you wish. And if you find this becomes a novel-length answer, I'd appreciate a thank you in the acknowledgements ;)
What if you discovered someone close to you (a family member, a spouse, your best friend) tried to have you killed? What would you do? How would you react to that person after?
And if you haven't seen my Monday post, please make sure to check it out. I'd appreciate any help you can give.
Restraining order? Have them committed? Something like that.
ReplyDeleteProbably get them arrested. Would have trouble trusting them again.
ReplyDeletebetty
I know, right?
DeleteIf all else failed, I think I would turn into their best friend--take them out to lunch, go to a movie together, etc. If that failed, I would probably poison them.
ReplyDeleteI like your backup plan...
DeleteHmm, that's a great what if question. I'm not sure what I would do. Maybe confront them and try to find out why. Of course, while I'm asking them why, I'd probably be sure to have police backup and the like.
ReplyDeleteI would probably have nothing to do with them after that, but it won't resolve the initial conflict of why...so probably need arbitration and discuss why.
ReplyDeleteI know. The why would bother me.
DeleteI would hope they would end up in jail. I see things like that on Dateline and 48 Hours occasionally but it always seems so far fetched that it would happen to anyone we knew!
ReplyDeleteI know, right?
Delete...Let's just say it wouldn't be pretty. I don't want to leave any incriminating evidence anywhere.
ReplyDeleteI would inform the police and work with them to catch the killer even if that meant I am used as bait. After they are caught, tried and sent to prison, that is when I would let my emotions take hold & ask why but not before! Instead of me being the mouse, I would become the cat!
ReplyDeleteI have four very protective brothers. I would just drop a word into their ears...
ReplyDeleteIt depends who it was. If it was my kids I'd have them committed, husband would be arrested. I hope he doesn't read this.
ReplyDeleteIt's not like he's really out to get you, so I don't think it matters.
DeleteI wouldn't worry too much. My rabbit will protect me :-)
ReplyDeleteFierce rabbit.
DeleteHaven been threatened more that once – I’ve found distance and never again associating with them the simple and most direct method. It depends on what kind of threat it is. If it’s a “doesn’t’ pan out” threat after the activity but it does pan out, still move on and never reconnect. If it’s a threat on you personally, physically, again move away from the threat; figure out what it was that caused the threat. If it’s a basic value conflict, can’t be fixed and dangerous to try and fix it. Values are two deeply held. A work threat is usually the one that really can mix up a brew that make for very strong emotions, because of the continuous interpersonal contact. Stop the contact, again distance. It’s a very tough world, with lots of decisions, one day at a time. It’s not your problem it’s theirs. It’s a question of ownership, which owns the problem and if the problem is real or imaginary. If it’s real it can lead to very unpleasant outcomes.
ReplyDeleteYou've been threatened once? Yikes, that's one more time than I'd like.
DeleteI agree with Frank. And I, too, have been threatened with physical harm, although nothing came of it, thankfully, and the threat didn't involve homicide. Verbal altercations over basic values have been much more common for me. They're not frightening, but they are *very* frustrating. Usually I try to pursue a "let's just agree to disagree" arrangement. If that doesn't work, I walk away. Listening to the other person repeat the same arguments over and over and trying to get him or her to listen to what you have to say just makes things worse. Had to learn that the hard way.
ReplyDeleteYikes. I put these questions up as just things to ponder. I didn't think anyone would have experienced something similar first hand.
DeleteI would want to know why, and if it was true. I would have nothing to do with them after that (if it was true) and would have them locked up if I could, but of course you have to prove it before the police will do anything.
ReplyDeleteSunni
http://sunni-survivinglife.blogspot.com/
Ah yes. Getting proof is the trick.
Delete