When I set out for lunch today I accidentally left my wrist brace on. On my way out of the apartment building, a guy who was peering inside stepped back and opened the door for me.
He: Hey man, what happened to your wrist?
Me: Oh, um… just joint problems.
He: Too much bowling, huh?
Me: Um, no, too much typing. (I’m starting to walk away, at this point.)
He: What’s the name of that thing, that thing that happens in your wrists…
Me: (Pausing, trying to be polite.) Carpal tunnel syndrome?
He: Yeah!
Me: (Edging away again. His voice get louder to compensate.)
He: You know what’s good for that?
Me: (still edging away)
He: Herb! You, know, weed! (He makes the universal ‘toke’ sign)
Me: (pretty far away, by now)
He: (shouting) SO, DO YOU NEED ANY? ANY HERB?
Me: NO, NO THANKS.
He: (unintelligible, out of earshot)