I wasn't sure what I wanted to post today, and then I read Bronwyn Green's post:) It inspired me to share this story.
Fall, 1988:
I was leaving work one evening, and unlocked my Chevette. I slid in and took a moment to savor the relief in my feet for finally sitting. And then I noticed something strange.
A plastic lei, a necklace, and other items were hanging from the rearview mirror. Unfamiliar cassette tapes were scattered in the passenger seat. Further inspection confirmed I was sitting in the wrong car.
I started to get out, and then decided to try to start the car. I'd already inserted my key; I just hadn't turned it yet. So I tried. No luck, so kudos to Chevy. I climbed out, relocked the door, and turned to go.
And then I wondered, had I even unlocked it in the first place? I inserted my door key, and sure enough, the door unlocked and I was granted access again. Shaking my head over this new knowledge, I turned around and found my car parked one space over. I climbed in and drove back to campus, never dreaming this was Divine Intervention.
Three weeks later, I accidentally locked my keys in my car. I was about to start walking toward my dormitory, in order to call Campus Security, when I spotted a Chevette entering the parking lot. I flagged him down, told him I was NOT crazy, but could I borrow his door key? The guy looked skeptical, but after I explained, he put his car in park and got out to witness the insane idea I could possibly unlock my car with his key.
Until I did it. I opened my door, retrieved my keys from the ignition, locked my door again, and handed him his own set.
He was dumbfounded, and made me try it again. Again, we were able to open my car. Then we tried my keys in his....and yes, they worked.
Was it a fluke? I've told this story to other Chevette owners, and they have never worked on any other cars. I don't know if I was just lucky to run across two people who happened to have Chevettes with the same year or door lock configurations...but it sure saved me a headache that night!
9 comments:
WOW! Now that's a story. How cool.
I'm going with good luck. Lots of keys swap on cars, not just that one. In fact, sometimes the electronic ones do as well. I've set off alarms on other vehicles by opening my trunk remotely.
TOO FUNNY James:)
I thought it was cool at the time too, Amber:)
I was in Walmart one time getting my car serviced when I overheard two men talking about how a certain model's keys opened other cars. So, yes, it does happen. :)
That's crazy, Molly! But also really cool - not to mention fortuitous!!!
Also...you're welcome. ;)
So, people can just go around exchanging cars... hmmm.
I drive a Hyundai Sonata and when it was new (and not yet filled with all the "stuff" of my life), I tried to get into a BMW that was parked one space over. (The two were almost identical in size and shape!) I'm really glad the owner didn't happen along at that moment! :-)
That's a weird one! I wore out two Chevettes in the 80s, but never heard of that happening.
What an interesting interview. How do you research cocaine production? Were there any raised eyebrows on that, Jet?
Best wishes for a magnificent career in writing.
Sarah
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