Assholes and Arm Bars

 

Last night, the Wagon called for a car on Third in front of the Church of the Infinite Being.
When I arrived, the tall EMT points at the drunk.

"He wants to fight."

He's right.

The drunk's pacing. His shoulders are squared and tense. He's jutting out his, bearing his teeth.  His hands are clenched and ready to strike.

I stand, pause, and let him take me in.

He's too angry, but if he'd look he'd see he'll lose if he fights.

The drunk is younger, but I'm bigger.

His stance is from instinct and not training or ability.

I try to talk him down. I speak in a calm, clear manner.

You don't want to fight. You want to go to Detox. They'll take care of you.

"Fuck you! I ain't going anywhere!"

You don't want to fight. Go to Detox. They'll take care of you.

"Fuck you."

The Jedi Mind Trick does  not work.

He advances, recedes, and advances.

He's testing my resolve.  He's looking for an opening to strike.

I look him in the eye.

You're under arrest. Put your hands behind your back.

He rocks forward. His hand is clenched and poised.

I don't give him the chance.

I grab his right hand with my left, anchor his elbow with my right hand, and force his arm behind his back.

He struggles. With his left hand, he grabs my shirt.

The Wagon's EMTs move to help.

I don't want them to be hurt. 

I turn the custody hold into an arm bar. I press his shoulder down, raise the wrist high, and step forward at half speed.

I drive the drunk down. His forehead hits the sidewalk.

As I cuff him, he screams, "You're an asshole! You didn't have to do that to me."

 

 

Comments

[Ev]

Did you HAVE to do it to him?
Well, I guess not.
But it was the smart thing to do, so there is that.
You could have let him hurt you or the EMTs.
You could have shot him.
Ah, but that's not gonna get through to him, heh.
I wonder if a night of sobering up will offer some far too late perspective?
I long ago decided that getting intoxicated anywhere but my own home was a bad, bad idea. Even in my own home, it's incredibly rare.
Only thing that happened recently was having a bit too much sake at a sushi bar, combined with a generous fellow patron who shared a pitcher of beer with me.
I sat in the corner chatting with the chefs until my fiancee came and picked me up.
They're in the same martial art as I am. They took care of me.
Showed me the punching bag in the back of the kitchen. You had to get your leg over the tempura batter bins to kick it.
Probably the last time I will be intoxicated outside of my home or some friend's.

[RD]

@EV,

He made the choice. One he is intoxicated and a danger to himself and others, I am obligated by law to take care of him.

I tired to talk him down.

I gave him options.

He choose to fight.

It was the wrong option.

I took him down at half speed to eliminate as much injury as possible to the man despite his intent to cause harm

Cheers,
RD