Currently Untitled
The Christmas season rush had just began, and Andy and I were working overtime, trying to keep up with the insanity. We finally pulled up to our last job of the day, which was supposed to be a simple one, and the plan was the same as always: Get in, get done, and get out. We went up to the door and introduced ourselves, and went into the room where the television was going. There was a young boy in there, who was about 6 or 7, and he was sitting on the couch watching Barney, completely oblivious to what was going on around him. It was fairly obvious he had some type of developmental disorder, and I felt bad for a minute, but he seemed pretty happy so I got over it. The mother and I talked for a few minutes on what she wanted done, and we went over how we were going to do everything. Standard business. The boy was quiet as a church mouse the entire time.
We went out to the van to grab our tools and drop cloths, and went back in the house to begin our work. I spread the drop cloth out on the floor and began setting my tools out while Andy went back to the van to grab cables. The boy was still watching Barney, completely transfixed by this green and purple monster that I have grown to loathe over the years. I told the mother I needed to move the television so we could work, which of course meant it had to be turned off and unplugged. The mother called to the boy and told him Barney had to go for now, but the boy either did not hear her, or just ignored her. Not wanting to wait around I walked over to the television and reached for the power button.
That was my fatal mistake. My had reached for the button and in a flash the boy flew from the couch and in less than a second grabbed onto my leg, and sank his teeth in. I YELLED out in surprise, not from pain but I was so completely taken off guard and surprised I didn't know what to do. The mother ran into the room to see what was going on and the kid was still latched onto my leg, and I had this look on my face that unfortunately words cannot describe. I looked down, and started shaking my leg and the kid still held on, teeth and everything. The mother looked like she was about to cry as she yelled "MATTHEW! YOU LET GO OF THAT MAN RIGHT NOW!" I didn't know what to do. It hurt a little bit, but again I was in so much shock from surprise and I was trying so hard not to laugh or say something I was going to regret later, as the whole brain/mouth filter is only somewhat functional and thats on a good day when I've had lots of sleep.
The poor mother became hysterical as I pulled up my pant leg to reveal some VERY clear teeth marks. Andy walked in at that very second and wanted to know what was going on. The poor woman started crying as I told Andy what happened, she was so scared that I was going to sue her or something. I didn't know what to do, so I just started laughing, and then Andy started laughing, and I think that made her feel better and I reassured her that everything was fine. The rest of the install was very awkward, moreso than most of the ones that I have been to where I have encountered something dirty. I think it was because it was the first and only time I have been bit on the job...
All I heard out of Andy on the way home was "HAHAHAHA YOU GOT BIT BY A RE......."