Story Submitted by Tom:
Tricia was a friend of my friend Jillian. Jillian brought me to the bookstore where Tricia worked to introduce us, and we hit it off.
For our first date, I took Tricia out for lunch at a Dave & Buster's. Everything went well, except for the part where she grabbed my arm and told me that she really wanted to leave. This was after we had been there for close to five minutes.
I thought that she was having a panic attack, and so I sat her down and gave her some water.
"We can go if you want to," I said.
She said, "No, it's okay. I think I'll be all right. Just don't leave me alone."
I hadn't planned on leaving her alone, and I kept a close eye on her. After a few minutes, she was fine, and the rest of the date went as if the incident didn't happen at all.
That night, after midnight, I was in bed, on my way to sleep. Then, Jillian called. She was mad:
"What's the big idea with Tricia? Who do you think you are? She told me that you tried to force yourself on her."
I shot up in bed, no longer tired. "What?! I did nothing of the kind! She had a panic attack and then we had a good time. We were out in public for the entire date."
"She told me that you tried to force her into a bathroom for sex."
"She's lying! I wouldn't do anything like that."
Jillian became angrier, and I told her that I'd call Tricia to straighten it all out. I called Tricia immediately and left a voicemail.
I tried her again the next day and she picked up.
I demanded, "Why did you tell Jillian that I tried to force myself on you?"
Tricia said, "I'll tell her that I made it up if you take me out on a second date."
"But why would you lie about it, like you did, in the first place?"
"Because I wanted to go out on a second date and I didn't think that you would ask me otherwise."
"Thanks."
I hung up and called Jillian. I played her the recording that I had just made of the Tricia conversation. That was the end of my relationship with Tricia.
That's pretty shiesty on both your accounts. I know that in MD, it's illegal to record someone without their knowledge. Granted, it's not like you were getting all Linda Tripp on her, but still.
ReplyDeleteI think he was smart to have the foresight to record.
DeleteIn many states, it's legal as long as one person in the conversation knows that the recording is happening. Since we don't know where this happened, we can't make any assumptions as to legality.
Wow... that is psycho. Maybe re-evaluate your friendship with Jillian if she is hanging out with crazies like that. Also, wag of the finger on recording a conversation.... But, I do see where you are coming from.
ReplyDeleteI don't know whether to applaud or fear his foresight in recording the convo.
ReplyDeleteThough I suppose everything worked out for the best.
This is an effing terrifying story.
ReplyDeleteAre you all seriously giving him shit for recording the conversation? Really? The girl was accusing him of rape, and he was using it to clear his name to his friend, not in a court of law (thank gawd it didn't come to that).
I think he did the right thing by recording the conversation. You never know...next time she could might be screaming rape.
ReplyDeleteI agree that recording the conversations was the only way to go on this one. Good job OP.
ReplyDeleteI think it would have been best to go on a second date...
ReplyDeleteI'd say you should quit hanging out with Jillian if she is automatically willing to believe that of you. How long have you been friends with her?
ReplyDeleteI agree with Baku-chan. and from what I know, the laws on recording conversations are in regards to using the recordings in court. So using them to clear your good name with your friend should be ok...
ReplyDeleteSo far as I know, you're wrong. I believe the laws in the U.S. do in fact pertain to the act of recording. If that weren't so, people could easily spy on each other without any legal repercussions.
DeleteI think we can all agree on the relative morality of recording a psychopath to clear your name. Good on you! But in most states it is illegal to record any conversation, telephone or otherwise, without consent of the parties involved. More importantly, this line of argument is detracting from the real issue here:
ReplyDeleteA Dave & Buster's? A panic attack seems like a totally understandable response.