Woman Calls AAA When Date Fails to Open Her Car Door
WORCHESTERSHIRE, MA (Disassociated Press) November 27, 2003 – Penelope Vandersmeer is a lady. “I’m old fashioned, I guess – that’s just how I am.” That became obvious when this 34 year old Worcestershire native made a call to AAA the other night that took dispatcher, Ken Bribin, by surprise.
“She said that she needed to have someone come out and open her car door, because her date apparently wasn’t going to do it,” said Bribin. Scott McAllister, 35, of nearby Morbrysburgville, said that he couldn’t understand why Ms. Vandersmeer remained sitting in the car after he had pulled her car into the parking lot of her complex, returning there from a dinner date. The two had taken her car because “it was roomier,” and Ms. Vandersmeer had asked McAllister to drive.
“She just sat in there, and didn’t get out – I thought maybe she was having a moment, or something. It never occurred to me that she had wanted me to come and open her door.” After waiting for McAllister for about five minutes, Ms. Vandersmeer used her cell phone to contact AAA. A service truck arrived about 15 minutes after that.
“She has a premium membership, so she’s entitled to four service calls a year,” said Heck Grimes, the tow truck driver. “Whether it’s to pull a vehicle out of a ditch, or to have a car door opened after a date, the member can get four road calls for whatever they want.”
“I just think a lady should have her car door opened for her after a date – that’s all,” surmised Ms. Vandersmeer.