ABSTRACT
Paul, age 52, retired military officer, sits behind the wheel of his car in stop-and-go traffic. He checks his watch every few minutes; each minute that passes adds to his frustration. He will be late again, thanks to his doctor and her inefficient waiting room. His belly pushes uncomfortably against the steering wheel as he pops one of the blood pressure control pills his doctor prescribed. He has no water and nearly chokes getting the pill down, which sends him into a panic. He will surely lose his mind if he cannot get out of this traffic jam. Finally, the cars ahead begin to move; relieved, Paul creeps forward behind them. A few minutes later, a truck, blaring irritating pop music, pulls by on the shoulder and cuts ahead of Paul, stopping his progress. Paul’s heart rate leaps up again. This is the last straw. Paul reaches into the backseat and grabs the heaviest thing he can find, an iron jack. Stepping out of his car, veins pulsating in his head, Paul can think of nothing but teaching the truck’s driver a lesson…
