[legion]

I had a similar incident a few weeks ago. I pulled my F150 into a parking space at work. (I pulled through an empty space so that the truck would be pointing out.) I looked to the right to grab my PDA and opened my door. Maybe 10 seconds had passed between when I shut off the engine and opened the door. I let the door go because no one was next to me...

Well, the metallic "thunk" caught be by surprise.

Someone had pulled right next to me...in an otherwise empty parking lot. A little red Dodge Neon SRT4.

I got out and waited for the lady driving the Neon to get out...

Her first words, "My husband is going to kill me."

Me: "Don't worry, I'll pay for it. You must have pulled in while I was opening my door (a statement I still stand by)."

Her: "I absolutely did not. Hold on..." (Nextels her husband.) "Hun, I just pulled into a parking space at work and the guy next to me dinged my door. What should I do?"

Husband over Nextel: "Tell him to f***ing pay for it!"

She ended up taking the car to a dentless repair place. I ended up paying her $75.

Funny thing is, she's just been assigned to one of my projects. She's an external project support person (basically takes notes at meetings and does other administrative things). Funny thing is, she spends all her time complaining loudly that she doesn't know how to do whatever task she has been assigned (like putting numbers in a spreadsheet). Our PM ends up doing her work, and she sits around and hangs out with floor support (people who get you paper clips and such). I don't think she'll be around long.

My point, I knew the lady I was dealing with was going to be a total *****, but I paid her anyway because it wasn't worth the hassle. In the end she didn't try to screw me (thankfully).